In a bizarre turn of events, what was believed to be valuable artworks by Pablo Picasso turned out to be fake, with the revelation that the curator of a women-only exhibition had painted them herself. The scandal unfolded at Tasmania’s Museum of Old and New Art (MONA) when questions arose about the authenticity of the paintings, leading to a shocking admission by Kirsha Kaechele.

The controversy began when Kaechele created a women-only space in 2020 at MONA, meant to challenge the historical exclusion of women from male-dominated spaces. The so-called Ladies Lounge featured fake paintings, antiquities, and jewelry, alongside extravagant services like high tea and massages. The most significant twist was the presentation of the fake paintings as genuine masterpieces by renowned artists, including Picasso.

The exhibition came under scrutiny when men were denied entry, prompting a legal battle that eventually revealed the true nature of the artworks. Despite the controversy and legal challenges, Kaechele remained defiant, going as far as converting the space into a women’s restroom to circumvent the court ruling.

The scandal sparked international headlines and raised questions about the nature of art and authenticity. While the true Picasso paintings remain a mystery, the saga at MONA will go down in history as a bizarre and audacious art scandal.