Artist Jonathan Allen Covers Whitney Museum Screens with Gaza Protest Messages
On July 2, 2026, at 10:30 PM, artist Jonathan Allen displayed pro-Palestine messages on two digital billboards situated outside the Whitney Museum of American Art in Manhattan. This action was part of his ongoing series "Interruptions" (2017–present). One of the screens referenced a UN report from June 2026, which claimed that Israeli forces had targeted Palestinian children, while the other featured quotes from activists Angela Davis and Ta-Nehisi Coates regarding genocide and democracy. The museum took down the displays on July 3, citing a strict "zero-tolerance policy for vandalism." The right-wing group Stop Antisemitism condemned Allen, who intended to draw attention to the humanitarian crisis in Gaza. The Whitney Biennial has previously faced criticism for its political views and had canceled a performance related to Palestinian mourning.
Key facts
- Jonathan Allen painted over two digital screens outside the Whitney Museum on July 2, 2026, at around 10:30pm.
- The installations are the 438th and 439th installments of his series 'Interruptions' (2017–present).
- One screen quoted a June 2026 UN report: 'The Israeli forces have deliberately targeted and killed Palestinian children.'
- The other screen quoted Ta-Nehisi Coates from a 2025 conversation with Angela Davis at the University of Michigan.
- The quote read: 'If you can't draw the line at genocide, you probably can't draw the line at democracy.'
- The Whitney Museum removed the installations on July 3, citing a zero-tolerance policy for vandalism.
- The right-wing account Stop Antisemitism accused Allen of vilifying Jews; Allen denies this.
- Allen said the purpose was to focus attention on the humanitarian catastrophe in Gaza and challenge the apolitical nature of art settings.
Entities
Artists
- Jonathan Allen
- Angela Davis
- Ta-Nehisi Coates
- Kamala Harris
Institutions
- Whitney Museum of American Art
- United Nations
- University of Michigan
- Stop Antisemitism
- Hyperallergic
Locations
- New York City
- Manhattan
- Gaza
- United States