ARTFEED — Contemporary Art Intelligence

John Galliano Withdraws from Met Exhibition Amid Backlash

institutional · 2026-09-05

John Galliano, the British designer who faced a guilty verdict for antisemitic and anti-Asian remarks in France back in 2011, has chosen to withdraw from an upcoming exhibition at the Costume Institute of the Metropolitan Museum of Art that’s set for the 2027 Met Gala, following negative public reactions. In another development, the National Park Service removed a 24-foot sculpture by Joel Shapiro from the John F. Kennedy Center after it faced scrutiny. Concerns arose among staff during a VIP viewing of the Bayeux tapestry at the British Museum, which was attended by Peter Thiel. Tributes flooded in globally after Yayoi Kusama passed away. In Vienna, thieves stole a necklace from the Museum of Applied Arts, and protests erupted in Tbilisi over demolitions at Rike Park. Mildred Howard was honored with the Artists' Legacy Foundation Award.

Key facts

  • John Galliano withdrew from an exhibition at The Met's Costume Institute after public and donor outcry over his past racist behavior.
  • The exhibition was to run concurrently with the 2027 Met Gala.
  • Galliano was convicted of antisemitic and anti-Asian hate speech in France in 2011.
  • The National Park Service deinstalled a 24-foot-tall sculpture by Joel Shapiro from the Kennedy Center.
  • The British Museum hosted Peter Thiel for a VIP viewing of the Bayeux tapestry.
  • Yayoi Kusama passed away, prompting worldwide reactions.
  • A platinum and diamond necklace was stolen from the Museum of Applied Arts in Vienna.
  • Demolitions at Rike Park Music Theatre in Tbilisi sparked outcry.

Entities

Artists

Institutions

Locations

  • Chicago
  • France
  • New York City
  • Washington, D.C.
  • London
  • Vienna
  • Tbilisi
  • Georgia
  • Springs
  • East Hampton
  • Bruges
  • Belgium
  • Austin
  • Texas
  • Los Angeles
  • Upstate New York
  • Liberia
  • Windward Coast
  • US Lowcountry
  • Erie Canal
  • Occupied West Bank

Sources