National Academy Members Defend Dana Schutz Exhibition at ICA Boston Against Cancellation Calls

Over 70 members of the National Academy sent an open letter on Thursday evening supporting Dana Schutz and the Institute of Contemporary Art Boston. The letter responds to demands from local Boston artists and community members to cancel Schutz's exhibition at ICA Boston. These demands stem from controversy surrounding Schutz's 2016 painting Open Casket, which was exhibited at the 2017 Whitney Biennial and depicts Emmett Till's disfigured body. The signatories, including prominent artists Judith Bernstein, Ed Ruscha, Dread Scott, and Kara Walker, argue that institutions should resist censorship and maintain dialogue. They emphasize that Open Casket is not included in the ICA Boston exhibition. The letter urges artists to avoid intolerance and tyranny toward each other. Schutz's exhibition remains on view until November 26, 2017. Additional signatories include Marina Abramovic, Cindy Sherman, Catherine Opie, and Annabelle Selldorf.