National Park Service Removes Joel Shapiro Sculpture from Kennedy Center
Yesterday, the National Park Service took down a 24-foot blue sculpture created by Joel Shapiro from the John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts, leading to backlash from art critics who view the action as politically charged. They described the decision as 'petty' and speculated about potential influence from the Trump administration on cultural institutions. In other news, the newsletter highlights Teju Adisa-Farrar’s work on Black American natural dyeing traditions, part of a series from the 2025 Craft Archive Fellows. Additionally, Israeli Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich has called for the removal of 40 Palestinian memorials, alongside a New York exhibition featuring Snoopy and the Gwangju Biennale's agreement to host a 'Taiwan Pavilion.' The piece also honors sculptor Geles Cabrera, street artist Helch, and photographer Jay Maisel.
Key facts
- The National Park Service removed a 24-foot-tall bright-blue Joel Shapiro sculpture from outside the Kennedy Center without stating a reason.
- The removal occurred yesterday.
- Critics have slammed the removal as 'petty' and politically motivated.
- Joel Shapiro is a late artist known for quasi-abstract, dynamic stick-figure artworks.
- Teju Adisa-Farrar wrote a piece on Black American natural dyeing traditions, part of a series by 2025 Craft Archive Fellows in collaboration with the Center for Craft.
- The piece discusses the history of natural pigments, including indigo and its ties to enslaved labor.
- Israeli Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich demanded the dismantling of 40 Palestinian memorials in the West Bank.
- The Smithsonian's board of regents voted to house the National Museum of the American Latino in the Arts and Industries Building.
- The Gwangju Biennale Foundation agreed to allow the name 'Taiwan Pavilion' after artists protested.
- The newsletter remembers Geles Cabrera, Helch, and Jay Maisel.
Entities
Artists
- Joel Shapiro
- Teju Adisa-Farrar
- Geles Cabrera
- Helch
- Jay Maisel
Institutions
- National Park Service
- Kennedy Center
- Center for Craft
- Smithsonian
- National Museum of the American Latino
- Gwangju Biennale Foundation
- Venice Biennale
- Italian Culture Ministry
- European Commission
- Craft Archive Fellows
Locations
- Washington, D.C.
- United States
- West Bank
- New York City
- Venice
- Italy
- Gwangju
- South Korea