Artists protest museum ethics over corporate sponsorships from arms, oil, and pharmaceutical industries
In July 2018, artists participating in 'Hope to Nope: Graphics and Politics 2008–18' at the Design Museum in London released an open letter titled 'Nope to Arms', objecting to the museum's decision to rent space to arms manufacturer Leonardo during the Farnborough Airshow. They requested the removal of their artworks, which the museum agreed to by the end of the month. This incident highlights a trend of artist activism against corporate funding, exemplified by Tate's termination of its BP partnership in 2017 and artists pulling out of the UK's Great Exhibition of the North due to BAE Systems' sponsorship. Nan Goldin protested the Sackler family's donations tied to Purdue Pharma, linked to the opioid crisis. The Design Museum maintained that its actions were essential for fundraising, while artists contended that museums should not be seen as neutral entities.
Key facts
- In late July 2018, artists in 'Hope to Nope' at London's Design Museum protested the museum renting space to weapons manufacturer Leonardo.
- Artists under 'Nope to Arms' demanded removal of their works, about a third of the exhibition, and the museum complied by month's end.
- Tate ended its sponsorship deal with BP in 2017 after long-running campaigns, though BP said the sponsorship had run its term.
- In March 2018, artists withdrew from the UK's Great Exhibition of the North over sponsor BAE Systems, leading to BAE's withdrawal.
- Nan Goldin protests Sackler family philanthropy due to Purdue Pharma's OxyContin, misrepresented since 1995, contributing to 115 daily US overdose deaths.
- In December 2017, Candice Breitz retitled her work 'Love Story' to 'Wilson Must Go' at the NGV Triennial, protesting Wilson Security's role in Australian detention centers.
- The 2014 Biennale of Sydney faced protests over sponsor Transfield (Broadspectrum), another detention center contractor.
- Hans Haacke's 1985 'MetroMobiltan' critiqued Mobil Oil's involvement in apartheid South Africa and the Met's complicity.
Entities
Artists
- Nope to Arms
- Nan Goldin
- Candice Breitz
- Hans Haacke
- Andrea Fraser
- Elizabeth A. Sackler
Institutions
- Design Museum
- Tate
- British Museum
- Royal Opera House
- National Gallery of Victoria
- Biennale of Sydney
- Metropolitan Museum of Art
- College Art Association
- Brooklyn Museum
- Elizabeth A Sackler Center for Feminist Art
- ArtReview
Locations
- London
- United Kingdom
- Farnborough
- South Africa
- Australia
- United States
- New York
- Sydney