Artists Withdraw from Wisconsin Triennial Over Alleged Mistreatment of Black Women

Eleven of twenty-three artists have removed their work from the 2022 Wisconsin Triennial at the Madison Museum of Contemporary Arts, citing institutional failures. An open letter demands the resignation of director Christina Brungardt, accusing leadership of shameful mistreatment toward Black artists, contractors, and staff. Curated by Fatima Laster, the exhibition Ain’t I A Woman focused on Black women artists in Wisconsin, addressing race and gender intersections. Complaints include physical intimidation of artist Lilada Gee by a white staffer from the adjacent Overture Center for the Arts and defacement of her installation by museum guests. Brungardt allegedly asked Gee if guests could keep the vandalized artwork, attempting to de-escalate. Artists and the curator were under-compensated, according to the letter. The museum is blamed for failing to protect participants and artwork, with resources mismanaged by leadership. The incident highlights ongoing issues of representation and care in institutional settings.