Aruna D'Souza's 'Whitewalling' Examines Artworld Racism Through Three Controversial Protests
Aruna D'Souza's 'Whitewalling: Art, Race & Protest in 3 Acts' delves into racial issues within the art sector, centering on three exhibitions in New York. The 2017 Whitney Biennial showcased Dana Schutz's 'Open Casket' (2016), which ignited protests from black artists such as Hannah Black and received critiques from Aria Dean. Supporters emphasized free speech, neglecting the topic of institutional antiblackness. Donald Newman’s 1979 work, 'The N***** Drawings,' drew criticism but was defended by white commentators. Additionally, the 1969 'Harlem on My Mind' at the Metropolitan Museum omitted black artists, with curator Allon Schoener evading accountability. D'Souza's book, born from social media debates, challenges liberal racism and advocates for historical responsibility, spotlighting the Black Emergency Cultural Coalition and artists pushing for systemic reform.
Key facts
- Aruna D'Souza's book 'Whitewalling: Art, Race & Protest in 3 Acts' was published in Summer 2018.
- It examines three New York exhibitions protested for antiblackness: the 2017 Whitney Biennial, Donald Newman's 1979 show at Artists Space, and the Met's 1969 'Harlem on My Mind'.
- Dana Schutz's painting 'Open Casket' (2016) at the 2017 Whitney Biennial depicted Emmett Till and sparked protests from black artists.
- Hannah Black called for the painting's destruction, while Aria Dean highlighted the 'conceptual impossibility' of nonblack identification.
- White defenders like Douglas Crimp, Craig Owens, and Roberta Smith invoked artistic freedom in the 1979 Artists Space controversy.
- Allon Schoener, curator of 'Harlem on My Mind', dismissed responsibility for including black artists.
- The book cites artworks by protest participants Parker Bright and Pastiche Lumumba and praises the Black Emergency Cultural Coalition.
- Paul Chan of Badlands Unlimited stated it was the only U.S. book on art and race in its trade season.
Entities
Artists
- Aruna D'Souza
- Dana Schutz
- Emmett Till
- Hannah Black
- Aria Dean
- Donald Newman
- Douglas Crimp
- Craig Owens
- Roberta Smith
- Allon Schoener
- Parker Bright
- Pastiche Lumumba
- Benny Andrews
- Janet Henry
- Howardena Pindell
- Paul Chan
Institutions
- ArtReview Asia
- Whitney Biennial
- Artists Space
- Metropolitan Museum
- Badlands Unlimited
- Black Emergency Cultural Coalition
Locations
- New York
- United States