California Biennial Censors Ben Sakoguchi's Swastika Artwork Weeks Before Opening

Due to concerns regarding swastika imagery, the Orange County Museum of Art has decided to withdraw Ben Sakoguchi's installation Comparative Religions 101, created between 2014 and 2019, from the California Biennial. The 84-year-old Pasadena artist was chosen in June and had completed the loan paperwork for the sixteen-panel work. Courtenay Finn, the museum's chief curator, expressed apprehensions from the education department about potentially offending visitors. Although Sakoguchi provided context and educational resources about the symbols, including a swastika on a flag associated with Emperor Hirohito, he was informed two days later that his work would not be displayed. The biennial, titled 'Pacific Gold,' showcases 19 California artists and was curated by Elizabeth Armstrong, Essence Harden, and Gilbert Vicario. Sakoguchi asserts that curators pursued a replacement without his agreement.