Hide/Seek Exhibition Controversy and Critique of Gay Portraiture
The exhibition titled 'Hide/Seek: Difference and Desire in American Portraiture' sparked significant debate at the National Portrait Gallery prior to its relocation to the Brooklyn Museum (Nov 18, 2011–Feb 12, 2012) and the Tacoma Art Museum (Mar 17–Jun 10, 2012). Curated by David Ward and Jonathan Katz, it showcased 105 pieces from artists such as Thomas Eakins, Andy Warhol, and Nan Goldin, emphasizing themes of sexual identity within American portraiture. Following a demand from Bill Donohue of the Catholic League for the removal of David Wojnarowicz's video 'A Fire in My Belly,' the Smithsonian complied, prompting protests from 14 institutions. The Andy Warhol Museum threatened to withdraw funding unless the video was restored. Critic Frédérique Joseph-Lowery remarked on the absence of heterosexual artists.
Key facts
- Exhibition 'Hide/Seek' traveled from National Portrait Gallery to Brooklyn Museum and Tacoma Art Museum.
- Controversy over David Wojnarowicz's video 'A Fire in My Belly' led to its removal.
- 14 galleries, universities, and museums showed solidarity by screening the removed video.
- MoMA acquired the Wojnarowicz video.
- AA Bronson requested removal of his photograph of Felix Partz on his deathbed.
- Two people arrested for showing the video on phones outside the museum.
- Andy Warhol Museum vowed to stop funding National Portrait Gallery unless film reinstated.
- Critic Joseph-Lowery questioned exclusion of heterosexual feminist artists like Cindy Sherman.
Entities
Artists
- Thomas Eakins
- John Singer Sargent
- George Bellows
- Jasper Johns
- Robert Rauschenberg
- Andy Warhol
- Keith Haring
- Nan Goldin
- David Wojnarowicz
- AA Bronson
- Felix Partz
- Martha Wilson
- Cindy Sherman
- Marsden Hartley
- Pavel Tchelitchew
- Georgia O'Keeffe
- Alfred Stieglitz
- Paul Cadmus
- Deborah Bright
- Matthew Barney
- Félicien Rops
- Judith Butler
- Frédérique Joseph-Lowery
Institutions
- National Portrait Gallery
- Brooklyn Museum
- Tacoma Art Museum
- Catholic League
- Museum of Modern Art (MoMA)
- Andy Warhol Museum
- Smithsonian Institution
- General Idea
Locations
- Washington, D.C.
- New York City
- Tacoma, Washington
- Pittsburgh
- United States
Sources
- artpress —