Indiana University Cancels Samia Halaby Retrospective Citing Safety Concerns
The Eskenazi Museum of Art at Indiana University has decided to cancel a retrospective for Palestinian artist Samia Halaby, which was set for February 10, due to unspecified safety issues. This exhibition would have marked Halaby's first retrospective in the United States, showcasing early pieces and more than 20 loans. A catalogue titled Samia Halaby: Centres of Energy is currently available for pre-order. Meanwhile, a related exhibition at Michigan State University's Broad Art Museum is still scheduled for late 2024. Halaby learned of the cancellation on December 20, 2023, after three years of preparation. She reached out to IU president Pamela Whitten for support but received no reply and has initiated a public petition for reinstatement. Halaby actively expresses her pro-Palestinian views amid the ongoing Israel-Gaza conflict.
Key facts
- Eskenazi Museum of Art at Indiana University canceled Samia Halaby retrospective
- Exhibition was scheduled to open February 10, 2024
- Would have been Halaby's first US retrospective
- Catalogue 'Samia Halaby: Centres of Energy' still available for pre-sale via University of Chicago Press
- Sister exhibition at Michigan State University Broad Art Museum planned for late 2024 still proceeding
- Halaby informed of cancellation on December 20, 2023
- Halaby appealed to IU president Pamela Whitten with no reply
- Public petition filed to reinstate exhibition
Entities
Artists
- Samia Halaby
Institutions
- Eskenazi Museum of Art at Indiana University
- Indiana University
- University of Chicago Press
- Michigan State University Broad Art Museum
- Samia Halaby Foundation
Locations
- Indiana
- United States
- Michigan