National Academy Members Defend Dana Schutz Exhibition at ICA Boston Against Cancellation Calls
Over 70 members of the National Academy sent an open letter on Thursday evening supporting Dana Schutz and the Institute of Contemporary Art Boston. The letter responds to demands from local Boston artists and community members to cancel Schutz's exhibition at ICA Boston. These demands stem from controversy surrounding Schutz's 2016 painting Open Casket, which was exhibited at the 2017 Whitney Biennial and depicts Emmett Till's disfigured body. The signatories, including prominent artists Judith Bernstein, Ed Ruscha, Dread Scott, and Kara Walker, argue that institutions should resist censorship and maintain dialogue. They emphasize that Open Casket is not included in the ICA Boston exhibition. The letter urges artists to avoid intolerance and tyranny toward each other. Schutz's exhibition remains on view until November 26, 2017. Additional signatories include Marina Abramovic, Cindy Sherman, Catherine Opie, and Annabelle Selldorf.
Key facts
- Over 70 National Academy members signed an open letter supporting Dana Schutz and ICA Boston
- The letter was sent via email on Thursday evening
- Local Boston artists and community members called for cancellation of Schutz's ICA Boston exhibition
- Controversy centers on Schutz's painting Open Casket from 2016
- Open Casket was exhibited at the 2017 Whitney Biennial
- The painting depicts Emmett Till's disfigured body in a casket
- Open Casket is not included in the ICA Boston exhibition
- Schutz's exhibition at ICA Boston runs until November 26, 2017
Entities
Artists
- Dana Schutz
- Judith Bernstein
- Ed Ruscha
- Dread Scott
- Kara Walker
- Marina Abramovic
- Polly Apfelbaum
- Robert Birmelin
- Willard Boepple
- Richard Bosman
- Gregory Botts
- Pau Broches
- Henry Casselli
- Walter Chatham
- William Clutz
- Lisa Corinne Davis
- Donna Dennis
- Jane Dickson
- Rackstraw Downes
- Jackie Ferrara
- Louise Fishman
- Andrew Ginzel
- Jacqueline Gourevitch
- Philip Grausman
- Barbara Grossman
- Richard Haas
- Ann Hamilton
- Walter Hatke
- Julie Heffernan
- Nona Hershey
- Diana Horowitz
- David Humphrey
- Valerie Jaudon
- Roberto Juarez
- Harriet Korman
- Joyce Kozloff
- Tuck Langland
- Jonathan Lasker
- Alfred Leslie
- James McGarrell
- Melissa Meyer
- Raoul Middleman
- Catherine Opie
- Tom Otterness
- Anthony Panzera
- Philip Pearlstein
- Judy Pfaff
- Joseph Santore
- Annabelle Selldorf
- Arlene Shechet
- Laura Shechter
- Cindy Sherman
- Richard Sloat
- Gary Stephan
- Jessica Stockholder
- Altoon Sultan
- Barbara Takenaga
- Claire Van Vliet
- Susan Jane Walp
- Sharon Wandel
- Leslie Wayne
- Stephen Westfall
- Jack Whitten
- Emmett Till
Institutions
- National Academy
- Institute of Contemporary Art Boston
- Whitney Biennial
- ArtReview
Locations
- Boston
- United States