Panel on Ken Johnson Affair at Kunsthalle Galapagos to Scrutinize Critic's Reviews

A panel discussion titled 'Critical Inversions – Artist to Critic, and the Publics in Between' is scheduled for Wednesday, January 30 at Kunsthalle Galapagos, located at 16 Main Street in Dumbo, as part of the institution's This Red Door program. The event will further examine the controversial reviews by New York Times critic Ken Johnson, which sparked debate over race and gender. Moderators include Joan Waltemath, an artcritical contributing editor, along with Christopher Stackhouse and Jomar Statkun, who invited Waltemath after reading her contributions to artcritical's roundtable discussions. Artists Lisa Corinne Davis and Anoka Faruqee will join Johnson on the podium; Faruqee co-authored an open letter challenging Johnson's remarks. The panel announcement hints at possible special guests and describes the discussion as focusing on cultural production, societal value, and critical assessment of art artifacts, though it omits mention of gender or race. Waltemath previously questioned whether Johnson's approach, if more sensitive, could have spurred needed dialogue, urging participants to seize this rare moment of open issues. Despite the heavy tone of the announcement, the presence of Davis, a woman of color and veteran educator, and Waltemath's moderation suggests civility will prevail, though resolution of the affair may not be achieved.