Serralves Museum Censors Mapplethorpe Show, Prompting Artistic Director's Resignation

João Ribas, the artistic director of Porto's Serralves Museum, resigned after the institution removed 20 works from the exhibition 'Robert Mapplethorpe: Pictures,' which he curated. The museum, citing its annual visitation of nearly one million people including many children and schools, implemented age-restricted access to two rooms, claiming all 159 selected works are displayed despite an original count of 179. In a statement, Serralves Foundation asserted the need to alert visitors about certain content in compliance with legislation. Over 150 international artists and arts professionals signed an open letter condemning the foundation's actions, addressed to its president Ana Pinho. The exhibition was commissioned by Ribas, who had assumed the artistic director role eight months prior. The controversy, reported by Público, unfolded on 24 September 2018.