Tai Shani Cancels Phaidon Monograph Over Owner Leon Black's Epstein Connections

British artist Tai Shani has terminated a planned book project with publisher Phaidon, citing owner Leon Black's extensive connections to convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein. Black, a billionaire private equity investor and MoMA trustee, acquired Phaidon in 2012. His financial relationship with Epstein involved payments totaling $158 million for advisory services. Recently unsealed court documents mention Black's name over 8,200 times, containing what Shani described as 'numerous horrific allegations' in an Instagram statement. Shani's decision follows the 2021 precedent set by activist collective Guerilla Girls, who similarly canceled their Phaidon publication contract over Black's Epstein ties. In her social media post, Shani emphasized the human impact behind the scandal, noting victims included 'young women, children, often from precarious backgrounds' whose suffering 'must be acknowledged.' The artist framed her action as part of broader demands for accountability within art world power structures.