Warren Kanders resigns from Whitney board after artist protests over weapons manufacturing ties
Warren Kanders stepped down from his position as deputy chair of the Whitney Museum's board following demonstrations regarding his connections to the defense sector. He is the founder of Safariland LLC, which produces riot gear and chemical weapons utilized by governments in Turkey, Bahrain, and Kuwait, as well as by law enforcement agencies in the U.S. In his resignation letter, Kanders mentioned a "targeted campaign of attacks" against him and his business that jeopardized the museum's mission. Recently, eight artists withdrew from the Whitney Biennial, protesting the museum's failure to act on Kanders. Previous demonstrations had seen hundreds of artists and museum staff demanding his removal. Kanders, whose net worth is $700 million, had defended his company's product applications.
Key facts
- Warren Kanders resigned as deputy chair of the Whitney Museum board.
- Kanders is founder of Safariland LLC, a weapons manufacturer based in Jacksonville, Florida.
- Safariland products include riot gear and chemical munitions used by governments in Turkey, Bahrain, and Kuwait.
- Eight artists withdrew from the Whitney Biennial in protest: Eddie Arroyo, Agustina Woodgate, Korakrit Arunanondchai, Meriem Bennani, Nicole Eisenman, Forensic Architecture, Nicholas Galanin, Christine Sun Kim.
- Artists cited the museum's inertia regarding concerns over Kanders and his technologies of violence.
- Hundreds of artists and theorists called for Kanders's removal in March, following demands by museum staff in December.
- Artist Michael Rakowitz turned down an invitation to exhibit at the biennial over the matter.
- Kanders is estimated to be worth $700 million.
Entities
Artists
- Warren Kanders
- Eddie Arroyo
- Agustina Woodgate
- Korakrit Arunanondchai
- Meriem Bennani
- Nicole Eisenman
- Nicholas Galanin
- Christine Sun Kim
- Michael Rakowitz
Institutions
- Whitney Museum
- Safariland LLC
- New York Times
- Whitney Biennial
- Forensic Architecture
Locations
- New York
- Jacksonville
- Florida
- Turkey
- Bahrain
- Kuwait
- Mexican border
- Palestine