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Accused of "white supremacism", curator of the San Francisco Museum of Modern Art resigns

2020-07-16T20:56:19.504Z


Gary Garrels said his institution would "reverse discriminate" if it decided to stop buying works from white artists.


Gary Garrels, curator of the San Francisco Museum of Modern Art (SFMOMA), has resigned after an uproar sparked by statements deemed discriminatory. An employee of the institution had told on Instagram, through the account @changethemuseum, how this recognized expert in the United States had concluded an intervention relating to the purchase of works signed by artists of color. " Don't worry, we will of course continue to incorporate works by white artists into our collections ," said Gary Garrels.

Last week, according to the Artnet site, during a teleconference with all the staff, the curator was taken to task by an employee asking him to come back to this statement. Gary Garrels had then argued that the museum could not stop acquiring works by white artists and that if he stopped, it would be " reverse discrimination ". The term "reverse discrimination" flourished in the 1970s and 1980s in the United States when the civic conquests of black Americans were seen by some whites as an attack on their own rights.

Read also: America haunted by a tenacious racial wound

The formula, strongly connoted, made jump. A group of former employees demanding a change within the museum thus drafted a petition calling for the resignation of the curator. At the time of publication, the text had 180 signatories. The departure of Gary Garrels from SFMOMA is non-negotiable , write the authors. Given his seniority, we wonder: how long had his toxic views as a white supremacist guided his artistic choices within the museum? "

As soon as these words were spoken, I realized that they were offensive.

Gary Garrels

In an email sent to his teams on Saturday, Gary Garrels made his " sincere apologies ". " As soon as these words were spoken, I realized that they were offensive, " he continues. The curator wishes to make it clear that he “ did not think that it is important to exhibit the works of white men, but that it is important not to stop having regard for the works of white men " Achieving diversity and de facto equality is the most important battle of our time. I want to do everything to contribute to this cause. But it seems to me that in the current context, I cannot continue working at SFMOMA in good conditions, ”he continues.

Troubled background

The resignation of the curator comes in a troubled context within the museum. During the confinement, the SFMOMA dismissed or reduced the schedules by more than 30% of its personnel. The institution has also been criticized for its treatment of employees - especially those of color - and more generally its management of diversity within its workforce.

Gary Garrels' term ends on July 31. Sarah Roberts, the director of the painting and sculpture departments at the museum, will replace her on an interim basis.

Source: lefigaro

All news articles on 2020-07-16

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