The Brooklyn Museum recently found itself in the midst of controversy as a group of artists participating in the Brooklyn Artists Exhibition took a stand for Palestine. The artists, including Aisha Tandiwe Bell, Wendy Cohen, and Chitra Ganesh, among others, handed out flyers at the museum’s entrance with a strong message calling for an end to the genocide in Palestine. They urged the institution to publicly denounce Israel’s attacks on Gaza and requested to add keffiyehs, symbols of Palestinian solidarity, to their artwork displays.
The artists’ demands were supported by nearly two dozen community groups and local collectives who sent a letter to the museum’s leadership. The exhibition, which opened in October and closes this month, became a platform for the artists to advocate for justice and human rights.
The artists initially asked to modify their artwork displays by hanging keffiyehs next to their pieces as a collective artistic intervention. However, the museum declined, citing the artists’ agreement to display their works as submitted. The artists, including Catherine Tafur and Ronen Gamil, expressed disappointment in the museum’s decision and emphasized the importance of condemning genocide and supporting oppressed communities.
The Brooklyn Museum’s history of political action and support for freedom of expression was highlighted, with past protests and controversies shaping its legacy. The institution’s commitment to social justice was called into question by some, who viewed its silence on Palestine as contradictory.
Despite being given the option to remove their artworks from the exhibition, the artists chose to keep them on display and mobilize for their cause. Wendy Cohen, one of the participants, emphasized the importance of using their platform to advocate for human rights and challenge institutions like museums to take a stand.
The artists hope that the Brooklyn Museum will demonstrate social courage by breaking the silence on the atrocities in Palestine-Israel. By speaking out against genocide, they aim to promote justice and peace in the region. Cohen reiterated that their advocacy is rooted in love, family, and memory, all of which are essential components of our shared humanity and moral obligations.
