An Exhibition in New York City Highlights Censored Artists and Issues a Warning

The Nathalie Karg Gallery in Lower Manhattan is currently hosting a poignant exhibition that intersects art and activism. Titled “Don’t Look Now: A Defense of Free Expression,” this show spotlights artists whose works have faced censorship challenges, thrusting them into the national dialogue about free speech and expression.

Curated by Barbara Pollack and Anne Verhallen from the nonprofit Art at a Time Like This, the exhibition, running until October 25, features art by creators who have experienced direct suppression. Some pieces were removed from displays or triggered the cancellation of entire exhibitions due to political or social controversies.

A notable artwork in the exhibition is “G is for Genocide” by Danielle SeeWalker, linked to the cancellation of her residency in Vail, Colorado. The American Civil Liberties Union intervened, resulting in a settled lawsuit that reignited conversations about artistic censorship and the stifling of indigenous voices.

Other works such as Andil Gosine’s “Magna Carta” highlight the artistic costs of ideological funding cuts. Originally intended for a show at the Art Museum of the Americas, it faced repercussions due to perceived associations with diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) initiatives.

Additional notable pieces include Margarita Cabrera’s “Space in Between – Nopal,” which was part of a broader discussion on the Smithsonian’s alleged self-censorship, and Evan Apodaca’s “Monumental Interventions,” reportedly removed from the San Diego Airport for its critique of the military.

This exhibition underscores the potent role art plays in speaking to power, a sentiment echoed by Pollack, who emphasized the enduring vulnerability of artistic expression under authoritarian scrutiny. The display invites viewers to engage deeply with art that challenges prevailing sociopolitical narratives and advocates for the necessity and resilience of free expression.

The show is not just an artistic display but a call to action, emphasizing the need for vigilance and support in safeguarding freedom of expression against rising censorship trends. Through it, Art at a Time Like This aspires to inspire dialogue and reflection on the intrinsic link between art and democracy.