Royal Academy Faces Backlash Over Gaza-Themed Art Removal

Over 750 artists have condemned London’s Royal Academy of Arts for removing two student artworks addressing the Gaza conflict from its “Young Artists Summer Show.” The open letter, signed by notable figures like musician Brian Eno, visual artists Adam Broomberg and Nan Goldin, and filmmaker Mike Leigh, includes endorsements from over 100 Jewish-identifying creatives and was published by Artists for Palestine UK.

The controversy began after the Royal Academy removed the works following a July 15 complaint by the Board of Deputies of British Jews, which claimed the pieces perpetuated “antisemitic tropes,” as per a report by Artforum. The disputed artworks included a charcoal drawing by a 16-year-old named Andy, depicting women in hijabs before a swastika, and a photograph by 18-year-old Kausar, featuring a sign reading, “Jews say stop genocide on Palestinians: Not in Our Name.” A third piece, a portrayal of a fighter pilot with a Star of David by Royal Academician Michael Sandle, remained untouched.

“Far from protecting Jews, the RA is lending support to a racist, anti-Palestinian campaign that aims to silence expressions of support for Palestinian people,” the letter declares. The signatories demand the Royal Academy outline reparative measures for the harm caused by removing the young artists’ works and dehumanizing Palestinians.

Artists for Palestine UK has acknowledged that the academy has invited the organization to a discussion, seeing it as a chance for Palestinian and Jewish partners to collaborate with the Royal Academy towards repairing the cultural sector’s wounds.

Royal Academy of Arts
Burlington House, Piccadilly
London W1J 0BD
United Kingdom