Resignations Follow Artforum Editor’s Firing Over Gaza Ceasefire Letter

Four Artforum Staffers Resign

Four Artforum employees have resigned as a result of the firing of the publication’s former editor, David Velasco. Their departure followed the controversial publication of an open letter on the Gaza conflict by Artforum.

Resignations Announced

• Kate Sutton, Artforum’s assistant editor since 2018, officially resigned Friday.
• On Sunday, Artforum executive editors Jack Hatfield and Chloe Wyma also announced their resignations.
• Emily LaBarge, the London-based contributor who curated the international proposals, has also severed ties with Artforum.

Reasons for Resignations

Chloe Wyma explained her resignation, stating, “The firing of David Velasco violates everything I had cherished about the magazine and makes my work there untenable.”

Prominent Artists Take a Stand

Prominent artists Nan Goldin and Nicole Eisenman have announced that they will no longer work with Artforum. Nan Goldin described the current environment as the most “chilling period” she has ever lived through.

Controversy Over Gaza Ceasefire Letter

Shot by David Velasco, ArtForum published an open letter calling for a ceasefire in Gaza on October 19. The letter, signed by thousands of artists, also appeared on E-Flux and Hyperallergic and was initially distributed as a Google document before it was officially published on these websites and on ArtForum. Velasco and several other Artforum employees signed the letter, although it is unclear if he wrote it originally.

Content of the Gaza Ceasefire Letter

We support Palestinian independence and call for an end to all killings and injuries of civilians, an immediate ceasefire, delivery of humanitarian aid to Gaza and an end to consumption of our institutions,” the letter reads the force’s involvement in human rights violations and war crimes.” on Artforum

Controversy and Backlash

After the paper was published, it faced backlash, including criticism from businessmen Dominic Levy, Brett Gorvey and Amalia Dayan, who criticised it for not mentioning the Oct. 16 Hamas attack. 7, which resulted in the death of 1,400 Israelites and the taking of 200 captives Another letter signed by prominent businessmen and artists began circulating in response to what the anonymous publication called an “ignorant letter.” This second called for “sympathy” for Hamas’ attacks rejected but did not mention the thousands of Gazans who have been killed by Israeli airstrikes , the local health ministry reported

Artforum’s Response

ArtForum’s post on the Gaza conflict was amended, taking out “disgusting” references to the Hamas attack and a preamble stating that the post was “neither organised, directed nor directed by ArtForum or its staff.” began,” and some names were omitted from the list of signatories . Artforum publishers Daniel McConnell and Kate Koza posted on Artforum’s website that the paper was published without prior knowledge or involvement of the necessary senior editorial staff. It was emphasized that this work was not in accordance with Artforum’s editorial policy.

David Velasco’s Response

Following its closure, David Velasco, editor since 2017, expressed, “I’m disappointed. I’m disappointed that a magazine that has always stood for free speech and the voice of artists has bowed to outside pressure.”

Penske Media Corporation’s Response

Penske Media Corporation, the owner of both ARTnews and Artforum, has not responded to requests for comment on the matter.

Feature Image: Artforum editor David Velasco in All the Beauty and the Bloodshed, dir. Nan Goldin, 2022. © Neon. Courtesy Everett Collection

Over 2,000 Artists and Cultural Figures Demand Immediate Ceasefire in Gaza