Two works will be removed from the Young Artists’ Summer Show at the Royal Academy of Arts (RA), in London, after an open letter from the Board of Deputies of British Jews raised “significant concerns” about their content.
In a letter posted to X, the board’s vice-president Andrew Gilbert described three works on display at the institution as containing “antisemitic tropes and messaging”, which had caused “significant concern to members of our community”.
He went on to question the judgement of the RA in displaying “highly charged and controversial messages” with “no attempt to present any context”.
The RA confirmed it had reviewed the matter “carefully” and would remove two of the works, both of which are currently included in the Young Artists’ Summer Show, from display.
“We recognise an exhibition for young people and artwork by young people is not an appropriate environment for volatile public discourse,” a statement read.
“We offer a duty of care to the artists we exhibit and the visitors to our galleries, particularly our youngest and most vulnerable.” The statement went on to apologise for any hurt or distress caused to artists or visitors, and confirmed that the RA will review its processes moving forward.
The first work in question was created by an 18-year-old artist, and was described in the open letter as including the words “Jews say stop genocide on Palestinians: Not in Our Name”. The second, by a 16-year-old artist, was said to portray a screaming woman and a swastika.
A third work, THE MASS SLAUGHTER OF WOMEN AND GIRLS IS NOT HOW YOU DERADICALISE GAZA, by Michael Sandle, an RA academician, was also criticised in the letter. The charcoal drawing, which depicts a faceless pilot and a plane bearing the Star of David, remains on display as part of the separate Summer Exhibition, which is aimed at all ages.
The Art Newspaper has contacted the RA for comment regarding this drawing, which is for sale on the gallery’s website for £17,000.
