Trump UK Visit Sparks Arts Backlash
As Donald Trump extends his visit in the UK today, leading art world figures have expressed their anger and concern over the US president’s stance on issues such as immigration and social welfare. Norman Rosenthal, the esteemed former exhibitions secretary at London’s Royal Academy of Arts, says past shows at Blenheim Palace by Ai Weiwei and Jenny Holzer are being “severely compromised†by Trump’s banquet at the historical venue las night. “You could not name two more exemplary, politically prominent artists than Jenny Holzer and Ai Weiwei,†Rosenthal says. “If you want to show artists such as these, you have to accept the moral consequences.†The curator points to Ai’s recent documentary, Human Flow, which highlights the shocking plight of refugees around the world. Trump has been roundly criticized for his restrictive immigration policies.
