MoMA Apologizes to Black Artist for Mistreatment During Exhibition

The Museum of Modern Art (MoMA) in New York City has recently issued an apology to artist David Hammons for the mistreatment he received during the installation of his artwork in an exhibition in 1984.

Hammons, a well-known artist renowned for his socially critical work, was asked to leave the museum after he refused to have his artwork installed in a way he deemed disrespectful. His artwork was placed in a basement storage area instead of being prominently displayed in the gallery.

A group of black artists organized a protest outside the museum, demanding that MoMA apologize to Hammons. Nearly 40 years later, MoMA has finally issued an apology, acknowledging the unacceptable discrimination Hammons faced. The apology has been welcomed as a step towards acknowledging and addressing the marginalization of minority artists in the art world.

Hammons, who is known for his politically charged and socially critical artwork, was selected to participate in the exhibition "An International Survey of Recent Painting and Sculpture." However, when he arrived at the museum, he found that his artwork had been placed in a basement storage area rather than in a prominent location in the gallery.

When Hammons objected to the placement of his work, he was asked to leave the museum by a security guard. In response to the incident, a group of black artists organized a protest outside of the museum and demanded that MoMA apologize to Hammons.

Nearly four decades later, MoMA has issued an apology to Hammons for the way he was treated. In a statement, the museum acknowledged that Hammons "was mistreated and subjected to unacceptable discrimination" and that "we deeply regret that he was made to feel unwelcome."

The apology from MoMA comes as the museum faces increasing criticism for its lack of diversity and inclusion. Many have called for the institution to do more to support artists of color and to address the historical marginalization of minority artists in the art world.

Hammons, who is now 78 years old, has not yet commented on MoMA's apology. However, the statement from the museum has been praised by many as a step in the right direction towards acknowledging and rectifying past injustices.