Royal Academy censures creator of Sensation
Your support helps us to tell the story
From reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it's investigating the financials of Elon Musk's pro-Trump PAC or producing our latest documentary, 'The A Word', which shines a light on the American women fighting for reproductive rights, we know how important it is to parse out the facts from the messaging.
At such a critical moment in US history, we need reporters on the ground. Your donation allows us to keep sending journalists to speak to both sides of the story.
The Independent is trusted by Americans across the entire political spectrum. And unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock Americans out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. We believe quality journalism should be available to everyone, paid for by those who can afford it.
Your support makes all the difference.The Royal Academy's ruling council yesterday censured its controversial exhibitions secretary Norman Rosenthal for remarks he made in a television programme. They then issued a vote of confidence in him.
Whether the man who put the Royal Academy back on the cultural map with a series of highly regarded exhibitions, will choose to stay there in the long term is open to question.
Mr Rosenthal courted controversy most recently with Sensation, the exhibition of young British artists taken from the Saatchi collection, and particularly its inclusion of a painting of Myra Hindley, which was damaged by protesters.
Three Academicians have resigned in recent weeks, one openly claiming that the behaviour of Mr Rosenthal was partly responsible, particularly the way he insulted an Academician on the BBC Omnibus programme about the Royal Academy.
Mr Rosenthal said of the 79-year-old figurative painter John Ward: "What is the point of painting a picture unless it is going to change the world? ... John Ward passionately believes in what he is doing and somehow thinks he is making real art. Maybe I am wrong and he is right, and the world will suddenly declare John Ward RA to be a great artist, but ... I doubt it."
Join our commenting forum
Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies
Comments