ARTS PROFESSIONALS PROTEST TATE’S DECISION TO RENEW TIES WITH ANTHONY D’OFFAY
More than forty-five artists, curators, and academics have signed an open letter protesting the Tate’s decision to resume contact with the influential art dealer Anthony d’Offay, who was accused of sexual harassment and inappropriate behavior by three women last year. When the allegations, which date from 1997 to 2004, emerged—they were first reported by The Observer—the Tate and the National Galleries of Scotland suspended contact with the donor, who denies any wrongdoing.
On April 6, The Times of London reported that the institutions decided to renew links to d’Offay. “Over a year ago we were made aware of allegations against Anthony d’Offay,” a spokesman for both museums told the daily newspaper. “The trustees of Tate and National Galleries of Scotland took appropriate time to consider these. . . . No formal investigation ensued and trustees have since resumed contact with Mr. d’Offay, and informed relevant stakeholders accordingly.”
The news prompted cultural figures to challenge the move. Currently circulating on social media, the open letter, which is addressed to the Tate, wants the institution to answer two questions: “Has it carried out an internal investigation into the allegations and into its own conduct? Has its ethics committee considered the allegations?” It concludes by urging the Tate to sever ties with d’Offay.
In response, a representative for the Tate told The Guardian that it had not received the letter so it does not wish to comment at this time and that the matter had been considered by both its ethics committee and trustees.
In 2008, d’Offay sold his massive multimillion-dollar collection to the British and Scottish governments for the price he paid for the works, rather than what they were worth at the time. The gift served as the basis for ARTIST ROOMS, a touring collection of over 1,600 works of modern and contemporary art.
