U of North Texas Cancels Exhibit With Anti-ICE Art

The College of North Texas School of Visible Arts and Design eliminated an artwork exhibit that features anti-ICE paintings, the artist informed The Denton Document-Chronicle. 

The exhibit, Ni De Aquí Ni De Allá (“Not From Right here, Not From There”), by Brooklyn-based artist Victor Quiñonez, was scheduled to open formally on Feb. 19. The works discover Quiñonez’s Mexican and Mexican American identification and his experiences as an undocumented particular person in East Dallas, The Dallas Observer reported. A number of items within the exhibit, which was initially organized by Boston College, seem to criticize United States Immigration and Customs Enforcement. One encompasses a Popsicle cart with the message “I.C.E. SCREAM”; one other exhibits a fake official seal with an eagle and a masked face that reads “U.S. Division of Stolen Land Safety.” Beneath, it provides another interpretation of the ICE acronym: “Inhumane and Cruelty Enforcement.”

“The settlement with Boston College for this exhibition was terminated, and UNT has knowledgeable Boston College and Mr. Quinonez,” a UNT spokesperson informed the Document-Chronicle in an e-mail. The spokesperson didn’t say why the exhibit was canceled. 

UNT officers informed Quiñonez the exhibit was canceled by way of an e-mail signed with solely a primary identify.

“I’m writing to let you recognize that the college has terminated the artwork mortgage settlement with Boston College Art Galleries for ‘Ni de Aquí, Ni de Allá,’” stated the e-mail, which Quiñonez shared with the Document-Chronicle. “The college is making preparations to return the exhibit to Boston College. Any actions related to the exhibition are now not mandatory. Nevertheless, please tell us in case you have incurred journey bills associated to the exhibition for reimbursement.”