Royal Academy removes works from young artists’ exhibition following accusations of antisemitism

Two works will be removed from the Young Artists’ Summer Show at the Royal Academy of Arts (RA), in London, after an open letter from the Board of Deputies of British Jews raised “significant concerns” about their content.

In a letter posted to X on 15 July, the board’s vice-president Andrew Gilbert described three works on display at the institution as containing “antisemitic tropes and messaging”, which had caused “significant concern to members of our community”. He went on to question the judgement of the RA in displaying “highly charged and controversial messages” with “no attempt to present any context”.

Responding to a request for comment from The Art Newspaper, the RA confirmed it had reviewed the matter “carefully” and would remove two of the works, both of which are currently included in the Young Artists’ Summer Show, from display. “We recognise an exhibition for young people and artwork by young people is not an appropriate environment for volatile public discourse,” a statement read.

“We offer a duty of care to the artists we exhibit and the visitors to our galleries, particularly our youngest and most vulnerable.” The statement went on to apologise for any hurt or distress caused to artists or visitors, and confirmed that the RA will review its processes moving forward.

The first work in question was created by an 18-year-old artist, and was described in the open letter as including the words “Jews say stop genocide on Palestinians: Not in Our Name”. The second, by a 16-year-old artist, was said to portray a screaming woman and a swastika.

A third work, THE MASS SLAUGHTER OF WOMEN AND GIRLS IS NOT HOW YOU DERADICALISE GAZA, by Michael Sandle, an RA academician, was also criticised in the letter. The charcoal drawing, which depicts a faceless pilot and a plane bearing the Star of David, remains on display as part of the separate Summer Exhibition, which is aimed at all ages.

The Art Newspaper has contacted the RA for comment regarding this drawing, which is for sale on the gallery’s website for £17,000.

The letter issued by the Board of Deputies referenced the organisation’s understanding of the tradition of anti-war art, and said it was sure it was not the intention of individual artists to produce antisemitic messaging. However, it also highlighted the recent rise in antisemitic incidents following the outbreak of the Israel-Hamas war.

“Antisemitic incidents in the UK are currently at an all-time high, and many Jews in the art world feel they are being marginalised and silenced for showing sympathy with the victims of the 7 October attacks by Hamas terrorists and expressing the view that their continued holding of hostages is responsible for this terrible war,” the letter read.

The 7 October attacks on Israel killed 1,195 Israelis, according to an AFP tally based on the official figures, and resulted in around 240 being taken hostage. Israel’s subsequent assault on Gaza has, the local health ministry says, killed more than 38,660 Palestinians.

In closing the letter, the Board of Deputies invited the RA’s chief executive and senior leadership team to attend a meeting to discuss the matter. In their email to The Art Newspaper, the RA said: “We are keen to follow up with their invitation to engage with the questions raised and hope to arrange a meeting with them as soon as possible.”