AGO Censors Pro-Palestinian Materials and Products at Filipinx Market Honouring Pacita Abad12/12/2024
Filipinos United 4 Palestine On November 2, 2024, Filipinos United 4 Palestine tabled at the Borloloy Filipinx Market at the Weston Family Learning Centre at the AGO, an event held to celebrate the work of Pacita Abad, a renowned Filipina artist and activist. Pacita Abad, a student organizer in the Philippines and vocal opponent of the Marcos Sr. dictatorship — which suppressed freedom of speech, press, and assembly — fled to the United States to escape political persecution. Members of the Filipino arts community felt compelled to examine Abad's exhibition within the context of the AGO's ongoing refusal to acknowledge Palestinian genocide or address the silencing of cultural workers within its ranks. This refusal was underscored by the departure of Wanda Nanibush, the inaugural curator of Indigenous Art at the AGO, following accusations by Israel Museums and Arts Canada of her "posting inflammatory, inaccurate rants against Israel," according to a leaked letter addressed to the AGO. Invited to participate in the Borloloy Filipinx Market, Filipinos United 4 Palestine felt uneasy about what appeared to be an attempt by the AGO to "artwash" its image — using progressive Philippine cultural heritage as a tool to counter the growing cultural boycott of the institution. Nevertheless, driven by a mandate to educate the community on calls for genuine ceasefire, hostage/prisoner exchange, and arms embargo on Israel, we opted to participate. Our goals were to: 1) Inform visitors of the Abad exhibition about the ongoing crisis in Gaza and the work of Filipinos United 4 Palestine toward a just and lasting peace; 2) Raise awareness within the Filipino community about the plight of Palestinian-Filipino refugees in the Philippines; 3) Highlight AGO’s censorship of Wanda Nanibush, an Indigenous curator who, many suspect, was dismissed for her pro-Palestine stance. Filipinos United 4 Palestine was transparent about our participation, formally listed as a vendor, and understood that the AGO had no objections to our presence. However, on the day of the event, AGO staff instructed us to remove any displays, materials, and signage bearing phrases like "Free Palestine" and "Palestine," including educational pamphlets on the Arms Embargo Now campaign. Staff stated that these materials could make some attendees feel “unsafe” and that the gallery was “not a political space.” Other vendors were similarly prohibited from displaying pro-Palestine materials, including "Free Palestine" signs, depictions of Palestinian flags, and watermelon symbols. These instructions left our members feeling disheartened. Since our founding, our materials have never been identified as harmful. The most troubling aspect, however, was the AGO’s depoliticization of Abad’s work. This act of censorship confirmed our fears that the Abad exhibition and related outreach initiatives served as a public relations tactic rather than a genuine tribute to Abad’s legacy or an endorsement of her influence on young Filipino artists in the diaspora. Several vendors and attendees approached our members to express solidarity. Filipinos United 4 Palestine strongly condemns the Art Gallery of Ontario (AGO) for censoring pro-Palestinian voices and for using Pacita Abad's artwork to quell the growing cultural boycott against the arts institution. By misusing Filipino art, the AGO undermines genuine cultural exchange and weaponizes our heritage to divert attention from Palestinian demands for justice and solidarity. Many community members have expressed a desire to learn more about Pacita Abad but are hesitant to do so through the AGO. In light of these events, Filipinos United 4 Palestine invites the broader Filipino community and cultural workers to organize talks and cultural interventions that truly honor Pacita Abad’s work, her tenacity to speak truth to power, and her lifelong fight for a just and lasting peace. We call on the community to engage with our collaborators, art organizers and activist groups to support their campaigns, initiatives and events and actions that advance the goals of Boycott, Divest, Sanction (BDS) promoting boycotts, divestments, and economic sanctions against Israel and support Palestinian Campaign for the Academic and Cultural Boycott of Israel (PACBI). To learn more DM or email us, or reach out to our collaborators @Stopartwashing @Wawog_now @bds.movement Comment and tag your favourite arts space, arts community or arts platform in the city! Learn more at: ago-no.ca bdsmovement.net/pacbi Comments are closed.
|
Downloadable Resources
Archives
|