Artist Charles Krafft is back — and this time, rather than attempting to hide his white nationalist beliefs, he appears to be embracing them.
As some people on Twitter have noticed, an organization called Counter-Currents Publishing has launched an “H. P. Lovecraft Prize for Literature.” The accolade is, in part, a rebuttal to the World Fantasy Awards’ recent decision to stop using a sculpted likeness of the author for their trophy — because although he’s now a canonized writer of horror fiction, Lovecraft was also an explicit racist. The Counter-Currents prize in his honor will be “awarded to literary artists of the highest caliber who transgress the boundaries of political correctness.” And it will consist of — what else? — a bust of Lovecraft, sculpted by none other than Charles Krafft.
None of this is exactly surprising. It was a shock in early 2013, when Jen Graves wrote a chilling piece in The Stranger that exposed Krafft, the popular sculptor of traditionally inflected porcelain guns, swastikas, and “Disasterware,” as a white nationalist and Holocaust denier. Krafft’s work, we discovered, was not ironic or witty after all; it was just horrifying propaganda.
Counter-Currents, a website and publisher that bills itself as a leader of the “North-American New Right,” has been around since 2010. At the time of Krafft’s outing, its editor-in-chief Greg Johnson published a vigorous defense titled “The Persecution of Charles Krafft,” which discussed the author’s personal relationship with Krafft and categorized the artist as
one of an increasing number of essentially liberal whites who are awakening to the fact that multiculturalism and non-white immigration are threats to the things that liberals hold dear: environmentalism, support for the arts, respect for women, kindness to animals, high wages, safe workplaces, religious tolerance, tolerance for “alternative lifestyles,” safe, inviting public spaces and facilities, walkable communities, etc., none of which are conspicuous in Latin America or the Muslim world, for instance.
So it’s logical that Counter-Currents would enlist Krafft to design a likeness of Lovecraft as its new award statuette.
‘Penitentiary Plate (HMP Brixton)’ by #CharlesKrafft ?? Part of ‘LAX / LHR’ #LAXLHR co-curated with @thinkspace_art 04.09.15 – 04.10.15 Full line up on stolenspace.com A photo posted by stolenspacegallery (@stolenspacegallery) on
The timing couldn’t be better. Krafft needs the boost after an exhibition of his work was canceled because of his “own defiance of political correctness,” in the words of Counter-Currents. That exhibition was scheduled to open on November 12 at Stolen Space, a street art gallery in London. On November 9, the gallery posted a statement about its decision to show Krafft’s work, writing:
In recent times he has been surrounded in controversy over his supposed beliefs, we have taken time to discuss these with him, knowing that reporting and social media can very easily be guided or misinterpreted.
The post goes on to say, “We have spoken to Charles directly and he denies the claims made against him and the way in which he was reported as slander and trolling.” It then treats us to a lengthy comment from Krafft, who claims:
Im [sic] not a Holocaust denier. I haven’t denied that many Jewish people suffered and died during WWII. I’m also not a white supremacist either.
I only challenge the taboo that society cannot discuss certain events without seeming to be politically incorrect and thought criminal, such as conspiracy theories around 911 for example.
He adds, “I have collectors and friends that are Jewish.”
But apparently the denials of denial weren’t enough. On November 10, Stolen Space posted a second note on its website, this time announcing the cancelation of Krafft’s show. The post brands the situation a “controversy” and positions the gallery as the principal victim:
Whilst we have listened diligently to Charles Krafft�s [sic] explanations surrounding the controversy of past interviews, it was naive of StolenSpace to think that this matter had been resolved and that the controversy would not follow him.
Both physical and verbal threats have been made against the gallery and our staff, and although StolenSpace does not believe in censorship or cyber bullying, we do respect the opinions and feelings about such sensitive matters. We therefore feel it is appropriate that the show is cancelled in light of this.
Incidentally, I reached out to Stolen Space when Graves’s article came out in 2013, but the gallery never responded. At that time, Krafft was listed as a represented artist on the its website; today he isn’t.
h/t @RobCottingham, @vandalog
Krafft is a skilled artist and his work is very witty. He is also very brave for standing up to bullies who try to ruin people’s careers for having different opinions. May he prosper and be remembered.
Even though he basically supports ruining other people’s lives for not being born the right race? It is brave to stand up for what you believe in, yes. When what you believe in is horrific that doesn’t make you a saint.
Krafft does not support ruining people’s lives and that is not what white nationalism is about. Your comment is either ignorant or deliberately slanderous.
Do tell. What is the “White Nationalism” approach to the fact that millions of non-whites live in the US today?
It’s all contingent upon what is politically feasible but I think most WNs are pursuing some kind of secession for a particular region of the US, or the balkanization of the US into multiple nation states.
Which would ruin the lives of the non-whites currently living in those areas.
Or maybe not. It’s a completely hypothetical situation. What isn’t hypothetical is that physical and verbal threats were made against gallery staff in an attempt to close down this show. What isn’t hypothetical is that there is a deliberate effort to destroy Mr. Krafft’s livelihood.
Yeah… by people who want to keep White Nationalist fantasies theoretical because of the real harm they would do to non-white people and white people who don’t agree with them.
These people have seen what people like Krafft and like yourself do when they get any sort of power or influence and it is far worse than stopping a show at a gallery or keeping one man from being able to profit off an ideology of hate and division.
So what you’re saying is that you believe in accusing people of crimes they’ve never committed and punishing them for said crimes. It should not be a crime to want a homeland for your people, especially when they are being systematically disenfranchised.
I didn’t accuse him of any crime. Also, you aren’t being “systematically disenfranchised”.
Well, I’ve tried to respond in good faith. You’ve shown yourself to be dishonest. I don’t see much point in engaging you anymore. For others who might read this, I encourage you to look up what Krafft and other WNs actually say rather than accepting the false assertions of people like this Den Hickey person. I encourage you to oppose those who advocate for censorship. I encourage you to look up the demographic projections for majority white countries to see how white people are being replaced, and what happens when white people try to oppose these changes, and decide for yourself whether we are being systematically disenfranchised.
I haven’t been dishonest at all.
” I encourage you to look up the demographic projections for majority white countries to see how white people are being replaced”
Wah wah wah.. white people might not be a majority in those countries anymore!!! Waaaaah!
” and what happens when white people try to oppose these changes, and
decide for yourself whether we are being systematically disenfranchised.”
So, if not being a majority anymore is disenfranchisement, what does that say about all other non-white people who are currently in the minority? And what happens when non-white people try to oppose that disenfranchisement???
Non-whites can always move to regions and countries that are majority non-white. Easy. Problem solved.
Ah, I see. So, being forced to leave your entire life and move to a new area doesn’t ruin people’s lives. /s
No, it does not. They’ll get used to it.
Then you whiny babies can just get used to people who don’t look just like you being around.
Okay, Den Hickey. I’ll bite. Mock me all you like, I still think it’s perfectly reasonable to for white people to be concerned about their future given the fact that we are becoming a minority in our own countries, particularly considering that many non-white groups are openly hostile to white people and are willing to organize to advance their own ethnic interests to the detriment of white people. It seems perfectly rational the white people should want to take their own side, and I think more would if so much risk weren’t involved. You ask what happens when we do. Well, this article that we are commenting on is about what happens. When we try to advance our interests and stop our demographic displacement we are targeted, people attempt to ruin our livelihoods, and often we are subjected to threats of violence or actual violence. Downplay these concerns all you want. They are very real. What I don’t understand is why jews like yourself don’t have the same concerns as we do. Non-white groups rarely see the distinction between jews and white people. When our displacement is complete it is highly unlikely that you will be able to maintain your own status in society.
” I still think it’s perfectly reasonable to for white people to be
concerned about their future given the fact that we are becoming a
minority in our own countries”
How are they “your” countries? The US in particular.
“particularly considering that many non-white groups are openly hostile
to white people and are willing to organize to advance their own ethnic
interests to the detriment of white people.”
You mean.. they behave just like white people have for centuries? Care to name any of these groups that are openly hostile towards white people based on their race, not on their actions?
” It seems perfectly rational the white people should want to take their own side”
Well, that depends entirely on what you actually mean by “take their own side”.
“When we try to advance our interests and stop our demographic
displacement we are targeted, people attempt to ruin our livelihoods,
and often we are subjected to threats of violence or actual violence.”
Yes, because the advancement of “white interests” throughout history has been incredibly violent and has subjugated people worldwide… and the scenario you set up for what you want would inherently be violent as well no matter how much you romanticize chasing millions from their homes. White people have the vast majority of power in business, government, media, and society at large and your attempts to “advance your interests” is to keep the status quo of disempowerment of non-whites. You see them having the same things you currently enjoy as a threat, as if it is impossible for them to have anything that isn’t taken directly from you.
“What I don’t understand is why jews like yourself don’t have the same concerns as we do.”
What in the bloody freaking hell makes you think I am Jewish???
“Non-white groups rarely see the distinction between jews and white people.”
Oh, I’m sure you see lots of distinctions between jews and white people.
” When our displacement is complete it is highly unlikely that you will be able to maintain your own status in society.”
And there is the heart of your argument.. you are afraid that non-white people not being subjugated and disempowered will mean they will treat white people as white people have treated them for centuries.
Oh. You’re not Jewish? My mistake. I’m done here.
So, you won’t address the violence of white people or the violence of your little fantasy or any of the other points I raised… or explain why in hell you assumed I was Jewish in the first place.
Well, I guess this is a good place to stop as you’ve thoroughly shown how naive, historically ignorant, and utterly oblivious to PoC a “real White Nationalist” is.
I’ve listened to what a White Nationalist has to say… and I was still right all along.
You sound triggered. I bet you’re literally shaking.
White Nationalism is rising and there’s nothing you can do about it.
Obvious troll is obvious.
White nationalism is pathetic and there’s nothing you can do about it.
They will be removed.
Yes, I suppose you’re right. If Blacks, for example, were forced to live in their own in their own state in North America – call it a giant “safe space,” we could expect that state to quickly fall to the level of Detroit or some other African-dominated areas, like Haiti or the Congo. Better then that Blacks should perpetually parasite off White wealth creation and social order as we know from recent events at the University of Missouri how grateful they are for white mentoring and guidance.
Ok, I’m stopping this conversation. We’re done with your hate speech. Consider yourself blocked.
Everything is magical “hate speech” except when it attacks those you hate. Then it’s magical “tolerance” and “open-mindedness.”
Care to find any examples of that in this discussion?
I literally replied to the example.
As I said before, you’re so politically correct you’re autistic.
Its funny how your only examples are a city that has serious problems with poverty due to the flight of a single major industry and a couple nations with serious poverty issues that come in large part from colonialism. You DO realize that Haiti was forced to pay France for the “freedom” of all of its population, who were slaves, right? And that these payments were only finally stopped in the late 20th century.
You, sir, are grossly ignorant.
Mr. Krafft being White and not feeling guilty is horrific and is ruining peoples lives.
You’re so politically correct you’re autistic.
I find this more honest than the Sensationalist “art” of “clearly ethnic dung” or other idiocies.
Despicability may be one’s way to fame (of some sort), like what’s-his-face got from plagiarizing Obama’s photo from AP , and using Warhol’s style for cheap.
I don’t like either.
All we have to do is look at the political affiliation of the author and the bias is quite clear. This is an explicit ruling by the Culture of Critique. No opinion is allowed to exist except for the sanctioned gospel of the Culture of Critique. No group is allowed to exist except for those that bow to the Culture of Critique. Jillian Steinhauer will have her articles published right along side Barbara Lerner Spectre and this will continue unquestioned and unhindered. Those who do not belong to the Culture of Critique must be hated, attacked, vilified, and shipped off to the gulags by the grand children of Genrikh Yagoda.