> ## Content Index
> Fetch the complete content index at: https://hyperallergic.com/llms.txt
> Use this file to discover other available public pages before exploring further.

# Week in Review: NY Attorney General Sues Sotheby’s; Biden-Harris Campaign Launches Art-inspired Ad
- URL: https://hyperallergic.com/week-in-review-ny-attorney-general-sues-sothebys-biden-harris-campaign-launches-art-inspired-ad/
- Published: 2020-11-13T12:00:05.000Z
- Updated: 2025-11-24T16:38:46.000Z
- Description: Also, Seth Stolbun stepped down from the board of Rhizome following reports of workplace harassment at the New Museum, and more.
- Author: Jasmine Weber
- Tags: News, Week in Review, #wp, #wp-post, #image-position-hidden, #Import 2025-11-24 09:08 (2019, 2020, part 3)

*Week in Review is a weekly collection of news, developments, and stirrings in the art world.* [*Subscribe*](https://hyperallergic.com/newsletters?utm%5Fsource=page&utm%5Fcampaign=artmovements) *to receive these posts as a weekly newsletter.*

In a lawsuit filed on Friday, NY Attorney General Letitia James claims that Sotheby's [helped a collector evade sales tax](https://hyperallergic.com/sothebys-sued-for-allegedly-helping-collector-evade-millions-in-taxes/) on $27 million worth of artworks by accepting fraudulent resale certificates.

Art collector Seth Stolbun [stepped down from the board of Rhizome](https://hyperallergic.com/rhizome-board-member-resigns-in-protest-of-workplace-culture-at-new-museum/), a New Museum affiliate, after a *New York Times* report revealed accusations of workplace harassment and unhealthy work conditions at the museum.

Artist Cosimo Cavallaro is [suing Trump's border wall contractors](https://hyperallergic.com/artist-sues-trumps-border-wall-contractors-for-destroying-his-cheese-wall/) for destroying his "cheese wall." He claims the construction company SLSCO, hired by Trump to fortify the US-Mexico border wall, “willfully destroyed” his sculpture made of Cotija cheese.

Critics have lambasted the first [memorial to Mary Wollstonecraft](https://hyperallergic.com/the-world-got-its-first-memorial-to-feminist-giant-mary-wollstonecraft-and-its-a-tiny-female-nude/), which features a nude, slender female body atop an amorphous pedestal. Its opponents say the artwork is disconnected from Wollstonecraft’s feminist achievements.

Artist Amanda Phingbodhipakkiya [addressed rising violence against Asian Americans](https://hyperallergic.com/i-am-not-your-scapegoat-artworks-denounce-increasing-anti-asian-bigotry/) in an ad takeover of Brooklyn’s Atlantic Avenue subway station.

A new video advertisement from the Biden-Harris campaign [references artist Lorraine O’Grady’s 1983 performance “Art Is…”](https://hyperallergic.com/this-biden-harris-campaign-ad-is-inspired-by-artist-lorraine-ogrady/)

On Veterans Day, November 11, the National Museum of the American Indian unveiled the [first national memorial to Native American veterans](https://hyperallergic.com/the-nations-first-memorial-to-native-american-veterans/). The artwork was sculpted by Harvey Pratt.

John Waters [promised most of his art collection to the Baltimore Museum of Art](https://hyperallergic.com/john-waters-promises-art-collection-to-the-baltimore-museum-if-it-names-its-restrooms-after-him/), as long as the museum promises to name one rotunda and two restrooms in his honor.

## Awards & Accolades

**Artspace, Disjecta Contemporary Art Center, the Lab, Locust Projects,** and **the Luminary** were awarded the the **2020 VIA | Wagner Incubator Grant Fund grant**.

**Poulomi Basu, Alejandro Cartagena, Cao Fei,** and **Zineb Sedira** are shortlisted for the 2021 **Deutsche Börse Photography Foundation Prize**.

## Transitions

**Candace K. Beinecke** and **Hamilton E. Jame**s were named co-chairs of the Metropolitan Museum of Art Board of Trustees.

**Nayland Blake** was [appointed chair of the Studio Arts Program](https://hyperallergic.com/artist-nayland-blake-named-chair-of-bard-studio-arts-program/) at **Bard College** in Annandale-on-Hudson.

**Carina Evangelista** was named director of curatorial affairs at the **Oklahoma Contemporary Arts Center**, and **Tabitha Austin** was appointed registrar.

**Hanna Miller** has joined the Board of Trustees at the **Queens Museum**. **Peter Warwick** and **Yvonne Riley-Tepie** were appointed board chair and board treasurer, respectively.

**Huang Yuxing** is now represented by **Almine Rech gallery**.

## In Memoriam

Rosanna Carteri (1930–2020), soprano opera singer | [Opera Wire](https://operawire.com/obituary-italian-soprano-rosanna-carteri-dies-aged-89/?ref=hyperallergic.com)

Pearl Chin (1949–2020), "craftivist" knitting store owner | [*NYT*](https://www.nytimes.com/2020/11/12/nyregion/pearl-chin-dead.html?ref=hyperallergic.com)

Norm Crosby (1927–2020), comedian | [CBS](https://losangeles.cbslocal.com/2020/11/09/comedian-norm-crosby-dies-heart-failure-93/?ref=hyperallergic.com)

Aileen Passloff (1931–2020), dancer, choreographer, and actor | [*NYT*](https://www.nytimes.com/2020/11/12/arts/dance/aileen-passloff-died.html?ref=hyperallergic.com)

Alex Trebek (1940–2020), host of *Jeopardy!* | [Legacy](https://www.legacy.com/news/celebrity-deaths/alex-trebek-1940-2020-beloved-jeopardy-host/?ref=hyperallergic.com)