> ## 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: WPA Mural Causes Controversy, Drawings by Children Detained at US–Mexico Border - URL: https://hyperallergic.com/week-in-review-wpa-mural-causes-controversy-drawings-by-children-detained-at-us-mexico-border/ - Published: 2019-07-12T11:00:04.000Z - Updated: 2025-11-24T16:39:29.000Z - Description: Also, a monument to Melania Trump crafted with a chainsaw popped up in Slovenia, high-profile artists urge National Portrait Gallery to divest from BP, and more. - Author: Jasmine Weber - Tags: News, Week in Review, #wp, #wp-post, #image-position-hidden, #Import 2025-11-24 07:34 (2019, 2020, part 1) ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/51/f8/51f871d8-b6be-4a73-b958-0ca4fff0110a/content/images/hyperallergic-newspack-s3-amazonaws-com/uploads/2019/07/kid-drawing-border-01-1460.jpg) One of the images from a child immigrant being detained at one of the many Catholic Charities Humanitarian Respite Centers at the US/Mexico border. (all images courtesy American Academy of Pediatrics) *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.* During a visit to the Catholic Charities Humanitarian Respite Center in McAllen, Texas, Dr. Sara Goza of the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) received three marker drawings that offer insight into the world that children detained in US government detention centers at the US–Mexico border are forced to endure. | [Hyperallergic](https://hyperallergic.com/childrens-drawings-from-us-mexico-border-reveal-a-world-of-cages/) The Smithsonian Institution has expressed interest in acquiring marker drawings by these children. | [*NYT*](https://www.nytimes.com/2019/07/09/us/smithsonian-migrant-children-drawings.html?ref=hyperallergic.com) Convicted pedophile Jeffrey Epstein returned to court this week on sex-trafficking charges. Members of the art world are among Epstein’s defenders and victims. | [Hyperallergic](https://hyperallergic.com/jeffrey-epstein/) ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/51/f8/51f871d8-b6be-4a73-b958-0ca4fff0110a/content/images/hyperallergic-newspack-s3-amazonaws-com/uploads/2019/07/img_9740b.jpg) “The Life of George Washington” (1934) (© Tammy Aramiam/GWHS Alumni Association) Victor Arnautoff’s “The Life of George Washington” was painted at George Washington High School in 1934 under the Works Progress Administration. Recently, the school board voted unanimously to paint over it, becoming a contentious topic on public art preservation. | [Hyperallergic](https://hyperallergic.com/the-life-of-george-washington/) Over 500 academics, scholars, and professionals have signed an open letter published in the academic journal *Nonsite*, decrying its destruction, calling it “an important work of art, produced for all Americans under the auspices of a federal government seeking to ensure the survival of art during the Great Depression.” | [Curbed](https://sf.curbed.com/2019/7/9/20687687/george-washington-high-mural-san-francisco-nonsite-letter-protest?ref=hyperallergic.com) The Antiquities Trafficking and Heritage Anthropology Research (ATHAR) Project has published a critical report on West Asian antiquities trafficking taking place more or less out in the open on Facebook. | [Hyperallergic](https://hyperallergic.com/how-social-media-is-allowing-for-illegal-antiquities-trafficking/) ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/51/f8/51f871d8-b6be-4a73-b958-0ca4fff0110a/content/images/hyperallergic-newspack-s3-amazonaws-com/uploads/2019/07/melania_1_1460.jpg) Melania Trump’s monument near Sevnica in Slovenia (image courtesy Brad Downey) A life-size wooden sculpture of Melania Trump recently appeared on top of a tree pedestal on the green banks of the Sava river, close to the First Lady’s hometown in South Slovenia. Artist Brad Downey commissioned a Slovenian folk sculptor to create a monument with a chainsaw, calling the First Lady a “strange figure with an interesting life.” | [Hyperallergic](https://hyperallergic.com/melania-trump-gets-her-first-monument-and-its-not-what-youd-expect/) 78 artists signed a letter demanding that the UK’s National Portrait Gallery end its relationship with the oil company BP, which has sponsored the museum’s Portrait Award for the last 30 years. Signatories include artists Antony Gormley, Anish Kapoor, and Rachel Whiteread. | [Hyperallergic](https://hyperallergic.com/78-artists-national-portrait-gallery-bp/) A vigil for artist Devra Freelander, who was killed by a truck while riding her bike in Brooklyn, escalated into a spar about bike safety between mourners, bike activists, and truck drivers. | [Hyperallergic](https://hyperallergic.com/vigil-for-slain-artist-devra-freelander-escalates/) ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/51/f8/51f871d8-b6be-4a73-b958-0ca4fff0110a/content/images/hyperallergic-newspack-s3-amazonaws-com/uploads/2019/07/egon_schiele_1460.gif) Egon Schiele, “Self-Portrait with Physalis” (1912) (via Wikimedia Commons) The heirs of **Fritz Grünbaum**, an Austrian cabaret singer whose art collection was looted by the Nazis before he was murdered at the Dachau concentration camp in Germany in 1941, can keep possession of two **Egon Schiele** drawings that belonged to Grünbaum’s collection, a New York appellate court ruled on Tuesday, July 9\. This and other notable sales and acquisitions are chronicled in our [**latest Transactions story.**](https://hyperallergic.com/egypt-to-sue-christies-auction-house-after-sale-of-king-tut-bust/) ## Opportunities Miami’s **Art in Public Places Program** and **Miami Dade County Department of Aviation** (MDAD) are seeking South Florida-based visual artists and artist teams to create integrated artworks in two areas of the Miami International Airport. Applications are due on **July 15 and** **22,** respectively. \[[Miami Dade Public Art](https://miamidadepublicart.org/?ref=hyperallergic.com#artists-calls)\] *Learn about other opportunities you can apply for this month in our latest “*[*Opportunities for Artists in July 2019*](https://hyperallergic.com/opportunities-for-artists-in-july-2019/)*.”* ## This Week in the Art World ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/51/f8/51f871d8-b6be-4a73-b958-0ca4fff0110a/content/images/hyperallergic-newspack-s3-amazonaws-com/uploads/2019/07/naudlinepierre-media-05.jpg) Naudline Pierre, “Deal Kindly and Truly With Me” (2018). Oil on canvas, 56 × 52 in. (Courtesy theartist) **Cory Arcangel** and **Andy Robert** are now represented by **Greene** **Naftali** gallery. **|** [*ARTnews*](http://www.artnews.com/2019/07/09/cory-arcangel-andy-robert-greene-naftali/?ref=hyperallergic.com) **Paul Baker Prindle** was named director of the **University Art Museum at the California State University, Long Beach**, which will soon be rechristened as the Carolyn Campagna Kleefeld Contemporary Art Museum. | [*Artforum*](https://www.artforum.com/news/paul-baker-prindle-to-head-art-museum-at-california-state-university-long-beach-80221?ref=hyperallergic.com) **Jacqueline Brightwell** was appointed director of the **Bradbury Art Museum** at the Arkansas State University in Jonesboro. | **Fariba Derahkshani**, **Timme Geerlof,** and **Annuska Pronkhorst** have joined the supervisory board of the **Witte de With Center for Contemporary** **Art** in Rotterdam. | [*Artforum*](https://www.artforum.com/news/witte-de-with-center-for-contemporary-art-welcomes-new-board-members-80231?ref=hyperallergic.com) **John Edmonds** was awarded the **Brooklyn** **Museum**‘s inaugural **UOVO Prize** for emerging Brooklyn-based artists. | [BK Reader](https://www.bkreader.com/2019/07/10/photographer-john-edmonds-wins-brooklyn-museums-inaugural-prize-for-emerging-artists/?ref=hyperallergic.com) **Anne Ellegood** was appointed executive director of the **Institute of Contemporary Art, Los Angeles**. | via email announcement **Jamie Goldblatt Manné** was named co-director of **Kayne Griffin Corcoran**. | [*ARTnews*](http://www.artnews.com/2019/07/10/kayne-griffin-corcoran-jamie-goldblatt-manne-director/?ref=hyperallergic.com) **E. Jane**, **Naudline Pierre**, and **Elliot Reed** were selected as the 2019-20 **Studio Museum Artists in Residence**. | via email announcement **KAWS** is no longer represented by **Perrotin gallery.** | [*ARTnews*](http://www.artnews.com/2019/07/03/kaws-leaves-perrotin/?ref=hyperallergic.com) **Nina Miall** will curate the seventh **TarraWarra Biennial** in Healesville, Australia, in August 2020\. | [*Artforum*](https://www.artforum.com/news/nina-miall-to-curate-2020-tarrawarra-biennial-80225?ref=hyperallergic.com) **Annie Morris** is now represented by **Timothy Taylor gallery.** | via email announcement The 12 artists shortlisted for the **Prix Pictet** **photography prize** were announced: Shahidul Alam, Joana Choumali, Margaret Courtney-Clarke, Rena Effendi, Lucas Foglia, Janelle Lynch, Ross McDonnell, Gideon Mendel, Ivor Prickett, Robin Rhode, Awoiska van der Molen, and Alexia Webster. | via email announcement **Betye Saar** and **Alfonso Cuarón** will be honored at the **Los Angeles County Museum of Art**’s Art+Film Gala on November 2\. | via email announcement **Himali Singh** was awarded **Frieze**’s Prize for Emerging Artists. | [*TAN*](https://www.theartnewspaper.com/news/frieze-artist-award-2019?ref=hyperallergic.com) **Thor Shannon** was named director of **David Zwirner gallery** in New York. | [*ARTnews*](http://www.artnews.com/2019/07/09/david-zwirner-hires-thor-shannon-as-director/?ref=hyperallergic.com) **St Fagans National Museum of History** was announced as **Art Fund**‘s 2019 Museum of the Year. | via email announcement **Hollis Taggart** gallery has named **Paul Efstathiou** as director of contemporary art and **Jillian Russo** as director of exhibitions. | via email announcement **Timm Ulrichs** was awarded the **2020 Käthe Kollwitz Prize**. | [*Artforum*](https://www.artforum.com/news/timm-ulrichs-wins-2020-kaethe-kollwitz-prize-80204?ref=hyperallergic.com) **Vielmetter Gallery** is expanding its location in downtown Los Angeles and closing the Culver City front. | [*ARTnews*](http://www.artnews.com/2019/07/07/vielmetter-downtown-los-angeles-expansion/?ref=hyperallergic.com) **Joan Weinstein** was appointed director of the **Getty Foundation**. | via email announcement **David Zwirner** will open a gallery in Paris this fall. | via email announcement ## In Memoriam ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/51/f8/51f871d8-b6be-4a73-b958-0ca4fff0110a/content/images/hyperallergic-newspack-s3-amazonaws-com/uploads/2019/07/29548839184_7a95838d7b_o.jpg) The facade of the National Museum of African American History and Culture, of which Philip Freelon was the lead architect (via Ron Cogswell’s Flickrstream) Ben Barenholtz (1935–2019), film exhibitor, distributor, and producer |[ IndieWire](https://www.indiewire.com/2019/06/ben-barenholtz-dead-david-lynch-coen-brothers-1202153774/?ref=hyperallergic.com) Paul Benjamin (1938–2019), actor |[ *NYT*](https://www.nytimes.com/2019/07/05/movies/paul-benjamin-dead.html?ref=hyperallergic.com) Cameron Boyce (1999–2019), film and television actor |[ *LA Times*](https://www.latimes.com/entertainment/movies/la-et-st-cameron-boyce-social-media-reactions-20190707-story.html?ref=hyperallergic.com) Artur Brauner (1918–2019), Holocaust survivor and German film producer |[ *Hollywood Reporter* ](https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/news/artur-brauner-dead-holocaust-survivor-german-film-producer-was-100-1222784?ref=hyperallergic.com) Steve Cannon (1935–2019), poet and founder of the East Village’s A Gathering of the Tribes | [The Villager](https://www.thevillager.com/2019/07/poet-steve-cannon-of-a-gathering-of-the-tribes-dies/?ref=hyperallergic.com) Martin Charnin (1934–2019), lyricist, writer, and theatre director |[ *Seattle Times*](https://www.seattletimes.com/entertainment/theater/martin-charnin-tony-winning-annie-lyricist-who-was-active-in-seattle-area-musical-theater-scene-dies-at-84/?ref=hyperallergic.com) Michael Colgrass (1932–2019), musician, composer, and educator |[ *NYT*](https://www.nytimes.com/2019/07/09/arts/music/michael-colgrass-dead.html?ref=hyperallergic.com) Valentina Cortese (1923–2019), actress |[ Guardian](https://www.theguardian.com/film/2019/jul/10/valentina-cortese-obituary?ref=hyperallergic.com) Douglas Crimp (1944–2019), art historian, critic, curator, and AIDS activist | [*New Yorker*](https://www.newyorker.com/news/our-columnists/the-beautiful-uncertainty-of-douglas-crimp?ref=hyperallergic.com) Gary Duncan (1946–2019), guitarist and singer |[ *NYT*](https://www.nytimes.com/2019/07/03/arts/music/gary-duncan-dead.html?ref=hyperallergic.com) Phil Freelon (1952–2019), an architect whose design influence is found among major museums, specifically dedicated to Black culture, in the United States |[ Hyperallergic](https://hyperallergic.com/philip-freelon/) João Gilberto (1931–2019), singer, songwriter, and guitarist who pioneered the bossa nova genre |[ *NYT*](https://www.nytimes.com/2019/07/06/arts/music/joao-gilberto-dead-bossa-nova.html?ref=hyperallergic.com) Eberhard Havekost (1967–2019), contemporary German painter |[ *ARTnews*](http://www.artnews.com/2019/07/09/eberhard-havekost-dead/?ref=hyperallergic.com) Arte Johnson (1929–2019), comic actor |[ *Washington Post*](https://www.washingtonpost.com/local/obituaries/arte-johnson-verry-interesting-comedian-on-laugh-in-dies-at-90/2019/07/03/077710ea-9dcb-11e9-85d6-5211733f92c7%5Fstory.html?utm%5Fterm=.5c97d1382760&ref=hyperallergic.com) Mickey Kapp (1930–2019), record producer who made mixtapes for astronauts |[ *NYT*](https://www.nytimes.com/2019/07/05/arts/music/mickey-kapp-dead.html?ref=hyperallergic.com) Leon Kossoff (1926–2019), British figurative painter |[ Apollo Magazine](https://www.apollo-magazine.com/leon-kossoff-tribute/?ref=hyperallergic.com) Spiro Malas (1933–2019), bass-baritone opera singer and actor |[ Opera News](https://www.operanews.com/Opera%5FNews%5FMagazine/2019/6/News/Spiro%5FMalas.html?ref=hyperallergic.com) Vivian Perlis (1928–2019), musicologist who founded Yale University’s Oral History of American Music |[ *NYT*](https://www.nytimes.com/2019/07/09/arts/music/vivian-perlis-dead.html?ref=hyperallergic.com) Marie Ponsot (1921–2019), poet |[ *NYT*](https://www.nytimes.com/2019/07/06/obituaries/marie-ponsot-dead-poet.html?ref=hyperallergic.com) Sid Ramin (1919–2019), orchestrator, arranger, and composer |[ *NYT*](https://www.nytimes.com/2019/07/05/arts/music/sid-ramin-dead.html?ref=hyperallergic.com) Jack Renner (1935–2019), sound engineer and counter of the Telarc International Corporation |[ Billboard](https://www.billboard.com/articles/news/obituary/8519259/jack-renner-telarc-label-dies-obituary-sound-engineer?ref=hyperallergic.com) Rip Torn (1931–2019), actor, voice artist, and comedian |[ The Wrap](https://www.thewrap.com/rip-torn-actor-known-for-men-in-black-and-the-larry-sanders-show-dies-at-88/?ref=hyperallergic.com) Max Wright (1943–2019), actor |[ Hollywood Reporter](https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/news/max-wright-dead-alf-dad-tony-nominated-actor-was-75-1221314?ref=hyperallergic.com)