Don't Look Now: A Defense of Free Expression

Evan Apodaca, Leopoldo Bloom, Margarita Cabrera, Mel Chin, Abigail DeVille, Tamar Ettun, Shepard Fairey, Andil Gosine, Clarity Haynes, Yvonne Iten-Scott, Alex Jochim, Sari Nordman, Katrina Majkut, Jean-Paul Mallozzi, Jessica Doe Mehta, Vũ Khanh Nguyen H., Shey Rivera Rios, Dread Scott, Danielle SeeWalker, Susan Silas, Kelly Sinnapah Mary, Marilyn Minter, Ali Syverson, Michelle Talibah, Spencer Tunick, Martha Wilson

Censorship of US artists, authors, and late-night comedians is making front page headlines. Coinciding with this frightening turn of events, Art at a Time Like This presents Don't Look Now: A Defense of Free Expression, featuring artists who have been impacted by authoritarian repression.

Margarita Cabrera–who withdrew in September from a symposium at the Smithsonian due to restrictions on public access to the event–has just been added to the roster. Additionally, Don’t Delete Art, the national organization fighting censorship on social media, has contributed a video of 10 artists whose works are banned from digital platforms: Alphachanneling, Elsa Marie Keefe, Emma Shapiro, Eva Mueller, Jarid Blue, Jennifer O'Connell, Leah Schrager, Reuben Negron, Robert Andy Coombs and Savannah Spirit.

Censorship did not start in 2025, but has been on the rise in several U.S. states since 2020. There has been a distinct increase in self-censorship at universities, museums and public art projects. This has only been compounded by the aggressious attacks on the Smithsonian and other art institutions, plus the sudden rescinding of NEA funds from art organizations encouraging diversity or “gender politics.” All together, censorship goes beyond mere removal of art works and includes withdrawal of funding, cancellation of planned exhibitions and segregating artworks deemed offensive and firing artists from academic positions for expressing controversial views, even in their private digital accounts.

Art at a Time Like This thanks the National Coalition Against Censorship, Don’t Delete Art and Artists at Risk Connection for their invaluable advice and encouragement. Special thanks to boardmember Jane Lombard whose gallery generously helped throughout the installation process and allowed their registrar Nicholas Hall to assist with loans and shipping. Thanks to all our board and advisory board members who have made this show possible, especially Sue Stoffel who is funding our opening event and Andy Cushman of Blue Medium who is handling our public relations. Thank you so much to all the individuals who made the show possible, including Molly Gochman of the Stardust Fund and a substantial contribution from an anonymous donor.