“Four more artists have withdrawn from the Sydney Biennale…” [#geekgirl]
[From an article at Artshub] “Four more artists have withdrawn from the Sydney Biennale in response to its refusal to sever ties with Transfield. This brings to nine the number of artists who have pulled out of the Biennale because of its partnership with Transfield, which manages the offshore detention of asylum seekers.
Agnieszka Polska, Sara van der Heide, Nicoline van Harskamp and Nathan Gray announced today they would not participate in the prestigious exhibition. They have asked the Biennale to leave their spaces blank so their protest will be obvious.
Last week Libia Castro, Ólafur Ólafsson, Charlie Sofo, Gabrielle de Vietri and Ahmet Öğüt announced they would boycott the Sydney Biennale because they object to sponsorship by Transfield.
‘We withdraw to send a message to the Biennale urging them, again, to act ethically and transparently. To send a message to Transfield that we will not add value to their brand and its inhumane enterprise. Finally, and most importantly, we withdraw to send a message to the Australian Government that we do not accept their unethical policy against asylum seekers,’ the first group of artists said in a statement, which has been endorsed by the additional withdrawing artists.
The boycotts came after a letter, now signed by 37 artists, asked the Biennale to cancel its partnership arrangement with Transfield.”