Overview

• David Velasco, the former editor at Artforum, was fired following the publication of an open letter supporting Palestinian liberation and calling for a ceasefire in Gaza, triggering a significant backlash within the art world.
• The fallout from Velasco's firing led to the resignation of four Artforum staff members and provoked a boycott from acclaimed artists Nan Goldin and Nicole Eisenman.
• The controversial open letter, which was endorsed by thousands of artists, did not initially mention the Hamas attack on October 7 that killed 1,400 Israelis, prompting criticism and leading to revisions.
• Critics and dealers accused the publication of breaching its editorial standards by publishing the letter without proper oversight and context.
• Following his dismissal, Velasco reported regret, accusing Artforum of bending to outside pressure and contradicting its reputation for promoting free speech.