Artforum Editor David Velasco Fired After Publishing Ceasefire Letter, Prompts Staff and Artist Boycott

Following backlash over letter supporting Palestinian liberation, four Artforum staffers and prominent artists Nan Goldin and Nicole Eisenman resign in support of former editor David Velasco's unwavering commitment to free speech.

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.