More than 20 artists participating in London’s Institute of Contemporary Arts (ICA) New Contemporaries exhibition walked out on 14 January in support of pro-Palestine demonstrators. The ICA described the protest as misguided and based on misinformation, highlighting calls for it to sever ties with Bloomberg Philanthropies, which sponsors the exhibition.
The protest was led by the UK Jinnaah of the Gaza Biennale and supported by the Palestinian Youth Movement. Demonstrators allege Bloomberg Philanthropies aids initiatives in Israel that facilitate settlement infrastructure in the West Bank, a claim the philanthropy did not comment on.
Among the protesting artists were Roo Dhissou and Fi Isidore, who expressed solidarity with the Gaza Biennale. Dhissou noted that New Contemporaries thrived for decades without Bloomberg’s funding, urging the ICA to reject this sponsorship.
The ICA clarified that it has not received funding from Bloomberg Philanthropies since 2020, asserting that the request to sever ties was difficult to fulfill. It maintains that it promotes dialogue and debate, despite calling the protest misguided due to misinformation.
A New Contemporaries spokesperson acknowledged accepting undisclosed funding from Bloomberg for the exhibition, showing support for artists’ rights to protest. Protesters also raised issues regarding former ICA staff redundancies related to solidarity actions with Palestine, a claim ICA management denied.
During the demonstration, images of Gaza Biennale artists were displayed on the ICA’s walls, showcasing the resilience and ongoing work of over 60 Palestinian artists despite wartime challenges. The New Contemporaries exhibition features 35 artists selected through an open call, aimed at supporting emerging talents in the arts.

The protest at the ICA reflects ongoing tensions surrounding the Israeli-Palestinian conflict, particularly in how arts institutions engage with funding sources perceived to support Israeli policies. This action indicates a broader movement among artists to advocate for Palestinian rights and re-evaluate sponsorships that may contradict their values, illustrating the complexity of funding in contemporary art.

The recent walkout by artists at the ICA underscores the contentious debate over funding sources and their implications in the context of the Israeli-Palestinian conflict. While the ICA maintains its commitment to dialogue, the protest highlights a growing demand among artists for ethical funding and support, reflecting larger societal issues within the art community.

Original Source: www.theartnewspaper.com

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