Let's face it — we put artists on a pedestal.
We view them as mystical beings who can transform their most private emotions into something beautiful. Their talent is a superpower, a craft that could never come from a human being. Their work is flawless, and so are they.
Except artists are not godly or superior. They are humans who have flaws just like us.
But people idolize artists so much they ignore criticism. Instead of admitting that some artists have a dark past, admirers choose to focus on their exceptional creations. As the saying goes: "Separate the art from the artist.” But to what extent?
Throughout designer John Galliano’s illustrious career, he’s directed a multitude of dramatic and historical fashion shows showcasing his bold designs. He was one of the most innovative fashion designers of the ‘90s, pushing Dior into a postmodern direction. Designers and admirers alike look up to him for his unique approach that has left a mark on the fashion world.
Despite this influential career, his extensive background of antisemitic and racist incidents are hard to ignore. In 2011, he was arrested and fined in Paris for hurling racist and antisemitic insults at a bar. A video resurfaced of him in the same year declaring “I love Hitler” and other antisemitic statements, which ultimately got him fired from his role of creative director at Christian Dior.
July 31, fashion icon Anna Wintour decided to honor her close friend Galliano with a 2027 exhibit at the Metropolitan Museum of Art, coinciding with the annual Met Gala. Despite being aware of his controversial background, Wintour has attempted to revive Galliano’s legacy, so the exhibit comes as no surprise. There were plans to address his incidents at the exhibit, although how or to what extent is unknown.
After the Met announced the decision, donors threatened to pull out their funds, and Jewish leaders criticized the celebration. The exhibit was canceled a month later.
It can be easy to separate the art from the artist. But artists pour themselves and their beliefs into their creations. When we interact with their art, we are interacting with who they are as a person. There’s no way to completely ignore the artist when appreciating their art.
We need to view artists in their totality. Creating incredible art doesn’t erase past behavior. It doesn’t make sense for us to ignore incidents that negatively impact a group of people. By doing so, it makes the behavior seem inconsequential.
Honoring Galliano harms the group of people he offended because it conveys the idea his actions have a statute of limitations. Plus, Galliano, 65, is still alive and would have profited off of the exhibit’s publicity. His work, while incredible, should be approached with the nuance of knowing his prior misdeeds.
We can never truly ignore an artist's personal beliefs or past behavior because their art reflects who they are as a person. Art is the act of expressing oneself. If we are ignoring who created the art, aren't we also ignoring its meaning?
Appreciating art while also recognizing the artist is not perfect is possible. We can admire a masterful painting and still recognize the painter may not have a perfect track record. Recognizing an artist as a complicated person does not discredit their work but forces a more raw perspective. At the end of the day, artists are humans who should be held accountable for their actions — just like everyone else.
Contact Ella Finkelstein at efinkelstein@alligator.org. Follow her on X @Ellamfink.
Ella Finkelstein is a second year majoring in Journalism and minoring in Innovation. This is her first semester working on the Alligator staff.
