A group of 50 artists and cultural figures has sent a letter to Judy Chicago and Pussy Riot founding member Nadya Tolokonnikova, accusing them of “artwashing” for their collaborative exhibition “What If Women Ruled the World?” scheduled to open September 25 at the Tel Aviv Museum of Art. The letter calls for the exhibition’s cancellation, arguing that it is hypocritical to present a feminist show at an Israeli institution while Israel’s military actions in Gaza have killed over 28,000 women and girls since October 2023, according to UN Women. Tolokonnikova has stated she is not involved in decisions about the work’s current venue, while museum director Tania Coen-Uzzielli rejected the idea that canceling exhibitions is a meaningful response to the conflict.
The controversy highlights the growing pressure on artists and institutions to take political stances on the Israel-Gaza war, particularly in the art world where accusations of “artwashing” have become a recurring tactic to challenge exhibitions in or from Israel. The case also underscores tensions between feminist activism and geopolitical realities, as Chicago and Tolokonnikova’s project—which asks what would happen if women ruled the world—is criticized for ignoring the daily violations of women’s rights in the region. The outcome could set a precedent for how museums and artists navigate such ethical and political demands.