Artist Alma Allen has publicly accused veteran art publicist David Resnicow of working against his U.S. Pavilion at the 2026 Venice Biennale. In an Instagram post, Allen claimed that two of three galleries that withdrew their support did so on Resnicow's advice, and that Resnicow warned arts writers, museum directors, funders, and curators not to support the pavilion. Resnicow denied the allegations, calling them "baffling" and stating he never told anyone not to work with Allen. This marks the second time Allen has named Resnicow, following a New York Times article in March.
The controversy highlights one of the most contentious Biennale cycles in recent memory, with criticism targeting both Allen's abstract sculptures and the opaque selection process involving the American Arts Conservancy, the National Endowment for the Arts, Arts in Embassies, and the Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs. Allen claims he did not apply for the commission and was approached by curator Jeffrey Uslip, while critics argue his work lacks relevance to the current political climate. The dispute underscores tensions around institutional transparency, reputational risk, and the role of publicists in shaping art-world support.