Internal communications from the University of North Texas have revealed that school leadership intentionally canceled an anti-ICE exhibition by artist Victor “Marka27” Quiñonez to avoid political backlash from state officials. The leaked messages show President Harrison Keller and Provost Michael McPherson weighing the risks of “barking from Austin” before opting for a total cancellation, while Dean Karen Hutzel specifically instructed staff not to express regret or apologize to the artist.
In broader market news, the 2025 Art Basel and UBS Art Market Report indicates a fragile recovery with global sales reaching $59.6 billion, a 4 percent year-over-year increase. While the auction sector saw a strong rebound driven by trophy sales of Old Masters and Impressionist works, the market for living contemporary artists continued to decline, highlighting a flight to safety among collectors in a volatile economic climate.