Pembroke Pines, FL — In a recent turn of events, Les Gomez-Gonzalez, a Miami-based artist, withdrew from the upcoming exhibition “Ebb & Flow: Exploring the Womanhood Continuum” at the Frank C. Ortis Art Gallery. The decision came after discovering a clause in the vendor registration form that required adherence to Florida’s anti-Boycott, Divestment, and Sanctions (BDS) policy involving Israel. This clause, part of Florida Statute 287.135, mandates that vendors do not engage in any boycott activities against Israel. Gomez-Gonzalez, expressing solidarity with Palestine, chose to publicize the issue and exit the event, the only artist to do so.
Gomez-Gonzalez, invited initially in February, only learned of this requirement in late September during the final preparations for the exhibition. Highlighting this unexpected revelation, Gomez-Gonzalez took to Instagram on Nov. 18 to raise awareness about the incorporation of such clauses in contracts with state-funded institutions in Florida.
These legal stipulations are not new to the local arts scene, as other South Florida artists have faced censorship concerning Palestinian-related content. Earlier in the year, a portrait by Charles Gaines of the late Palestinian scholar Edward Said was temporarily removed from an exhibit in Miami without the artist’s consent. Additionally, a Miami Beach installation by Vũ Hoàng Khánh Nguyên was dismantled following a complaint about its pro-Palestinian message.
The controversy reflects a broader legislative pattern where public schools and universities in Florida are being prompted to review curricula for alleged anti-Israel bias, and pro-Palestine student organizations face prohibitions. This rises against a backdrop of significant financial investments in Israel from regions like Miami Beach, which recently doubled its investment in Israeli bonds to $20 million, and Palm Beach County, notably the largest international holder of such investments valued at over $700 million.
The Frank C. Ortis Art Gallery, supported financially by the City of Pembroke Pines, Broward County, and the State of Florida, is compelled by state law to incorporate the anti-BDS statute in its agreements. Initially, Gomez-Gonzalez approached the exhibition curators about the clause, finding that they too were unaware of its inclusion in the registration form.
The said statute, enacted on July 1, 2011, targets companies that boycott Israel or Israeli-controlled territories. Any company found non-compliant within a 90-day review period is subject to divestment and denial of contracts by the state of Florida. Notably, Unilever Global has appeared under scrutiny since distancing itself from its Ben and Jerry’s brand following its statements supporting Palestine.
This policy directly impacts local artists who depend on state funding. Within Broward County alone, similar statutory requirements have been identified in agreements for public art projects and utility box designs. Furthermore, a Key West public art request for the Frederick Douglass Community Center included this statute, highlighting its widespread inclusion.
Following her decision to withdraw, Gomez-Gonzalez received widespread support and sparked discussions around censorship, the power dynamics within the art community, and the broader implications of legislative control over cultural expression. These conversations highlight the tension between state policies and personal political beliefs, shedding light on the challenges facing artists in politically charged environments.
As the debate continues, it serves as a critical reminder of the complexities artists navigate in balancing creative expression with the legal and financial realities of their work. This incident prompts a broader discussion on the role of art in political discourse and the influence of state-funded institutions on cultural expression.
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