The University of North Texas will no longer host an art exhibit that promotes illegal border crossings and attacks the federal agencies responsible for enforcing U.S. immigration law.
As first reported by the Denton Record-Chronicle, UNT officials canceled the exhibit last week. It had previously been scheduled to open on February 19.
The exhibit, “Ni de aquí, ni de allá” was created by Victor Quinonez, a Boston-based artist. It was originally organized by Boston University.
According to the exhibit website, it is “a deep exploration of identity shaped by immigration, incarceration, and resilience.”
“The artist’s signature ‘Neo Indigenous’ style merges graffiti, hip-hop, and Chicanx [sic] aesthetics with the visual languages of Mexican and Indigenous tradition,” the website continues.
“For visitors, this exhibition offers both a sanctuary and conversational provocation, challenging viewers to reflect on the humanitarian and social issues shaping the immigrant experience and inspiring a sense of pride, empathy, and action.”
The exhibit includes imagery that supports illegal border crossings and uses several derogatory terms to refer to U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement and the Department of Homeland Security.
Quinonez accused UNT of censorship in a social media post two days after the exhibit was canceled.
The University of North Texas is a component of the University of North Texas System. The UNT system is overseen by a Board of Regents that is appointed by the governor and confirmed by the Texas Senate. Carlos Munguia is the current board chairman.
If you are a student, parent, faculty member, or concerned citizen who would like to partner with us to promote transparency in taxpayer subsidized higher education, please email [email protected].
