A University of Iowa fellow’s artistic sculpture depicting the “horrifying truth” of the Ku Klux Klan backfired on Friday, prompting the removal of the art by the police and an apology from both the artist and the school.
Television station KCRG reported the artist, Serhat Tanyolacar, placed the 7-foot-tall sculpture of a klan robe in a prominent spot on campus on Friday morning. The robe was made of screen prints showing newspaper front pages of violent racial turmoil throughout the nation’s history, according to the station.
The depiction caused on outcry from some on campus and police eventually removed the sculpture, KCRG reported.
Tanyolacar, apologized for his rendering, the student newspaper The Daily Iowan reported.
“I’m displaying the horrifying truth, the fact of racism,” Tanyolacar told the paper. “I understand this is a really touchy subject, and maybe it’s a really, really touchy time, but meanwhile I think we should all be a little more open minded [with discussing racism].”
“People don’t even know KKK is an existing presence,” Tanyolacar continued. “Showing it, seeing it… it will trigger awareness politically. Meanwhile, unfortunately it triggered anger. But I had no intention [to do so].”
The University of Iowa also released a statement obtained by the paper.
“The University of Iowa considers all forms of racism abhorrent and is deeply committed to the principles of inclusion and acceptance,” the statement said. “There is no room for divisive, insensitive, and intolerant displays on this campus. The display was not approved by nor sanctioned by the university. The UI respects freedom of speech, but the university is also responsible for ensuring that public discourse is respectful and sensitive.”
Image via Tanyolacar’s Facebook page.
