Renowned British artist and Turner Prize recipient Tai Shani has decided to withdraw her upcoming monograph with Phaidon, the esteemed fine art publisher linked to Leon Black. This decision follows serious allegations of sexual assault against Black, recently highlighted in newly released documents from the Department of Justice.
In an announcement made via her Instagram account on February 17, Shani expressed her concerns regarding the "numerous horrific allegations" detailed in the latest files. She emphasized the human impact behind these accusations, stating, "Behind these allegations, whose specifics many of us have read with horror, are human beings, victims: young women, children, often from precarious backgrounds, real lives exploited and destroyed."
Phaidon has yet to respond to inquiries regarding Shani's withdrawal.
Leon Black, who previously served as the CEO of Apollo Global Management and is currently a trustee at the Museum of Modern Art (MoMA), acquired Phaidon in 2012. His past financial dealings with Jeffrey Epstein, including a $158 million payment for financial advice after Epstein's initial conviction for sex trafficking minors, have come under scrutiny. Black has consistently denied any wrongdoing, claiming he was unaware of Epstein's illicit activities.
As investigations into Epstein's connections continue, Black is facing multiple lawsuits from women alleging sexual assault. Some of these cases have been dismissed or withdrawn, but the recent release of Epstein's files has shed light on disturbing details, including allegations from a woman who claims Black abused her when she was just 16.
In a prior statement, Black's attorney firmly denied the allegations, labeling them as false and fraudulent. In addition to the ongoing lawsuits, Black has faced accusations from at least two other women, with varying outcomes in court.
This is not the first instance of Phaidon losing a book deal due to controversies surrounding its owner. In 2021, the activist group Guerrilla Girls also canceled a planned publication with Phaidon, citing Black's connections to Epstein.
Although Black stepped down from his role as board chair at MoMA in 2021, he remains a trustee. The Guerrilla Girls have recently reiterated their call for MoMA to sever ties with him, emphasizing the need for accountability.
Shani, who is known for her diverse artistic practice that includes film, photography, and performance, described her withdrawal from the book deal as an essential act of moral consistency. She views this decision as a feminist practice, stating, "Not a retreat, or a silence, but a refusal to contribute to any cover for the violence and the misogyny that underpin so many spheres of culture."
