The Daily Iowan reported earlier this morning that a statue depicting a Klu Klux Klan member appeared on the Pentacrest, created and placed by Serhat Tanyolacar, the recipient of the 2014-15 printmaking fellowship at the University of Iowa.
The art installation, which has since been removed, was not affiliated with the university. Tanyolacar intended to raise awareness about the issue of racism, according to reports. KCRG reported the statue was originally crafted in 2010, and said it had been on display at a museum in Florida before recent events in Ferguson and New York City inspired the artist to move the art to Iowa City.
The story behind the KKK statue: “negative moments in American history might lead to progress” http://t.co/zhKXDdzPbo
— Lyndsie Angus (@SHOTZ_allaround) December 5, 2014
In a press release, the University of Iowa said they have “no tolerance for racism” and they found the artwork to be “deeply offensive to members of [the] community,” and subsequently asked Tanyolacar to remove the artwork.
Although some community members were supportive, others were notably upset by the display and many responded on Twitter.
Act of racism or act of protest? Earlier today in front of the Pentacrest. pic.twitter.com/UtxGxG4Z9y
— Kendrew Panyanouvong (@kend0o) December 5, 2014
With KKK newspaper clippings… EVERYONE should of been at that protest last night!! This was put on our Pentacrest! pic.twitter.com/1i4bUpN6Rj
— Royonah Marble (@Broomhilda_) December 5, 2014
So apparently there is a KKK figure in the middle of the pentacrest #welcometoiowa #2014
— ❤️RonniSaidThat❤️ (@XBeautyXBrains_) December 5, 2014
I’m still confused as to why there is a KKK statue on the pentacrest..?
— ⚾ Yu Darvish ⚾ (@Reed_Malcolm) December 5, 2014
This is what happens at the University of Iowa. KKK statue on our Pentacrest! We march to the President’s office NOW! pic.twitter.com/zGZdMsGcpW
— RedVelvet (@BlondiesBlack) December 5, 2014
They keep calling the KKK statue that was put up in front of the Pentacrest “artwork”… how is this art? @uiowa @NAACPUiowa
— KaylaDelRey (@Loving___Kayla) December 5, 2014
Students also responded in protest, with students on social media calling for a march on President Sally Mason’s office. The University also held a closed meeting for students and faculty members at the Iowa Memorial Union to air their grievances. Some have called for the removal of Serhat Tanyolacar as the 2014-2015 Grant Wood printmaking fellow.
any UofIowa student that had a problem with the KKK statue should come to the Iowa Theater in the IMU to speak w/ faculty on the issue.
— laryn. ♥ (@xolarynrenae) December 5, 2014
#uiowa, we are meeting at the Pentacrest now to march to Sally Mason’s office in response to the KKK statue displayed on campus for 4 hours!
— Venson Curington II (@VSC_2) December 5, 2014
At around 3:50 p.m. this afternoon, a Twitter account purporting to be that of Serhat Tanyolacar released a series of statements explaining the intentions of the work, in addition to offering an apology.
As an artist and activist defending human rights for his entire life I am utterly saddened today.
— serhat tanyolacar (@artserhat) December 5, 2014
I have fought against racism, prejudice , bigotry, injustice and inequality for my life
— serhat tanyolacar (@artserhat) December 5, 2014
I apologize and am deeply sorry for anger and confusion I might havecaused today due to a public art work solely focusing raising awareness
— serhat tanyolacar (@artserhat) December 5, 2014
My sole purpose again was and is raising awareness over racism, prejudice, racial supremacy and all violance embodied in these ideologies
— serhat tanyolacar (@artserhat) December 5, 2014
All I have right now sadness as my feelings as an activist, as an artist, as a human rights defender. I am very very sorry.
— serhat tanyolacar (@artserhat) December 5, 2014
View the full University of Iowa statement below:
The University of Iowa is a diverse community with no tolerance for racism, and the artwork that was briefly displayed on the Pentacrest this morning was deeply offensive to members of our community. Because it was placed without permission, university officials directed the visiting artist who created it to remove it, which he did.
The University of Iowa considers all forms of racism abhorrent and is deeply committed to the principles of inclusion and acceptance. 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.
Drew Bulman contributed to this report.
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