Each spring, the AIPAD Photography Show in New York platforms over a hundred galleries from all over the world. This year Ag Galerie Tehran, which specializes in contemporary works from the Middle East, was set to be a first time Iranian presenter but unfortunately now will be a no-show, unable to participate due to the Trump travel ban.
Though Trump’s executive order(s) have been blocked by the courts, Ag Galerie owners say that they didn’t want to risk traveling to the United States or having their art held up in customs.
Instead of captivating photography, Booth 317 will now feature a single sheet of paper explaining why the space is empty, says Catherine Edelman, owner of the Catherine Edelman Gallery in Chicago. “It’s a quiet way of acknowledging what’s going on… It’s important for the art world to acknowledge the immigration ban and the effect it’s having on the arts.”
