Art School Chair Steps Down Following Epstein Email Revelations
David A. Ross, the chair of the MFA art practice programme at the School of Visual Arts in New York, has resigned from his position after emails documenting his correspondence with convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein were exposed in the latest document release. The school confirmed his departure on Tuesday, stating it was "aware of correspondence" between Ross and Epstein, and promptly removed his online profile from their website.
Email Exchanges Reveal Supportive Friendship
The emails, dating back to 2009, show Ross engaging in friendly banter with Epstein, arranging meetings, and offering consolation. In one particularly troubling exchange, Epstein proposed an exhibition titled "Statutory" featuring participants aged 14 to 25 who "look nothing like their true ages." Ross responded by calling Epstein "incredible" and noted that Brooke Shields had posed nude at age ten.
Later that same year, Ross wrote to console Epstein following a deposition, stating, "Damn, this was not what you needed or deserved. I know how tough you are, and in fact, it probably bothers me as your friend more than it does you."
Ross Defends Initial Belief in Epstein's Innocence
In a statement to ARTnews after his resignation, Ross explained that he first met Epstein in the mid-1990s while serving as director of the Whitney Museum of American Art in New York. "It was part of my job to befriend people who had the capacity and interest in supporting the museum," he said. Ross admitted that he believed Epstein's claim that his 2008 conviction for soliciting prostitution from a minor was "a political frame-up."
Ross expressed profound regret for his actions, particularly for reaching out to show support during Epstein's 2019 investigation. "That was a terrible mistake of judgement. When the reality of his crimes became clear, I was mortified and remain ashamed that I fell for his lies," he told ARTnews.
Wider Context of the Document Release
The emails are part of a massive trove of over three million pages of documents released by the U.S. Department of Justice last Friday, which have unveiled connections between Epstein and various high-profile individuals. Ross's resignation marks another fallout from this extensive disclosure, highlighting the ongoing repercussions of Epstein's network.
Throughout his career, Ross has held prestigious positions at several major institutions, including:
- The San Francisco Museum of Modern Art
- The Institute of Contemporary Art in Boston
- The Berkeley Art Museum
- The Long Beach Museum of Art
Attempts by The Associated Press to contact Ross for further comment have been unsuccessful, and the Whitney Museum has not immediately responded to requests for comment regarding his tenure there.
