Art World Figure Steps Down After Epstein Document Release
David A. Ross, a prominent curator and director, has resigned from his position at the School of Visual Arts in New York following the publication of documents that revealed his association with convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein. The school confirmed Ross's departure on Tuesday, stating it was aware of correspondence between him and Epstein.
Revelations from Released Correspondence
The resignation comes after the U.S. Department of Justice released over three million pages of documents on Friday, which included emails showing Ross's friendly relationship with Epstein. In messages dating back to 2009, Ross engaged in banter with Epstein, arranged meetings, and offered consolation, referring to him as "incredible" and expressing pride in their friendship.
One particularly disturbing exchange from 2009 saw Epstein propose an exhibition titled "Statutory" featuring participants aged 14 to 25 who would appear older than their actual years. Ross responded with admiration, calling Epstein "incredible" and referencing Brooke Shields' nude photography at age ten.
Defence and Regret from Ross
Following his resignation, Ross explained to ARTnews that he initially met Epstein in the mid-1990s while serving as director of the Whitney Museum of American Art in New York. He stated that cultivating relationships with potential museum supporters was part of his professional responsibilities at the time.
Ross acknowledged that Epstein had been convicted in 2008 on Florida charges of soliciting prostitution involving a minor, but claimed he believed Epstein's assertion that the case was politically motivated. He expressed particular regret about reaching out to Epstein in 2019 during renewed investigations, calling it "a terrible mistake of judgement" and stating he felt "mortified and ashamed" upon learning the full extent of Epstein's crimes.
Institutional Response and Career Background
The School of Visual Arts removed Ross's online profile shortly after announcing his resignation. Ross had been serving as chair of the MFA art practice programme at the institution. His extensive career includes leadership positions at several prestigious art institutions, including the San Francisco Museum of Modern Art, the Institute of Contemporary Art in Boston, the Berkeley Art Museum, and the Long Beach Museum of Art.
The Whitney Museum has not yet commented on Ross's statements regarding his tenure there. Attempts to contact Ross for further comment have been unsuccessful according to reports.
This development represents another ripple effect from the ongoing release of documents related to Jeffrey Epstein's network, highlighting how associations with the disgraced financier continue to impact professionals across various sectors years after his crimes became public knowledge.
