Alma Allen Doubles Down on Accusations Against Publicist David Resnicow of Working Against His Venice Biennale Pavilion
Artist Alma Allen renewed accusations that art publicist David Resnicow discouraged support for Allen’s controversial U.S. Pavilion at the 2026 Venice Biennale, writing in an Instagram post published Monday that two of three galleries that withdrew support said they did so on Resnicow’s advice. Allen said he has never met Resnicow but claimed multiple art-world figures told him Resnicow warned them not to support the pavilion; Allen previously named Resnicow in a March New York Times article that also reported Allen gained representation with Perrotin after Kasmin and Mendes Wood DM reportedly cut ties. Resnicow told ARTnews the allegations were “baffling” and denied telling anyone not to work with Allen, while previously telling the Times he had raised concerns about whether the American Arts Conservancy could realize the project. Allen also stated he did not apply for the commission and was invited by curator Jeffrey Uslip after being shortlisted by a committee with representatives from the National Endowment for the Arts, Arts in Embassies, and the Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs; he named Julie Mehretu, Barbara Chase-Riboud, Kennedy Yanko, and William Eggleston as other artists under consideration.
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This story was covered in Reopenings, Strikes, and Art’s Political Crossfire