Two artists are raising concerns after alleging that City of Guelph personnel modified an art exhibition they had created without authorization. Kween and Raechele Lovell, the city’s artists-in-residence, were requested to showcase their artwork at Guelph city hall with the intent of representing local Black and Indigenous perspectives.
In an exhibit named Echoes of Liberation, the artists aimed to convey their thoughts openly. The display featured a noose symbolizing lynching, a black mannequin adorned with a keffiyeh, and a framed sign that included a term deemed offensive by the city.
The contentious part of the sign read: “I am sick of racist bullshit.” City staff claimed they were unaware that the term “bullshit” would be included in the installation and promptly removed the sign before engaging in a dialogue with Kween and Lovell.
Lovell criticized the sign’s removal as an act of censorship, emphasizing their approach as emergent strategists who let their processes guide the artwork. She questioned the motives behind the city staff’s actions, suggesting that the powerful anti-racism message of their art might have triggered discomfort.
The artists speculated whether racism influenced the decision to take down the sign, a claim the City of Guelph declined to address. The ensuing dispute led Kween and Lovell to dismantle their exhibit on the same day and cancel a scheduled performance.
Selected as artists-in-residence in April, Lovell and Kween had developed the exhibit as part of a broader year-long project, specifically for Ontario Culture Days 2025. The Echoes of Liberation exhibit was slated for unveiling on Oct. 3, but city staff intervened during the opening, deeming the word on the sign objectionable and removing it before discussing the matter with the artists.
Kween expressed disappointment over the city’s unilateral modifications, emphasizing the importance of artistic freedom and cultural dialogue. She called for transparency from the city, highlighting a perceived contradiction between its stated commitment to amplifying Black and Indigenous voices and the act of censorship in response to discomfort.
Responding to the artists’ grievances, the City of Guelph clarified that its intention was not to censor or stifle the artists but to maintain a welcoming environment at city hall free of profanity. The city referenced an agreement clause requiring artists to conduct themselves appropriately and respect city-owned facilities, staff, and visitors.
While expressing regret over the outcome of discussions with the artists, the city affirmed its respect for the artists’ decision to remove the art installation. The statement reiterated the city’s commitment to balancing artistic expression with creating an inclusive space.