Writer and curator David Ross has resigned from his role as chair of the MFA Art Practice program at New York’s School of Visual Arts (SVA) after it was revealed that he featured several times in the latest release of the Epstein files. The SVA has accepted his resignation effective immediately.
Documents released in January by the American Department of Justice relating to the case of convicted child sex offender Jeffrey Epstein show correspondence between Epstein and Ross dating between 2009 and 2016. The emails include Ross reaching out to Epstein while he was under investigation and after he was convicted.
In 2009, after Epstein had already served several months in jail following a guilty plead to procuring a minor for prostitution, Epstein messaged Ross about funding an exhibition titled ‘statutory’.
‘girls and boys ages 14 – 25.. where they look nothing like their true ages. Juvenile mug shots. , photo shop, make up. Some people go to prison because they can’t tell true age. controversial . fun .’
Ross replied: ‘You are incredible. This would be a very owerful [sic] and freaky book. Do you know that total porno commercial kiddie picture of Brooke Sheilds [sic] that Richard Prince appropriated for an exhibition in the early 1980’s?’
Also in 2009, Ross wrote: ‘Glad the nightmare is over, Jeffrey… it was an underserved punishment foisted upon you by jealous creeps.’
An email from later in the year with the subject line ‘so sorry’ reads: ‘I’m in London and just saw that stupid abortive deposition video on HuffPo. Damn, this was not what you needed or deserved.’
In 2015, after a new lawsuit generated renewed interest around the Epstein case, Ross wrote: ‘It is depressing to see how you are once again being dragged through the mud. I’m still proud to call you a friend. I know you are strong, but still…’
Speaking to Artnews, Ross said Epstein told him he had been ‘the subject of a political frame-up… When the reality of his crimes became clear, I was mortified and remain ashamed that I fell for his lies.’
Ross was formerly director of the Boston ICA, the Whitney and SFMoMA, and had been chair of the MFA Art Practice program at the SVA since 2009.
