Judge Orders Return of Slavery Exhibit at President’s House, Barbican Director Devyani Saltzman Departs: Morning Links for February 17, 2026

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The Headlines

GEORGE ORWELL-IAN. On Monday, a judge ruled the Trump administration cannot alter historical facts and must temporarily rehang an exhibition about slavery at a monument to George Washington and John Adams’ home in Philadelphia, while a lawsuit proceeds, reports the New York Times. Last month, the Interior Department and the National Park Service removed displays about slave history, including Washington’s ownership of slaves at the so-called President’s House, to ensure “accuracy, honesty and alignment with shared national values.” But the City of Philadelphia hit back with a lawsuit. Now, by the sounds of Judge Cynthia M. Rufe’s opinion in favor of a preliminary injunction against removing the show, the city has a strong case. “As if the Ministry of Truth in George Orwell’s ‘1984’ now existed, with its motto ‘Ignorance Is Strength,’ this court is now asked to determine whether the federal government has the power it claims—to dissemble and disassemble historical truths when it has some domain over historical facts,” Rufe wrote. “It does not.”

BACKING OUT AT THE BARBICAN. Barbican director Devyani Saltzman is abruptly leaving her job, which she started in February 2024, reports the Guardian. The surprising news comes just months after Saltzman presented a five-year plan for the London arts venue, which has been caught up in turmoil over the past five years. Last month, Abigail Pogson joined the institution as chief executive, but to date, there are reportedly no plans to replace Saltzman and the Barbican would not comment further. Saltzman was brought in following controversy sparked by the Barbican’s cancellation of a lecture series that included a talk by writer Pankaj Mishra, titled “The Shoah after Gaza.” In response, several artists removed their work from an exhibition at the time.

The Digest

The Museo Reina Sofia in Madrid is investigating an incident involving visitors who came to the museum with Israeli fags and Stars of David. A viral video of the incident appears to show security officers expelling the visitors from the museum. [ARTnews]

Ahead of Frieze Week in Los Angeles this month, several artists have reflected on how the devastating fires reshaped their lives and work. On the first anniversary of the fire that destroyed her Altadena home, Christina Quarles said it brought the “realization that healing and grieving are lifelong practices.” She will present her first Hauser & Wirth show in her native LA, titled “The Ground Glows Black.” [Financial Times]

Italian curator Francesco Bonami, director of the By Art Matters museum in Hangzhou, China, has reflected on innovation in his work. On engaging local audiences, he noted: “In the West, growing up often meant hearing ‘why?’ over and over, with long delays before a project could even get off the ground. In China, it’s usually ‘why not?’—followed by swift, sometimes almost startling, execution.” [Observer]

Archaeologists have found a rare elephant foot bone in an Iron Age dig near Cordoba, Southern Spain, offering evidence backing the legend of the Carthaginian General Hannibal, who used the animals to fight the Romans. [BBC]

The Kicker

BORN AGAIN. Interviews with Tracy Emin usually make for interesting reading, but a recent chat the Guardian’s Charlotte Higgins is especially rich with insight. Coinciding with her forthcoming Tate Modern show, “Second Life,” it reveals more about the artist’s brush with death—which inspired the exhibition’s title. Despite the punishing daily challenges of her cancer battle, Emin’s resilience and newfound happiness are remarkable.