Recent developments could be seen as having paved the way: the Black Lives Matter movement, debates
over representation sparked by the #OscarSoWhite debacle, the resurgence of white nationalism and institutional racism resulting from Donald Trump's presidency.
The splotchy painting of a 14 - year - old Till — which
sparked a protest earlier this year while on display at the Whitney Biennial as well as furious debate
over censorship, race and
representation, and white privilege in the art world — is not on view at the ICA.