Polish art show defies ‘cancel culture’ but some see racism

By VANESSA GERA
Associated Press

WARSAW, Poland (AP) — A new exhibition at a Polish state museum features the works of provocative artists in what organizers describe as a celebration of free speech, and a challenge to political correctness and “cancel culture.” But some critics are accusing the show’s organizers of using arguments about artistic freedom as a pretext to give a platform to antisemitic, racist and Islamophobic messages. The exhibit that opens Friday is only the second under the museum director who was appointed by Poland’s conservative ruling party in 2019. Since winning power in 2015, the party has harnessed the country’s cultural institutions in a mission to promote conservative and patriotic values.