Galleries stop working with arts donor after sex harassment claims
SCOTLAND’S national galleries has ceased working with one of the most powerful figures in the art world, the collector Anthony d’Offay, over allegations of sexual harassment.
The National Galleries of Scotland said it has suspended contact with Mr d’Offay, who founded the Artist Rooms collection that he donated to the galleries and the Tate in London a decade ago.
Mr d’Offay, 78, is facing allegations of sexual harassment and inappropriate behaviour, dating from between 1997 to 2004, from three former female colleagues.
He has now also stepped down from his role as ex-officio curator at the Artist Rooms project.
Mr d’Offay said he is “appalled” by the allegations, adding: “I categorically deny the claims being made.”
However, the galleries have suspended contact with Mr d’Offay until “these matters have been clarified”.
The Metropolitan Police is investigating Mr d’Offay after receiving a complaint from a woman that he sent her malicious messages.
A police spokesman said no arrests have been made, but enquiries into “an allegation of malicious communications” are continuing.
One former employee at Mr d’Offay’s London gallery has spoken out, despite signing a non-disclosure agreement when she left his employment.
She told The Observer newspaper that, in 2000, he approached her while she was on the phone and “grabbed” her.
She added: “I pushed him away. Because I was on the phone I could not scream. Pushing him away was the only thing I could do.”
Another former colleague said she had previously not spoken out about Mr d’Offay’s behaviour because of his position in the arts world.
The woman claimed she had rejected his unwanted advances and, subsequently, he had tried to punish her professionally.
Mr d’Offay’s collection, which has been seen in more than 100 exhibitions by 29 million visitors, includes works by Damien Hirst, Joseph Beuys and Andy Warhol.
He said he had left the Artist Rooms project because he was 78 it was “time to retire” from the post.
Mr d’Offay added: “I am completely unaware of any police investigation. If there is one, then police time is being wasted.”
A spokesman for the National Galleries of Scotland confirmed it had been made aware of serious allegations of sexual harassment and inappropriate behaviour by Mr d’Offay.
He said: “In 2008, Mr d’Offay was the donor of the Artist Rooms collection, which is now owned and jointly managed by Tate and NGS. Mr d’Offay stepped down from any connection with Artist Rooms in December 2017.
“In the light of these allegations, Tate and NGS have decided it is appropriate to suspend any further contact with Mr d’Offay until these matters have been clarified.
“The work of Tate and NGS is underpinned by values of fairness, equality and respect and the right to work free of sexual harassment.
“We expect these values to be demonstrated in the behaviour of everyone who is involved in our organisations.”
If there is an investigation, then police time is being wasted