Art exhibit at East Tennessee State links Trump, conservatives, Christianity to Hitler

An art exhibit at East Tennessee State University’s (ETSU) Reece Museum has sparked backlash for featuring a depiction of House Speaker Mike Johnson in front of Nazi swastikas that morph into Christian crosses along with other imagery connecting conservatives, Donald Trump and Christianity to Hitler.

The artwork is on display in the Fletcher Exhibit at the museum, which is held in remembrance of former student Fletcher Dyer who passed away in 2009. The exhibit invites artists to submit works addressing global issues. According to Campus Reform, the display also includes depictions of President-elect Donald Trump alongside swastikas, Adolf Hitler, and Ku Klux Klan imagery, as well as other pieces showing conservative figures next to antisemitic slogans like "Jews will not replace us."

One controversial piece, titled Evolution, portrays Speaker Johnson alongside swastikas turning into crosses. The artist, Joel Gibbs, said the work critiques what he perceives as a connection between fascism and certain right-wing Christian groups.

"The fascism we seem to have in this country has attached itself to extreme right Christian groups,” Gibbs said, according to WJHL. “So I just figured by having a cross evolve into a swastika with him there smirking, it would sort of just give a, it’s a very large political cartoon in my sensibility.”

The Reece Museum’s exhibit features over 90 pieces of art. While there is no official theme, exhibit co-director Carrie Dyer stated her support for "artwork that advocates for democracy, voting rights, and confronts systemic racism." Part of the proceeds from the exhibit go toward funding a scholarship for an ETSU creative design student.The exhibit has drawn criticism, prompting ETSU President Brian Noland to release a statement addressing the concerns.

“I am aware of the concerns that have been raised about works selected to appear in this year’s FL3TCHER EXHIBIT on display in the Reece Museum,” Noland said, per WJHL. “As a Christian and the son of a veteran, I can say that I personally find some of the views expressed in this year’s exhibit abhorrent. However, as the president of a public university, which is bound by the laws of the State of Tennessee as well as the U.S. Constitution, I must ensure that our university adheres to state and federal law.”

"I am working to gain more information, and we will undertake an examination of the process through which we allow guest artists, speakers, and other third-party groups to present information on campus,” he added.