The San Francisco Museum of Modern Art (SFMOMA) has parted ways with its head curator of contemporary art, Eungie Joo, over a violation of the museum's workplace conduct policy. The departure of Joo, effective last Tuesday, came without a detailed explanation, maintaining the confidential nature common in personnel matters, as confirmed by a spokesperson to the San Francisco Chronicle.
In her time at the museum, Joo, who joined SFMOMA in 2017, became known for examining topics rooted in race, identity, and social justice through art. She installed Kara Walker’s "Fortuna and the Immortality Garden (Machine)", a free public display among the most significant events at SFMOMA this year. The event drew critical acclaim and highlighted Joo’s long-standing professional relationship with Kara Walker, which spanned 25 years.
Before her role at SFMOMA, Joo was a recognized figure in the international art scene, having been the curator of education and public programs at the New Museum in New York from 2007 to 2012, and in her stint, curated the Sharjah Biennial 2015, where artists from various countries brought new commissions and performances to the United Arab Emirates event, she also served as artistic director for the fifth Anyang Public Art Project in South Korea and led the Korean Pavilion at the 53rd Venice Biennale in 2009, she holds a doctorate in ethnic studies from UC Berkeley after graduating from Vassar College.
The museum has experienced a series of upheavals, with critical staff departures and scrutiny of leadership following the murder of George Floyd in 2020. During this period, SFMOMA saw the exit of senior figures, including Gary Garrels, who resigned amidst controversy over his remarks, and Director Neal Benezra, who announced his departure plan in 2021. However, he claimed the decision predated the turmoil. Christopher Bedford assumed the director's role in June 2022 after him.
As reported by The San Francisco Standard, Joo has declined to comment on her firing. As for SFMOMA, the spokesperson stated, "In accordance with institutional policy on workplace conduct, Eungie Joo was separated from SFMOMA on December 17." This move underscores the fine balance institutions maintain between their public educational roles and the intricacies of internal governance, where disciplinary measures are ambiguously yet decisively enforced.
