Paul McCarthy in Defending Ethical Integrity: the new Degenerate Art
10 January—21 February 2026
Group exhibition at Torrence Art Museum, Torrance, CA, USA
As political forces tighten their grip on cultural institutions, Defending Ethical Integrity: the New Degenerate Art stands as both a rebellion and a celebration of fearless self-expression. This exhibition confronts authoritarian narratives, censorship, and the suppression of creative autonomy.
Evoking the legacy of the Nazi Party’s 1937 Degenerate Art exhibition—used to vilify and silence artists—this show reclaims the term as a symbol of resistance. Featuring a diverse group of contemporary artists, Defending Ethical Integrity challenges power structures, disrupts social taboos, and amplifies voices that refuse to conform.
Participating artists: AMBOS Project, Polly Borland, Cassils, Robert Andy Coombs, Hugo Crosthwaite, Jay Lynn Gomez, Ken Gonzales-Day, Forrest Kirk, Keith Kurlander, Laurie Lipton, Elana Mann, Narsiso Martinez, Patrick Martinez, Paul McCarthy, Dakota Noot, Zak Smith, Nadya Tolokonnikova / Pussy Riot, Steven Wolkoff