Texas University Cancels Exhibition Critical of ICE

Victor 'Marka27' Quiñonez's work speaks to the immigrant experience.

Published on Feb. 13, 2026

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The University of North Texas (UNT) in Denton, Texas, quietly removed a solo show of work by Brooklyn artist Victor 'Marka27' Quiñonez that was critical of Immigration Customs and Enforcement (ICE). The exhibition, titled 'Ni de Aquí, Ni de Allá (Not From Here, Not From There),' was scheduled to open on February 3 but was abruptly canceled after installation was complete. UNT has not provided any reason for the cancellation.

Why it matters

This incident raises concerns about censorship and the suppression of artistic expression that is critical of government agencies like ICE. The exhibition celebrated immigrant communities from Latin America and was meant to create empathy and awareness around the challenges faced by vulnerable immigrant populations in the U.S.

The details

The exhibition, curated by Kate Fowle, former head of New York's MoMA PS1 and the Garage Museum of Contemporary Art in Moscow, originated at the Boston University College of Fine Arts (BU) and was scheduled for a three-month run at UNT. The artist, Victor 'Marka27' Quiñonez, is a Brooklyn-based artist who was born in Mexico and raised in Dallas. His work, including the 'I.C.E. Scream' series featured in the exhibition, is highly critical of ICE and its treatment of immigrants.

  • On January 12, Quiñonez visited UNT to do some necessary on-site painting ahead of the show.
  • On January 26, photos showed the installation was nearly complete, a day before the expected opening.
  • On February 3, the show was scheduled to open but was inexplicably closed to the public with the gallery windows papered over.
  • On February 11, UNT sent an email stating that 'the university has terminated the art loan agreement with Boston University Art Galleries' for the exhibition.

The players

Victor 'Marka27' Quiñonez

A Brooklyn-based artist who was born in Mexico and raised in Dallas. His work, including the 'I.C.E. Scream' series featured in the exhibition, is highly critical of ICE and its treatment of immigrants.

Kate Fowle

The former head of New York's MoMA PS1 and the Garage Museum of Contemporary Art in Moscow, who curated the 'Ni de Aquí, Ni de Allá (Not From Here, Not From There)' exhibition.

Stefanie Dlugosz-Acton

The director and curator of the College of Visual Arts and Design Galleries (CVAD) at the University of North Texas (UNT).

Boston University College of Fine Arts (BU)

The institution that originally hosted the 'Ni de Aquí, Ni de Allá (Not From Here, Not From There)' exhibition and arranged for it to travel to Texas.

University of North Texas (UNT)

The university in Denton, Texas, that abruptly canceled the 'Ni de Aquí, Ni de Allá (Not From Here, Not From There)' exhibition after installation was complete.

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What they’re saying

“But really the exhibition was celebrating and showing love for both places. It was not only focused on ICE by any means. It was focused on the communities that make this country beautiful, and all the different things that immigrants bring to this country.”

— Victor 'Marka27' Quiñonez

“Stefanie was excited and extremely supportive of the exhibition. She made it clear that 30 percent of the student body at UNT is Hispanic Latinx.”

— Victor 'Marka27' Quiñonez

“I was pretty much ghosted by UNT.”

— Victor 'Marka27' Quiñonez

“What's most important about this exhibition being seen is the people that it represents: a global community that is under attack right now. It shows our humanity. It creates empathy and awareness. And it shines light on a very ugly truth of what's happening to vulnerable communities that are just trying to survive in this country.”

— Victor 'Marka27' Quiñonez

What’s next

Quiñonez is hopeful that Boston University will be able to find an alternate venue in Texas to present the 'Ni de Aquí, Ni de Allá (Not From Here, Not From There)' exhibition, in order to ensure the work is seen and its message is not suppressed.

The takeaway

This incident at the University of North Texas highlights the ongoing challenges artists face in expressing critical views of government agencies and policies, especially when those views touch on sensitive political issues. It underscores the importance of protecting artistic freedom of expression, even when the content may be controversial or challenge the status quo.