Artwork by Rashid Johnson found in the residence of a Trump official revealed.
In the world of art and politics, a notable acquisition has caught the attention of many. Howard Lutnick, the United States Commerce Secretary, has recently purchased a piece from Rashid Johnson's "Anxious Red" series.
Johnson's "Anxious Red" series, which began during the onset of the coronavirus pandemic, depicts the simmering dread that defined the 2020 indoors. Works from this series have sold at auction for between $1 million and $2 million. The painting purchased by Lutnick is confirmed to be from this series.
The painting, a red oil stick on a cotton rag, is not a new addition to some of the world's most prestigious art institutions. Institutions such as the Art Institute of Chicago and the Morgan Library own works from Johnson's "Anxious Red" series.
However, the acquisition by Lutnick, a former businessman appointed by President Donald Trump and subject of scrutiny over his AI dealings, has raised some eyebrows. Critics have noted the irony of Lutnick owning an "Anxious Red" piece, given the administration's antagonistic relationship to public health services.
In a separate matter, the CDC has shed nearly one quarter of its workforce since Trump took office, with around 3,000 employees leaving either from terminations or voluntarily. The Trump administration has also proposed a nearly 40 percent cut to the budgets for the CDC and Prevention and the National Institutes of Health in the 2026 presidential budget.
It's important to note that, at present, no publicly documented implications exist that directly link Lutnick’s purchase of this artwork to the US withdrawal from the World Health Organization or the Trump administration’s funding decisions for public health.
Meanwhile, in 2020, works from the "Anxious Red" series were sold in an online charity auction by Hauser & Wirth, with a portion of the proceeds donated to the Covid-19 Solidarity Response Fund for the World Health Organization.
As the withdrawal process from the WHO is taking place over 2025, a year that has already seen an uptick in cases of Covid-19 in the US, the implications of this decision remain to be seen.
In other news, Lutnick has also made headlines for his purchase of a top-shelf tequila bottle. A request for comment from a representative for Lutnick has been sent by our website, and we will update this article if we receive a response.
[1] [4] [5] - Sources mentioning Howard Lutnick in the context of commerce and trade discussions but do not discuss any art purchases or link these to public health policy or the WHO withdrawal. [3] - Information about Rashid Johnson’s artworks and sales, but no mention of an "Anxious Red" painting associated with Lutnick or connections to US public health politics.
- The recent acquisition of a painting from Rashid Johnson's "Anxious Red" series by Howard Lutnick, the United States Commerce Secretary, has sparked debate in the art world and beyond.
- Works from Johnson's "Anxious Red" series, which emerged during the initial phase of the coronavirus pandemic, depict the pervasive feelings of anxiety that characterized indoor life in 2020.
- The painting purchased by Lutnick, a red oil stick on a cotton rag, is part of this series and has sold for between $1 million and $2 million at auction.
- Institutional ownership of works from Johnson's "Anxious Red" series includes the Art Institute of Chicago and the Morgan Library.
- however, Lutnick's purchase of an "Anxious Red" piece has been met with criticism due to the Trump administration's perceived antagonism towards public health services.
- The Trump administration has faced criticism for significant cuts to the CDC budget and workforce, as well as proposed budget cuts to the National Institutes of Health.
- In a separate event in 2020, works from the "Anxious Red" series were auctioned online by Hauser & Wirth, with proceeds donated to the Covid-19 Solidarity Response Fund for the World Health Organization.
- As the withdrawal process from the World Health Organization unfolds over 2025, the impact on public health in the US remains unclear.
