Newly released documents from the Justice Department have shed light on the controversial ties between the now-disgraced financier and convicted sex trafficker Jeffrey Epstein and the San Francisco Museum of Modern Art (SFMOMA). Among approximately three million documents, an email indicates that Epstein donated a piece of software art by John F. Simon Jr. titled “ComplexCity” to SFMOMA in 2001. This donation was made under a fractional ownership arrangement, meaning that both Epstein and the museum shared rights to the artwork.
During this period, Neal Benezra, who was the museum’s director from 2009 until his resignation in 2021, communicated with Epstein, expressing gratitude for his contributions and reinforcing Epstein’s role in enhancing SFMOMA’s collection. The email emphasized the impact of artistic donation on the community and acknowledged Epstein’s pivotal role in maintaining SFMOMA’s status as a leading venue for modern art.
While the exact value of “ComplexCity,” which is described as a software piece that utilizes an Apple PowerBook G3 and acrylic, remains unclear, a similar piece from Simon sold for $3,000 at Christie’s in 2017. The circumstances surrounding Epstein’s involvement with SFMOMA have been the subject of speculation among former museum employees, many of whom had whispered about the artwork’s fractional ownership.
SFMOMA has since confirmed through a spokesperson that “ComplexCity” was removed from the collection in October 2019, shortly after Epstein’s death while in custody. They stated that the transfer of ownership back to the artist did not incur any financial loss for the museum, and that “ComplexCity” was never exhibited on their premises.
Furthermore, newly uncovered emails also reveal Epstein’s connections to prominent figures in the art community, including Israeli designer Neri Oxman, who thanked him for his financial support for her unique series of experimental “death masks.” This collection was indicated to be scheduled for exhibition at both MoMA in New York and SFMOMA in the years to follow.
With these revelations, SFMOMA finds itself reflecting on a complex past and its relationships with controversial figures in the art world. As the museum moves forward, it continues to uphold its commitment to enriching lives through art and fostering a supportive community, even as it navigates the ramifications of its historical connections.