Anna Schwartz says Mike Parr’s use of ‘Israel’ and ‘Nazi’ in performance work led her to sever ties

Melbourne gallery owner says the two words together made her sick, ‘whatever the intention’ of the artist

Gallery owner Anna Schwartz has defended her decision to severe ties with performance artist Mike Parr after a 36-year relationship, saying the juxtaposition of the words “Israel” and “Nazi” in his work on display in her gallery were “a deal breaker”.

Speaking on ABC’s Radio National on Monday, the Melbourne gallerist described elements of Parr’s exhibition at the Anna Schwartz Gallery, which included a performance piece called Going Home that took place on 2 December, as “hate graffiti”. Schwartz emailed the artist the following day to say she would no longer represent him.