Should We Separate the Art from the Artist?

Should We Separate the Art from the Artist?

From Open to Debate by Open to Debate

April 30, 2026 · 53 min

About this episode

The episode explores the ethical dilemma of whether we should separate the art from the artist, featuring a debate between Randy Cohen and Aruna D'Souza, moderated by John Donvan.

It turns out your favorite artist is a monster. Say they committed murder, advocated genocide, or engaged in some other act so outside the scope of a dignified, respectable society that it cannot be redeemed. What now? Must you throw the art out with the artists? It's a question at the heart of both pop culture and high art critique. For some, a work of art is an entity in itself. It should be appreciated and revered without regard to the life of its creator. If we disregard all great art for the sins of the artists, we risk losing many of the world's greatest cultural touchstones and masterpieces. But for others, the act of supporting a work of art translates directly affirming its creator's evil acts. In this timeless debate, we ask: Should we separate the art from the artist? This ethical conundrum is at the crux of this week's debate, originally broadcast in September 2022. ARGUING YES: Randy Cohen, Writer & Humorist ARGUING NO: Aruna D'Souza, Writer & Art Critic Emmy award-winning journalist John Donvan moderates Join the conversation on Substack—share your perspective on this episode and subscribe to our weekly newsletter for curated insights from our debaters, moderators…

People in this episode

Host: John Donvan

Guests: Randy Cohen, Aruna D'Souza

Topics covered

  • art
  • ethics
  • culture
  • debate
  • artist
  • society

Keywords

  • art
  • artist
  • ethics
  • debate
  • culture
  • Randy Cohen
  • Aruna D'Souza
  • John Donvan

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