Art Crime Scholar & Professor at John Jay College; Author of "Possession" & "Smashing Statues"; Expert in Art Law
Erin L. Thompson Biography
Erin L. Thompson is a professor of art crime at John Jay College of Criminal Justice, recognized for her work in art law, cultural heritage protection, and the study of looted antiquities. Thompson holds a law degree and a doctorate in art history from Columbia University, as well as a certificate in global business law from a joint program with Columbia Law, Institut d'Études Politiques, and Paris I (Sorbonne). She earned a Bachelor of Arts in art history and philosophy from Barnard College.
Thompson is the author of "Possession," which examines the history of private collecting of Greek and Roman antiquities, and "Smashing Statues: The Rise and Fall of America's Public Monuments," which explores the history and controversies surrounding public monuments in the United States. Her writing has appeared in Art in America, Hyperallergic, New York Times, and Smithsonian Magazine.
Thompson co-curated the exhibition "Ode to the Sea: Art from Guantánamo" at the President's Gallery, John Jay College, featuring artwork by detainees at Guantánamo Bay Detention Camp. Following the exhibition, the Pentagon restricted the removal of artwork from Guantánamo. Thompson has discussed her work on The Opposition with Jordan Klepper and testified as an expert witness in the 5Pointz graffiti art case.
Her expertise includes the deliberate destruction of art, the impact of such acts on communities, and the looting and smuggling of cultural property. Thompson has delivered a TEDx talk on "Terrorists and Archeologists: How the Past Belongs to the Present." She has contributed to The New York Times, Paris Review, Hyperallergic, and Smithsonian Magazine, and has spoken at universities and on media outlets including CNN, NPR, BBC, TEDx conferences, and the Freakonomics podcast. Thompson serves on the Advisory Committee for the Nepal Heritage Recovery Campaign and is a Fellow of the Society of Antiquaries of London.
Thompson has held fellowships at the Rice University Humanities Research Center and the New York Council for the Humanities. She is active on the social media platform X, where she comments on repatriation and restitution issues. Thompson's work addresses legal, historical, and ethical questions related to cultural heritage, art crime, and the protection of cultural property.
Erin L. Thompson Videos
"Smashing Statues: The Rise and Fall of America's Public Monuments"
An urgent and fractious national debate over public monuments has erupted in America. Why do we care so much about statues? Which ones should stay up...
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Erin L. Thompson is a keynote speaker and industry expert who speaks on a wide range of topics. The estimated speaking fee range to book Erin L. Thompson for your event is available upon request. Erin L. Thompson generally travels from New York, NY, USA and can be booked for (private) corporate events, personal appearances, keynote speeches, or other performances. Similar motivational celebrity speakers are Emma Dench, Michael Easter, Michael C. Hawkins, PhD, Ellie Abdi and Jeffrey Rosen. Contact All American Speakers for ratings, reviews, videos and information on scheduling Erin L. Thompson for an upcoming live or virtual event.
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