Super Punk World NFTs face backlash over focus on race and gender

Yuga Labs, the company behind the iconic CryptoPunks NFT collection, recently announced a new project called Super Punk World. The collection, created by artist Nina Chanel Abney, aimed to reimagine CryptoPunks through a lens focused on race and gender. Abney, who was named the first selection of the Punk in Residence program, selected 500 avatars from more than 10,000 releases, incorporating her bold style and perspective.

TLDR

• Yuga Labs on Monday unveiled Nina Chanel Abney’s Super Punks World NFT collection, which reimagines CryptoPunks with a focus on race and gender.
• The collection faced immediate backlash from collectors and crypto observers, with some claiming the artwork was “woke” and others personally attacking the artist.
• Yuga Labs CEO Greg Solano announced that the company will no longer touch CryptoPunks and that the NFTs will be distributed to Super Cool World NFT holders.
• Abney confirmed Solano’s statement and denounced the hateful attacks she received on social media following the project’s revelation.
• Despite the controversy, CryptoPunks have recently seen record sales, with an Alien Punk selling for $12.38 million on Ethereum.

However, Super Punk World’s reveal on Monday sparked immediate backlash from collectors and crypto observers.

Some criticized the art style itself or the concept of reimagining an iconic project, while others accused the collection of being “woke” due to its focus on race and gender.

The project has also received negative attention for potentially diluting the original Punks collection, which is considered a valuable and “top-notch” Ethereum NFT set.

In response to the backlash, Yuga Labs CEO Greg Solano announced that the company would no longer touch CryptoPunks.

The NFTs, originally planned to be auctioned, will now be distributed to Super Cool World NFT holders, potentially via a random airdrop.

Solano also said Yuga Labs will help museums and institutions acquire CryptoPunks and educate their audiences about the collection.

Nina Chanel Abney confirmed Solano’s statement and thanked Yuga Labs for supporting her art.

However, she also spoke out against the hateful attacks she received on social media following the project’s revelation, including racist, sexist, homophobic and transphobic comments.

Abney emphasized its mission to create an inclusive community where everyone is accepted and ideas that spark productive dialogue are welcome.

Despite the controversy surrounding Super Punk World, CryptoPunks have seen record sales recently. In April, an ultra-rare Alien Punk sold for $12.38 worth millions of Ethereum, making it one of the biggest NFT sales ever. This sale came just weeks after another CryptoPunk sold for nearly $8 million, demonstrating the enduring value and interest in the collection.

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