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 that focused on race and gender. Abney, who was named the inaugural selection for the Punk in Residence program, hand-selected 500 avatars from over 10,000 outputs, incorporating her bold style and perspective.

TLDR

• Yuga Labs revealed Nina Chanel Abney’s Super Punks World NFT collection on Monday, 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 the NFTs will be distributed to Super Cool World NFT holders.
• Abney affirmed Solano’s statement and decried the hateful attacks she received on social media as a result of the project reveal.
• Despite the controversy, CryptoPunks have recently seen record-breaking sales, with one Alien Punk selling for $12.38 million in Ethereum.

However, the reveal of Super Punk World on Monday was met with 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 emphasis on race and gender.

me: can i have a CryptoPunk?
mom: we have CryptoPunks at home

CryptoPunks at home… pic.twitter.com/403DhmBTig

— Mando (@rektmando) May 20, 2024

The project also received negative attention for potentially diluting the original Punks collection, which is considered a valuable, “blue chip” Ethereum NFT set.

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

gm,

wanted to share an update on punks: when we acquired the collection a couple years ago, we did so with the intention of preserving the legacy of the collection.

we see punks as the early cave paintings of this new medium, and we were heavily influenced by them when creating…

— Garga.eth (Greg Solano) ???? (@CryptoGarga) May 20, 2024

The NFTs, initially planned to be auctioned, will now be distributed to Super Cool World NFT holders, potentially through a randomized airdrop.

Solano also stated that Yuga Labs would support museums and institutions in acquiring CryptoPunks and educating their audiences about the collection.

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

However, she also decried the hateful attacks she received on social media as a result of the project reveal, including racist, sexist, homophobic, and transphobic comments.

Abney emphasized her mission toward creating an inclusive community where everyone is accepted and ideas that spark productive dialogue are welcomed.

Despite the controversy surrounding Super Punk World, CryptoPunks have recently seen record-breaking sales. In April, an ultra-rare Alien Punk sold for $12.38 million worth 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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