Super Punk World NFTs face backlash due to 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 inaugural selection of the Punk in Residence program, hand-selected 500 avatars from more than 10,000 productions, embodying her bold style and perspective.

TLDR

• Yuga Labs unveiled 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 watchers, 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 NFTs will be distributed to Super Cool World NFT holders.
• Abney confirmed Solano’s statement and expressed regret for the hateful attacks he received on social media as a result of the project’s reveal.
• Despite the controversy, CryptoPunks recently recorded record sales, with an Alien Punk selling for $12.38 million worth of Ethereum.

However, Super Punk World’s reveal on Monday was met with immediate backlash from collectors and crypto watchers.

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

The project has 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.

The NFTs, initially planned to be auctioned, will now be distributed to Super Cool World NFT holders, potentially via a random 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 confirmed Solano’s statement and thanked Yuga Labs for supporting her art.

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

Abney emphasized his mission to create an inclusive community where everyone is accepted and ideas that encourage productive dialogue are welcomed.

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

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