London's Design Museum has hit back after environmental action group Extinction Rebellion called on designers to boycott its Beazley Designs of the Year show.
The group refused to allow the museum to include its celebrated graphic design, accusing the museum of trying to "artwash the unacceptable behaviours" of its sponsor, insurance company Beazley.
But the museum defended the show, saying it showcased ways that design can help tackle problems including environmental issues.
"We are surprised that the campaign took the decision to withdraw from the shortlist," the Design Museum told Dezeen.
"The Beazley Designs of the Year exhibition embodies the museum's purpose to make the impact of design visible and highlights the role that design can play in providing solutions to many of the challenges we face today - including challenges to the environment." "No awards on a dead planet"
Beazley Designs of the Year is an annual awards programme recognising the best designs from around the world over the past 12 months. Nominated projects are exhibited at the Design Museum each September, with winners announced by the end of the year.
Extinction Rebellion has used graphic design to campaign against climate change
Projects that seek to tackle environmental or social issues have featured heavily on recent shortlists. Last year's overall winner was Forensic Architecture, a group that uses architectural techniques to investigate human-rights abuses,...