Roy Lichtenstein (1923–1997). "Mythological Meeting", 1979. Oil on canvas. 43 x 58 in. Gift of Dorothy Lichtenstein to honor the Staff of the Montclair Art Museum, 2007.5. © Estate of Roy Lichtenstein
(MONTCLAIR, NJ) -- The Montclair Art Museum (MAM) is proud to announce A to Sze: Collecting at MAM (2000-2025), an exhibition showcasing some of the museum's significant acquisitions over the past quarter-century. The exhibit opened on February 8th and runs through July 6, 2025. The exhibition reflects MAM's mission to represent the rich diversity of American culture, both past and present.
Featuring a diverse array of historic, modern, and contemporary works spanning from 1880 to 2024, A to Sze encompasses a wide range of themes, styles, art movements, and mediums. The exhibition's title playfully references two featured contemporary artists: Derrick Adams and Sarah Sze. Adams' mixed media collage, There's More Than One Beauty School (2018), and Sze's large-scale installation, Random Walk Drawing (Air) (2011), are among the museum's most recent and ambitious acquisitions. These works are presented for the first time alongside 23 other pieces, many of which have rarely or never been displayed before.
"The works on view in A to Sze include rarely or never-before-seen nineteenth and twentieth-century abstract and representational landscapes by Edward M. Bannister, Lois Dodd, the Afro-Indigenous artist Richard Mayhew, Kay WalkingStick (Cherokee), and Andrew Wyeth. Manierre Dawson's Thirteen (1913) exemplifies the contributions of this little-known pioneer of abstract, non-objective modern art. Varied simplified approaches to human or supernatural figures can be seen in the work of Will Barnet, Rafael Ferrer, Helen Hardin (Santa Clara Pueblo), Virgil Ortiz (Cochiti Pueblo), and Bob Thompson," said Gail Stavitsky, Chief Curator at MAM.
Rafael Ferrer (b. 1933) Notes, 1998–99; Oil on canvas 38; 1⁄4 x 25 5/8 in.; Framed; Museum purchase; Acquisition Fund, 2001.3
Themes of spirituality, history, global cultures, artistic agency, and social justice resonate throughout the exhibition. Acquired through purchases and generous donations since 2000, these works highlight MAM's commitment to strategic additions by both established and emerging American and Indigenous artists, with an emphasis on members of under-represented communities.
Featured artists include Derrick Adams, Edward M. Bannister, Will Barnet, Dale Chihuly, Stuart Davis, Manierre Dawson, Lois Dodd, Rafael Ferrer, Adebunmi Gbadebo, Charles Goeller, Helen Hardin (Santa Clara Pueblo), Alfred Jensen, Bill Jensen, Jasper Johns, Caroline Kent, Blanche Lazzell, Roy Lichtenstein, Richard Mayhew, George L.K. Morris, Virgil Ortiz (Cochiti Pueblo), David Smith, Bob Thompson, Sarah Sze, Kay WalkingStick (Cherokee), and Andrew Wyeth.
A to Sze: Collecting at MAM (2000-2025) is curated by Gail Stavitsky, Ph.D., Chief Curator at the Montclair Art Museum.
This exhibition is made possible with generous support from the Lyn and Glenn Reiter Endowed Special Exhibition Fund, Christine James and Nick De Toustain, Wendy and Andrew Lacey, Ann and Mel Schaffer, Toni LeQuire-Schott and Newton B. Schott Jr.*, and Margo and Frank Walter. All MAM programs are supported in part by funds from the New Jersey State Council on the Arts, a partner agency of the National Endowment for the Arts, and museum members.
All MAM programs are made possible in part by funds from the New Jersey State Council on the Arts, a partner agency of the National Endowment of the Arts, and Museum members.
The Montclair Art Museum is located at 3 S. Mountain Avenue in Montclair, New Jersey. Gallery Hours: Friday, 10:00am—6:00pm / Saturday, 10:00am—6:00pm / Sunday, 11:00am—5:00pm.
Founded in 1914, the Montclair Art Museum (MAM) is one of the nation's leading art institutions, known for its dedication to American and Native American art. MAM serves as a cultural hub for the community, offering exhibitions, educational programs, and a commitment to showcasing diverse artistic voices.
Helen Hardin [Tsasah-wee-eh] (Santa Clara Pueblo, 1943–1984) Hopi Illusion, 1980; Color etching and aquatint on paper; Sheet: 33 3/4 x 27 1⁄2 in. Ed. 19/60 Museum purchase; Acquisition Fund 2000.29
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