El Anatsui. Lines That Link Humanity (detail), 2008. Discarded aluminum and copper wire, (irregular); 18 x 25 ft. Gift of Barbara and Sam Wells. Courtesy of the North Carolina Museum of Art.
This summer the North Carolina Museum of Art finished a six-month project, dedicating an entire wing to art from Africa. Spanning sixteen centuries, the works on view range from a terracotta sculpture from 600 AD to a new site-specific chalk drawing by Nigerian-born artist Victor Ekpuk. Expanding the gallery space threefold, the average number of works on view grew from 65 to 125, including pieces that have not been exhibited for over a decade. Featured artists include Yinka Shonibare MBE (RA) and El Anatsui, whose 2008 wall sculpture Lines That Link Humanity was reinstalled in the expanded gallery space.
Also this week, designs were unveiled for Theaster Gates’s art installation at Chicago’s 95th Street station, which include a DJ booth and hanging tapestries titled america america, made of stitched-together, decommissioned fire hoses. Slated to open in late 2018, the installation will complement the new $280 million 95th Street bus and rail terminal.
Events & exhibitions
New York City
- A new group exhibition at Hosfelt Gallery entitled Mirror Mirror features work by Josiah McElheny and Carrie Mae Weems. On view through August 12.
- Forum Gallery’s Seeing With Our Own Eyes, on view through August 30, presents 24 paintings, drawings, and sculptures by women artists including Judy Pfaff and Susan Rothenberg.
Pittsburgh
- Saturday, July 22, 1:30-3pm—In conjunction with the opening of the Carnegie Museum of Art’s 20/20 exhibition, artists Abigail DeVille, Jon Kessler and Kori Newkirk will be participating in a conversation on America’s physical and social landscapes. Co-organized and co-curated with the Studio Museum in Harlem, the Carnegie’s new exhibition presents a “metaphoric picture of America today,” and features work by Kerry James Marshall, Ellen Gallagher, Collier Schorr, Kara Walker, Mark Bradford, LaToya Ruby Frazier, and Abigail DeVille. 20/20 will be on view through the end of the year.
Louisville, KY
- The Speed Art Museum’s exhibition Southern Accent: Seeking the American South in Contemporary Art explores what William Faulkner described as the “emotional idea” of the South (rather than a geographical place). Featuring work by Mel Chin, William Cordova, Sally Mann, Kerry James Marshall, Catherine Opie, Kara Walker, and Carrie Mae Weems among others, the exhibition is on view through October 14. [Read a review in The Courier-Journal.]
Aspen, CO
- Friday, July 21, 6pm—Glenn Ligon is giving an artist talk at the Aspen Art Museum.
Malibu, CA
- The Depart Foundation in Malibu Village just opened the group exhibition Sea Sick in Paradise, which includes work by Margaret Kilgallen, Barry McGee, and Mika Tajima. On view through September 30. [Read a review in Malibu Surfside News.]
Los Angeles
- Thursday, July 20, 7-8:30pm—Leonardo Drew will be speaking with the Director of the Baltimore Museum of Art Christopher Bedford at Art + Practice, in conjunction with the exhibition Spiral Play: Loving in the ’80s, featuring the work of abstract artist Al Loving.
Johannesburg
- David Krut Projects is exhibiting the preparatory works for William Kentridge’s large-scale mural in Rome, Triumphs and Laments. Titled The Making of Triumphs and Laments Woodcuts, the exhibition is on view through July 30, and a gallery talk is being held this Saturday, July 22 at 11am.
Hong Kong
- This Friday, Pearl Lam Galleries is opening Acts of Transgression. On view through August 31, the show features work by Yinka Shonibare MBE (RA) among others.
It’s impossible to include all the incredible exhibitions and art events happening this week in a single post. If there’s something you feel should have been included in today’s roundup, leave a comment below!