Over the past few years, the museum has steadily worked its way through its permanent collection wing, finding creative ways to highlight fresh perspectives and new works. The last two galleries to get a new look were the Byrnece Purcell Knox Swanson Gallery and the Barbara and Sanford Orkin Gallery, which feature modern art and are now open again.
Kathryn Hill, the museum’s associate curator of modern and contemporary art, said, “We’re keeping some favorites, but we are adding a lot of exciting things that haven’t been on view in a long time.” Alice Neel’s portrait of former museum director Bill Paul is among the latter group. Elaine de Kooning’s popular “Bacchus [BAHK-us] number eighty one” is now joined by a rotating cast of studies the artist made in watercolor on paper while preparing for the painting.
Works by self-taught artists including Howard Finster and Nellie Mae Rowe now share the space with works by traditionally trained artists. Hill organized the galleries around themes including dance and music, the body and op art. A new area for photography features space to swap out works from the collection regularly, and new seating provides the opportunity to relax, draw or contemplate. The result is a refreshed look at twentieth century art that creates new conversations between artworks and visitors.
