Alfred Leslie, Self-Portrait, 1974. Lithograph,
40-1/4 x 30 inches. Museum Purchase Fund.
August 18, 2010–Summer 2011
The notion of the “self,” the essential quality that makes a person distinct from all others, is a core theme in modern and contemporary art. Its primary formats are the portrait and self-portrait, which focus on the identity and psychology of the model. For the artist, the true self is fluid, not fixed; layered, not clearly evident. The true self is both innate and determined by experience and culture. Never consistent, it is often self-contradictory.
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Douglas Edmunds, Christo – Madison, Wisconsin, 1982. Black and white photograph, 16 x 20 inches. Gift of the artist.
August 28–November 14, 2010
Context, setting, and place define much of our thinking. This is especially true for artists who garner inspiration from the world around them. Focus/Madison examines works in the collection of the Madison Museum of Contemporary Art that feature the city itself. Photographs, prints, and paintings by twelve artists are included in the exhibition and demonstrate a striking range of perspectives. more »
Rob and Christian Clayton, Tim House (In Green Pastures) from the series Tim House, 2001. Mixed media on wood panel with electrical and sound, 129-1/4 x 60-1/4 x 71-1/2 inches. Collection of the Madison Museum of Contemporary Art.
September 12, 2010–January 2, 2011
The Madison Museum of Contemporary Art will present the first major museum exhibition dedicated to the bold, colorful drawings, paintings, and sculptures of Rob and Christian Clayton. The Clayton Brothers work together to construct objects that are both narrative and deeply personal. Front and center are the unique people, animals, and places that occupy the outskirts of the American psyche. These works are created in an obsessively rich manner and often incorporate related audio elements. more »