Upcoming Exhibitions
Learn about exhibitions coming to NMWA soon!
MAR 22–JUL 28 2019
Ursula von Rydingsvard: The Contour of Feeling
Monumental wood sculptures by Ursula von Rydingsvard (b. 1942, Deensen, Germany) evoke the grandeur and power of nature. They simultaneously bear evidence of the artist’s meticulous process of cutting, shaping, and assembling thousands of cedar blocks. The Contour of Feeling focuses on von Rydingsvard’s artistic development since 2000 and her continued commitment to experimentation. The presentation includes many sculptures not previously exhibited in the United States. Made from wood or other organic materials, including leather, silk, and hair, these works present a window into the emotional fragility and imposing scale that define von Rydingsvard’s art. The exhibition is organized by the Fabric Workshop and Museum, Philadelphia, and marks the artist’s first solo exhibition in Washington, D.C.
MAY 03–SEP 15 2019
More is More: Multiples
Multiples—three-dimensional art objects produced in series of identical editions—find their way from the shelves of retail stores into museum collections and the homes of consumers worldwide. This focus exhibition highlights the medium’s sense of whimsy. Textiles, ceramics, clothing, decorative objects and toys by women artists frequently offer tongue-in-cheek social and cultural commentary. A number of works in More is More were created to benefit charitable initiatives within the arts. Eye-catching multiples by Cindy Sherman, Mickalene Thomas, Barbara Kruger, Helen Marten, Jiha Moon and others invite inquiry into the temptation of retail and the allure of fine art.
SEP 19 2019–JAN 20 2020
Judy Chicago—The End: A Meditation on Death and Extinction
Visually striking and emotionally charged, the newest body of work by feminist icon Judy Chicago continues her commitment to challenge the status quo and advocate for change. Nearly 40 works of painted porcelain and glass, as well as two large bronze sculptures, comprise The End: A Meditation on Death and Extinction. Through this series, the artist reflects on her own mortality and appeals for compassion and justice for all earthly creatures affected by human greed. Chicago’s bold, graphic style viscerally communicates the intense emotion she experienced while contemplating her own death as well as the death of entire species. The exhibition is organized by the National Museum of Women in the Arts and made possible by the MaryRoss Taylor Exhibition Fund.
2020 (DATES TBA)
Women to Watch 2020
Women to Watch features emerging and underrepresented women artists that focus on a specific medium or theme chosen by NMWA’s curators. The series is a dynamic collaboration between the museum and participating outreach committees. Each committee works with NMWA staff and curators in the committee regions to select the artists whose work will be featured in the exhibition at the museum. Women to Watch 2020 will be the sixth installment of the series since it began in 2008.
