Object Lessons: travelling exhibition visits the Speed Art Museum

Object Lessons: travelling exhibition visits the Speed Art Museum

From September 29, 2023, to January 7, 2024, the Speed Art Museum, Louisville, hosts “Object Lessons in American Art, drawn from the Princeton University Art Museum’s collections.

Source: Princeton University Art Museum · Image: Mary Cassatt, “Little Girl in a Large Red Hat” (detail), ca. 1881

American art made across four centuries will be the subject of a far-reaching new traveling exhibition organized by the Princeton University Art Museum. Object Lessons in American Art, drawn entirely from the Museum’s venerable collections, presents more than one hundred works of Euro-American, African American, and Native American art, created between the eighteenth century and today, to ask fundamental questions about artistic significance and how meaning changes across time, place, and context.

The exhibition, curated by Karl Kusserow, the Art Museum’s John Wilmerding Curator of American Art, focuses in particular on race, gender, and the environment and will display approximately one hundred artworks in thirty discrete groups, each intended to provoke new considerations and raise timely questions about American history and culture. These juxtapositions serve as “object lessons”—gatherings of tangible artifacts that communicate an embodied idea or an abstract concept—to anchor debates about the country’s complex social, racial, and political history, thereby expanding our ideas about American art history.

’Object Lessons in American Art’ builds on centuries of collecting at Princeton that continues robustly today to re-examine objects both beloved and little known and, in doing so, affords opportunities to interrogate the American past and present in profoundly relevant ways,” notes James Steward, Nancy A. Nasher–David J. Haemisegger, Class of 1976, Director. “It invites the exhibition visitor into an active role in their own meaning-making.”

The exhibition emphasizes how a broad array of artists contended with, sometimes by obscuring, the most pressing issues of their—and our own—time. Included in the exhibition are works by the enslaved potter David Drake, whose craft was a bold statement of resistance, and the artist Frederic Remington, who represented the “Wild West” in ways that stereotyped both white settlers and Native Americans, alongside recent works by contemporary artists such as Rande Cook, Renee Cox, and Titus Kaphar. One section will feature three iconic portraits of George Washington, including one by Rembrandt Peale that lionizes the first American president as a godlike celebrity together with a photograph by Luke C. Dillon of the ruins of the slave quarters at Washington’s home, Mount Vernon, to remind us of the complexities of the man and his legacy.

Dutch Artist Willem Vos to Exhibit in China with a Message “Art is Freedom”

Willem Vos

Renowned Dutch artist Willem Vos is set to embark on a cultural odyssey to China as he joins forces with the Hong Art Museum in Chongqing and Pashmin Art Consortia from Germany to present their highly anticipated exhibition for the 2023-2024 season, “Transcendence: A Fusion of Art and Culture.” This immersive showcase of contemporary artistic expressions promises to transport visitors into a vibrant tapestry of European cultural heritage, brought to life in the heart of Chongqing, China.

Willem Vos, an entrepreneurial artist known for his bold and impactful creations, has become a beacon of inspiration for those seeking to chart a new course in life. After bidding adieu to his international business pursuits, Vos dedicated himself entirely to the creation and promotion of his distinctive artworks. Over the past three years, his pieces have garnered worldwide acclaim, marking an inspiring journey of personal and artistic transformation.

‘True Colors – Woman 1’ by Willem Vos
Just like the moon I go through phases
Size 140 x 100 cm

Vos’s artworks are characterized by their profound power, imposing scale, vibrant colors, boundless energy, and profound significance. Guided by the motto “Art is Freedom. I make art,” Vos’s creations serve as a testament to the influence of life’s myriad experiences on his artistic evolution. His canvas becomes a reflection of both the highs and lows, from the depths of despair to the heights of love and connection, making his work deeply relatable and evocative.

The exhibition “Transcendence: A Fusion of Art and Culture” at the Hong Art Museum offers an exceptional opportunity for art enthusiasts and the curious to immerse themselves in the world of Willem Vos. This momentous occasion marks a significant step in his artistic career, transitioning from galleries, exhibitions, and art fairs to the prestigious Hong Art Museum in Chongqing, China.

‘The Window’ by Willem Vos
‘in a world where everyone wears a mask, it’s a privilege to see a soul’
160 cm x 120 cm

In collaboration with Hong Art Museum and Pashmin Art Consortia, Willem Vos is poised to introduce his evocative artworks to the Chinese audience, where they will be showcased in a setting that reflects the merging of art and culture on a grand scale. His works resonate with the universal themes of human emotion, connection, and the human experience, making them a captivating addition to the exhibition’s narrative.

Visitors to “Transcendence: A Fusion of Art and Culture” will have the opportunity to witness a seamless blend of contemporary artistic expressions, vividly reflecting Europe’s vibrant cultural heritage as experienced in Chongqing. This exhibition transcends geographical boundaries, bridging the gap between diverse cultures and fostering a deeper understanding of art’s capacity to unite people.

‘Trust the Chance’ by Willem Vos
‘good will come your way, be patient’
Size 120 cm x 140 cm

Willem Vos welcomes art enthusiasts and the curious alike to join him at the VIP opening of “Transcendence: A Fusion of Art and Culture” on November 28th at 3:00 PM. His presence at the event will provide a unique opportunity to engage with the artist, gain insights into his creative process, and share in the celebration of art’s power to transcend boundaries.

In addition to his artistic contributions, Willem Vos serves as an inspiring testament to the transformative potential of following one’s passion and embracing the path less traveled. His journey from the world of international business to the realm of art has resonated with many, making him a symbol of courage and determination.

“Transcendence: A Fusion of Art and Culture” is poised to be a cultural landmark in Chongqing’s vibrant art scene, offering a captivating and thought-provoking experience for visitors of all backgrounds. Don’t miss the opportunity to explore the convergence of art and culture through the visionary works of Willem Vos and other talented artists.


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Willem Vos in his art studio

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‘Art is Freedom. I Make Art.’ Exclusive Interview with Willem Vos | Part 1


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