MSU Broad Art Museum presents “Samia Halaby: Eye Witness”

From June 28 to December 15, 2024, the MSU Broad Art Museum presents the exhibition “Samia Halaby: Eye Witness”

Source: MSU Broad Art Museum · Image: Left: Samia Halaby, “Six Golden Heroes”, 2022. Collection of the artist, New York. Courtesy the artist. Right: Samia Halaby, “The City (Al Quds)”, 1959. Private collection, North Carolina. Courtesy the artist.

The exhibition is Halaby’s first return to MSU since her graduation over sixty years ago. “Eye Witness” follows Halaby’s creative journey to invent an abstract visual language that conveys her experiences and reflects how she sees the world around her. From 1959 to 1960, Halaby attended MSU and earned her MA. It was at MSU that she began painting in earnest. Halaby’s paintings, which range from miniature to monumental, 2D to 3D, and monochrome to multicolor, were notably shaped by the experiences she had in each place, and shift throughout her itinerant career across the Midwest, the East coast, and the Arab world. Eye Witness brings some of the paintings Halaby made during her time at MSU back to Michigan for the first time, returning the work of one of the most important and prolific painters of a generation, and an esteemed MSU alumna, to the institution where her artistic career began.

“This exhibition is a joyful homecoming for the inimitable Samia Halaby, one which is long overdue,” commented Rachel Winter, Assistant Curator at the MSU Broad Art Museum. “It is an honor to bring the artist and her work back to the place where her painterly journey began: MSU. I hope people will celebrate Halaby and this special moment with us, but also cherish what a unique and rare opportunity it is to see her work.”

“These landmark exhibitions will not only bring back into the spotlight the significant Midwestern roots of the esteemed, internationally regarded artist, Samia Halaby—it is also an important opportunity for the two museums to work together in partnership,” noted Interim Director Steven L. Bridges of the MSU Broad Art Museum. “These retrospectives intersect to share each institution’s unique relationship to this artist and point to the ways university art museums continue to lead the field as sites of critical engagement.”

The accompanying catalogue, Samia Halaby: Centers of Energy, co-published by Hirmer Verlag, spans the works included in the companion exhibitions and Halaby’s creative periods in the Midwest.

BY ALBERT CHEN

A rare handwritten questionnaire filled out by Taylor Swift for MIZZ Magazine in 2009 has been sold at Bonhams auction in London for £14,200 ($18,000). This is a significant leap from its initial estimate of £2,000 ($2,500) to £3,000 ($3,700), highlighting the enduring popularity and cultural impact of the global pop superstar.

My biggest secret is…“Who the song ‘Love Story’ is about. I’ll never tell!”

The story behind the questionnaire dates back to August 2009, when a features writer from MIZZ Magazine had the opportunity to meet Swift and her mother in a London hotel. Swift was in the city for a promotional tour, and the meeting provided an exclusive glimpse into the early days of her skyrocketing career.

During this meeting, the writer asked Swift to autograph her personal copy of MIZZ Magazine, which featured Swift on the cover. Additionally, Swift was asked to fill out a playful questionnaire for a future issue of the magazine. This document, now a cherished piece of pop culture memorabilia, offers a fascinating insight into the mind of the then-budding star.

One interesting detail from the questionnaire is the visible input of Swift’s mother, who reviewed the questions before the meeting. A question regarding “Who would Taylor rather kiss” was crossed out in black ink by her mother, showing the protective nature of Swift’s early career management. The handwritten answers reveal a young artist on the brink of stardom, filled with enthusiasm and dreams.

I can’t live without… “My guitar.”

My proudest moment was… “When every show on my first headlining tour SOLD OUT this year and being on the cover of Rolling Stone.”

If I could be someone else for a day I’d be… “Rachel McAdams or Miranda Kerr. I wonder what it’s LIKE to be that pretty.”

My fans are… “The most beautiful, dedicated, creative hilarious, sign-making, dress-wearing, wonderful people. I adore them.”

The responses highlight Swift’s early appreciation for her fans, her admiration for beauty, and her dedication to her music. The candidness of her answers, combined with her mother’s protective oversight, paints a picture of a young artist both grounded and starry-eyed.

The auction result is a testament to Swift’s enduring legacy and the deep connection she has with her fans. Memorabilia related to her, especially items that offer personal insights, are highly sought after. The significant overestimation of the final sale price compared to the initial estimate underscores the immense value placed on items connected to Swift.

Swift, who has since become one of the best-selling music artists of all time, continues to captivate audiences worldwide. This early piece of memorabilia serves as a nostalgic reminder of her journey from a rising country singer to a global pop icon.

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