Spirits in the Material World

Elizabeth Alexander, Michael Assiff, Aubrey Longley-Cook, Brian Downey, Vanessa German, Leah Guadagnoli, Keith Haring, Regina Durante Jestrow, Ben Leone, Yasue Maetake, Sean Mellyn, Jack Pierson, Ugo Rondinone, Kathy Rudin, Mia Wright Ross, Baylee Schmitt

Featuring a dynamic roster of artists, the exhibition investigates how everyday materials such as leather, found objects, textiles, steel, and more, become vehicles for artistic expression.

At the heart of the exhibition is Keith Haring’s tarp painting, originally used as set design for Secret Pastures by the Bill T. Jones/Arnie Zane Company. Haring’s bold, energetic line work on industrial tarp sets the stage for a broader dialogue on how artists re-contextualize materiality in their practice. By juxtaposing contemporary voices with historical works like Haring’s, Spirits in the Material World examines the ongoing evolution of material innovation in art. The incorporation of unconventional materials in art-making illustrates how artists across generations have expanded the boundaries of their mediums, redefining artistic expression and innovation.