Experience & Expression

January 30 – October 3, 2021

Updated Jan 29, 2021

To create the art of our time, artists often draw on their own experiences of the world—from the personal to the political, from the aesthetic to the commercial, from the individual to the collective, from the spiritual to the material.

While the Detroit Institute of Arts presents Detroit Style: Car Design in the Motor City, 1950–2020 in the contemporary art galleries, please enjoy this small selection of works acquired over the past decade as generous gifts or by purchase. This installation has been divided into three sections, which explore the use of abstraction and figuration; the experimentation with traditional and novel materials; and the definition of self and others. All of these works invite you to look closely, to ask questions, and to connect with your experiences.

"River Crossing," 2011, Rashid Johnson, American; mirrored tile, black soap, wax. Detroit Institute of Arts.

To create the art of our time, artists often draw on their own experiences of the world—from the personal to the political, from the aesthetic to the commercial, from the individual to the collective, from the spiritual to the material.

While the Detroit Institute of Arts presents Detroit Style: Car Design in the Motor City, 1950–2020 in the contemporary art galleries, please enjoy this small selection of works acquired over the past decade as generous gifts or by purchase. This installation has been divided into three sections, which explore the use of abstraction and figuration; the experimentation with traditional and novel materials; and the definition of self and others. All of these works invite you to look closely, to ask questions, and to connect with your experiences.

Images

Ebony G. Patterson (Jamaican, born 1981). …bearing witness… , 2017. Archival dyes on jacquard, with embroidery, hand-knotted threads; 52 × 69 in. (132.1 × 175.3 cm). Museum purchase, Bequest of W. Hawkins Ferry by exchange, 2018.7.

Ebony G. Patterson (Jamaican, born 1981). …bearing witness… , 2017. Archival dyes on jacquard, with embroidery, hand-knotted threads; 52 × 69 in. (132.1 × 175.3 cm). Museum purchase, Bequest of W. Hawkins Ferry by exchange, 2018.7.

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Wadsworth Jarrell (American, born 1929). Woman Supreme , 1974. Acrylic and metal foil on canvas; 45 1/2 × 29 1/2 in. (115.6 × 74.9 cm). Museum purchase, Contemporary Deaccession Fund, 2017.3.

Wadsworth Jarrell (American, born 1929). Woman Supreme , 1974. Acrylic and metal foil on canvas; 45 1/2 × 29 1/2 in. (115.6 × 74.9 cm). Museum purchase, Contemporary Deaccession Fund, 2017.3.

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David Hammons, (American, born 1943). Bird , 1990. Painted metal, wire, basketball, and feathers; 73 × 23 × 14 in. (185.4 × 58.4 × 35.6 cm). Museum purchase, W. Hawkins Ferry Fund and Ernest and Rosemarie Kanzler Foundation Fund, 2016.76.

David Hammons, (American, born 1943). Bird , 1990. Painted metal, wire, basketball, and feathers; 73 × 23 × 14 in. (185.4 × 58.4 × 35.6 cm). Museum purchase, W. Hawkins Ferry Fund and Ernest and Rosemarie Kanzler Foundation Fund, 2016.76.

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Felrath Hines (American, 1913–93). Alarm, 1985. Oil on linen; 52 × 64 in. (132.1 × 162.6 cm). Gift of the artist's wife, 2009.47.

Felrath Hines (American, 1913–93). Alarm, 1985. Oil on linen; 52 × 64 in. (132.1 × 162.6 cm). Gift of the artist's wife, 2009.47.

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Allie McGhee (American, born 1941). Pathway , 2006. Mixed media on wood; 48 × 36 in. (121.9 × 91.4 cm). Gift of Nettie Seabrooks, 2009.25.

Allie McGhee (American, born 1941). Pathway , 2006. Mixed media on wood; 48 × 36 in. (121.9 × 91.4 cm). Gift of Nettie Seabrooks, 2009.25.

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Robert Reed (American, 1938–2014). Plum Nellie , 1972. Acrylic on canvas; 84 × 96 inches (213.4 × 243.8 cm). Gift of the Collection of Drs. William and Marlene Chavis, 2008.407. © Robert Reed Estate

Robert Reed (American, 1938–2014). Plum Nellie , 1972. Acrylic on canvas; 84 × 96 inches (213.4 × 243.8 cm). Gift of the Collection of Drs. William and Marlene Chavis, 2008.407. © Robert Reed Estate

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Jennifer Bartlett (American, born 1941). Repousse , 1973. Enamel on steel; each 12 × 12 in. (30.5 × 30.5 cm). Gift of James Pearson Duffy, 2007.224.

Jennifer Bartlett (American, born 1941). Repousse , 1973. Enamel on steel; each 12 × 12 in. (30.5 × 30.5 cm). Gift of James Pearson Duffy, 2007.224.

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"River Crossing," 2011, Rashid Johnson, American; mirrored tile, black soap, wax. Detroit Institute of Arts.

"River Crossing," 2011, Rashid Johnson, American; mirrored tile, black soap, wax. Detroit Institute of Arts.

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