Skip to main content
Hours of operation Today 10 AM - 5 PM.

Building The Contemporary Collection: Five Years Of Acquisitions

From the Collection

March 10 – August 14, 2011
A visitor pauses to look at a work by Lynette Yiadom-Boakye, Tambourine. Photo by J Caldwell.

In its first five years, the Nasher Museum focused on collecting modern and contemporary art with particular emphasis on global, emerging artists of color. Building the Contemporary Collection, in celebration of the museum’s fifth anniversary, presented the most important contemporary works acquired since its founding in 2005. The exhibition featured work by 42 artists, including Christian Boltanski, William Cordova, Noah Davis, Rineke Dijkstra, Marlene Dumas, Wyatt Gallery, David Hammons, Barkley L. Hendricks, Glenn Ligon, Christian Marclay, Zwelethu Mthethwa, Odili Donald Odita, Dan Perjovschi, Dario Robleto, David Salle, Carolee Schneemann, Gary Simmons, Xaviera Simmons, Jeff Sonhouse, Eve Sussman, Alma Thomas, Hank Willis Thomas, Mickalene Thomas, Bob Thompson, Kara Walker, Jeff Whetstone, Kehinde Wiley, Fred Wilson and Lynette Yiadom-Boakye, among others.

The exhibition reflected the museum’s interest in the art and culture of the African diaspora, and included works in a variety of media–painting, drawing, photography, sculpture, video and installation. The exhibition opening event featured a talk with artists Barkley L. Hendricks and Mickalene Thomas and collector Jason Rubell, Duke graduate and member of the Nasher Museum’s national Board of Advisors, moderated by Chief Curator Trevor Schoonmaker.

As an art history student in North Carolina, contemporary art—messy term that it is—often seemed far off and impenetrable. Of course there are the many art publications that document art, but there is still a removal at play in all of those. At the Nasher, it seemed tangible, available, and alive. More than any hijinks or anecdote, what stands out to me is a spirit of openness and kindness among the people who make, inhabit and exhibit at the Nasher, who made a world of art attainable at Duke, in Durham and far beyond.

Andrew Hibbard, T’11
  • The exhibition opening event featured a talk with artists Barkley L. Hendricks and Mickalene Thomas and collector Jason Rubell, Duke graduate and member of the Nasher Museum's national Board of Advisors, moderated by Chief Curator Trevor Schoonmaker. Photo by J Caldwell.

    The exhibition opening event featured a talk with artists Barkley L. Hendricks and Mickalene Thomas and collector Jason Rubell, Duke graduate and member of the Nasher Museum's national Board of Advisors, moderated by Chief Curator Trevor Schoonmaker. Photo by J Caldwell.

  • Collector Jason Rubell, Duke graduate and member of the Nasher Museum's national Board of Advisors (right), visits the exhibition with his family. Photo by J Caldwell.

    Collector Jason Rubell, Duke graduate and member of the Nasher Museum's national Board of Advisors (right), visits the exhibition with his family. Photo by J Caldwell.

  • Artist Mickalene Thomas poses in front of her work. Photo by J Caldwell.

    Artist Mickalene Thomas poses in front of her work. Photo by J Caldwell.

  • Artist Barkley L. Hendricks poses in front of his work. Photo by J Caldwell.

    Artist Barkley L. Hendricks poses in front of his work. Photo by J Caldwell.

  • A visitor strolls past a work by Marlene Dumas. Photo by J Caldwell.

    A visitor strolls past a work by Marlene Dumas. Photo by J Caldwell.

  • Nasher Museum Director Kim Rorschach poses in the gallery with artist Carolee Schneemann and Duke Professor Kristine Stiles. Photo by J Caldwell.

    Nasher Museum Director Kim Rorschach poses in the gallery with artist Carolee Schneemann and Duke Professor Kristine Stiles. Photo by J Caldwell.

  • Barkley L. Hendricks, North Carolina Sisters, 1978 (printed 2010). Digital chromogenic print on Kodak Endura Matte paper, edition of 3, Image/sheet: 20 x 30 in. (50.8 x 76.2 cm). Collection of the Nasher Museum of Art at Duke University. Museum purchase, 2010.16.1. © Barkley L. Hendricks. Photo by Peter Paul Geoffrion.

    Barkley L. Hendricks, North Carolina Sisters, 1978 (printed 2010). Digital chromogenic print on Kodak Endura Matte paper, edition of 3, Image/sheet: 20 x 30 in. (50.8 x 76.2 cm). Collection of the Nasher Museum of Art at Duke University. Museum purchase, 2010.16.1. © Barkley L. Hendricks. Photo by Peter Paul Geoffrion.

  • Bob Thompson, Untitled (Aurora Leaving Cephalus), 1964. Oil on canvas, 13.5 x 17.75 inches. Collection of the Nasher Museum. Gift of Paula Cooper, in memory of Raymond D. Nasher. Photo by Peter Paul Geoffrion.

    Bob Thompson, Untitled (Aurora Leaving Cephalus), 1964. Oil on canvas, 13.5 x 17.75 inches. Collection of the Nasher Museum. Gift of Paula Cooper, in memory of Raymond D. Nasher. Photo by Peter Paul Geoffrion.

  • Christian Marclay, Breathless III, 2000. Altered wooden recorder flute, 11 3/8 inches. Collection of the Nasher Museum. Image courtesy of the artist and Paula Cooper Gallery, New York. © Christian Marclay.

    Christian Marclay, Breathless III, 2000. Altered wooden recorder flute, 11 3/8 inches. Collection of the Nasher Museum. Image courtesy of the artist and Paula Cooper Gallery, New York. © Christian Marclay.

  • Dan Perjovschi, Postcards from America (detail), 1994-95. Ink and graphite on paper mounted on cardboard, 3.5 x 3.5 inches. Collection of the Nasher Museum. Gift of Kristine Stiles. Photo by Peter Paul Geoffrion.

    Dan Perjovschi, Postcards from America (detail), 1994-95. Ink and graphite on paper mounted on cardboard, 3.5 x 3.5 inches. Collection of the Nasher Museum. Gift of Kristine Stiles. Photo by Peter Paul Geoffrion.

  • Gary Simmons, Erasure Chair, 1992. Felt and wood, 34 x 22.5 x 18 inches. Collection of the Nasher Museum. Gift of Blake Byrne, T'57, in honor of Raymond D. Nasher. © Gary Simmons. Photo: Peter Paul Geoffrion.

    Gary Simmons, Erasure Chair, 1992. Felt and wood, 34 x 22.5 x 18 inches. Collection of the Nasher Museum. Gift of Blake Byrne, T'57, in honor of Raymond D. Nasher. © Gary Simmons. Photo: Peter Paul Geoffrion.

  • Glenn Ligon, Warm Broad Glow, 2005. Neon and paint, 4 x 48 inches. Collection of the Nasher Museum. Gift of Blake Byrne, T'57, in honor of Raymond D. Nasher. Image courtesy of Regen Projects, Los Angeles. © Glenn Ligon.

    Glenn Ligon, Warm Broad Glow, 2005. Neon and paint, 4 x 48 inches. Collection of the Nasher Museum. Gift of Blake Byrne, T'57, in honor of Raymond D. Nasher. Image courtesy of Regen Projects, Los Angeles. © Glenn Ligon.

  • Jeff Whetstone, "Johnny from the series Post Pleistocene, 2007. Chromogenic print Edition 2 of 5. Collection of the Nasher Museum.

    Jeff Whetstone, "Johnny from the series Post Pleistocene, 2007. Chromogenic print Edition 2 of 5. Collection of the Nasher Museum.

  • , Tambourine. .

    More Information

  • , Winter in America. .

    More Information

  • Noah Davis, Black Widow with Brothers Fighting, 2008. Oil on canvas, 52 x 60 inches (132.1 x 152.4 cm). Gift of Marjorie (P’16, P’19, P’19) and Michael Levine (B.S.’84, P’16, P’19, P’19).

    More Information

  • , Decompositioning. .

    More Information

  • , Study for Ivelaw III. .

    More Information

  • Selected Works & Scenes from the Exhibition

Share on Facebook Share on Twitter
Related to this exhibition
Show