The Power of Portraiture: Recent Acquisitions - Nasher Museum of Art at Duke University

Portraiture has long been an effective mode of artistic expression. A portrait is more than a mere rendering of an individual or group of people, and often serves as a revealing window onto the sitters’ individuality. Portraits can also be political, poignant and powerful means of representing the figure to reveal insight into the human condition. For some artists, creating portraits can be a practical and personal way to fashion identity.

The eleven recently acquired works included here represent a broad range of stylistic and conceptual approaches to rendering portraits. Ming Smith uses the camera to establish a forthright and self-reflexive gaze, while Clarence Heyward turns his back to us as a way to universalize his experience. Others such as Genesis Tremaine and Tunji Adeyeni-Jones distort and abstract the figure to evoke a psychological and physical dynamism. These diverse artistic strategies reveal portraiture’s true power: its ability to capture the nuances and expansiveness of one’s subjectivity.

This exhibition is organized by Lauren Haynes, former Patsy R. and Raymond D. Nasher Senior Curator of Contemporary Art and Curatorial Assistant Julianne Miao, with research support by Caroline Carey, A.B.’22.

The Power of Portraiture is generously supported by Ruth (A.B.’81, P’11) and John Caccavale (A.B.’81, P’11).

Tunji Adeniyi Jones, Astral Reflections, 2021. Aquatint on Somerset Satin paper, edition 28/30, 30 × 44 inches (76.2 × 111.76 cm). Collection of the Nasher Museum of Art at Duke University. Gift of Nicelle Beauchene Gallery and Morán Morán Gallery, 2021.27.1. © Tunji Adeniyi Jones.
Amoako Boafo, Nancy, 2017. Oil on canvas, 53 1/4 × 49 5/8 inches (135.26 × 126.05 cm). Collection of the Nasher Museum of Art at Duke University. Gift of Marianne Boesky, 2021.35.1. © Amoako Boafo, 2017. Courtesy of the artist and Roberts Projects, Los Angeles.
Clarence Heyward, PTSD, 2020. Acrylic and gold leaf on canvas, 60 x 48 inches (152.4 x 121.92 cm). © Clarence Heyward. Image courtesy of the artist. Collection of the Nasher Museum of Art. This work was part of the 2022 exhibition Reckoning and Resilience: North Carolina Art Now.
Wangari Mathenge, The Ascendants XIV (She is Here), 2021. Oil on canvas, 85 × 64 inches (215.9 × 162.56 cm). Collection of the Nasher Museum of Art at Duke University. Museum purchase with funds provided by Colleen and Javier Baz, 2022.5.1. © Wangari Mathenge, 2021. Courtesy of the artist.
Asuka Anastacia Ogawa, Meu Sol, 2021. Acrylic on canvas, 60 × 84 × 2 1/4 inches (152.4 × 213.36 × 5.72 cm). Collection of the Nasher Museum of Art at Duke University. Museum purchase with funds provided by Stuart Barr and Sarah Mackey, 2021.28.1. © Asuka Anastacia Ogawa. Courtesy of the artist and Blum & Poe, Los Angeles/New York/Tokyo.
Mikael Owunna, Olave, Queer Trans Femme Burundian from the series Limitless Africans, 2018. Kodak Pro Endura print, edition 1/10, 24 × 36 inches (60.96 × 91.44 cm). Collection of the Nasher Museum of Art at Duke University. Museum purchase, 2021.10.2. © Mikael Owunna. Image courtesy of the artist.
Kenny Rivero, Self Portrait with an Atom, 2021. Oil on canvas, 8 × 11 inches (20.32 × 27.94 cm). Collection of the Nasher Museum of Art at Duke University. Museum purchase, 2022.4.1. © Kenny Rivero.
Ming Smith, Untitled (Self Portrait with Camera) New York, NY, 1975. Archival silver gelatin print, edition 1/5, 16 × 20 inches (40.64 × 50.8 cm). Collection of the Nasher Museum of Art at Duke University. Museum purchase, 2021.25.1. © Ming Smith.
Erika Stone, Dancer Pearl Primus, c. 1946. Vintage ferrotyped gelatin silver print, 8 1/2 x 6 5/8 inches (21.59 x 16.83 cm). Collection of the Nasher Museum of Art at Duke University. Gift of Charles (A.B.’84) and Linda Googe, 2020.21.306. © Erika Stone. Courtesy of Katrina Doerner Photographs, New York.
Genesis Tramaine, Saint with Bethel Vision, 2021. Acrylic, spray paint, Hurricane Ida Rain (2021 storm water), Holy Spirit and oil sticks; 72 × 72 inches (182.88 × 182.88 cm). Collection of the Nasher Museum of Art at Duke University. Gift of David L. and Jessica Ruttenberg, 2021.34.1. © Genesis Tramaine.