Museums – Culture Shock Art

October 18, 2018

The Getty Acquires Betye Saar’s Artistic Archive and Dedicates $5M for Scholarly Research of African American Art

Last month the Getty Research Institute announced that they have pledged an initial $5M dollar investment to fund an ambitious program dedicated to curatorial research and scholarship of African-American art. The African American Art History Initiative will place the GRI at the center of scholarly research in Black art on the west coast and will … Continue reading The Getty Acquires Betye Saar’s Artistic Archive and Dedicates $5M for Scholarly Research of African American Art

October 11, 2018October 11, 2018

“Project Blue Boy” Gives Visitors a Glimpse Into an Historic Restoration

The Huntington Library acquired The Blue Boy by Thomas Gainsborough in 1921, and it has graced the walls of the Library as one of it’s crown jewels ever since. The piece has never been loaned or taken out of view for an extended period of time, and the only exception was made in 2017 when … Continue reading “Project Blue Boy” Gives Visitors a Glimpse Into an Historic Restoration

March 17, 2018March 17, 2018

Same Ol’ MOCA

In 2009 MOCA had miraculously survived a financial crisis that left them vulnerable to bankruptcy and acquisition. After receiving an infusion of capital that required them to tighten their belts, the museum was anxious to move forward when they announced their new attitude under the guise of a turnaround campaign called “MOCA New”. When that … Continue reading Same Ol’ MOCA

February 24, 2018

Artist a Day: Njideka Akunyili Crosby

From the L.A. Times: “Njideka is an artist who has the capacity to really bring together worlds that may not stand in unison. Which is to say the continental African experience and that of black folks living in diaspora,” says Jamillah James, curator at the Institute of Contemporary Art, Los Angeles. In 2015, when James … Continue reading Artist a Day: Njideka Akunyili Crosby

February 20, 2018

Artist a Day: Lubaina Himid

In many ways, Lubaina Himid’s art has helped me synthesize my thoughts and observations on London after my extended visit there this month. She’s been creating art for over 35 years and was recently awarded the Turner Prize by the Tate in 2017. As both the oldest recipient and the first black woman to receive … Continue reading Artist a Day: Lubaina Himid

February 14, 2018February 14, 2018

Artist a Day: Kerry James Marshall

Happy Valentine’s Day! I’ve written about Marshall numerous times here, and today I thought I’d go simple and celebrate KJM’s love for love. All of these photos are from Mastry at MOCA last year and it’s a show that I still think of often. https://cshockart.com/2017/07/02/kerry-james-marshalls-mastry-examines-the-power-of-the-image/ https://cshockart.com/2017/02/28/artist-a-day-challenge-27-kerry-james-marshall/ https://cshockart.com/2017/12/29/the-art-that-helped-me-survive-2017/ Continue reading Artist a Day: Kerry James Marshall

February 11, 2018February 2, 2018

Artist a Day: Romare Bearden

Looking at Romare Bearden’s Sea Nymph reminded me of the underwater world created by Ellen Gallagher. Bearden’s collage works transports viewers to a vast array of worlds both real and supernatural. His work deserves a much larger post, but I invite you to get lost in the images found on the Romare Bearden … Continue reading Artist a Day: Romare Bearden