Installation view of “Damien Hirst: To Live Forever (For a While)” at Museo Jumex.
Photo: Prudence Cuming Associates Ltd; Courtesy of the artist and Museo Jumex
10 Spectacular Museum Exhibitions to See This Summer
From Damien Hirst in Mexico City to Mary Cassatt in Philadelphia, beat the heat by checking out some of these fabulous shows
Niki de Saint Phalle, Angel (Yellow), (1987). Photo: Courtesy of the artist
1. The Nelson-Atkins Museum of Art | “Niki de Saint Phalle: Rebellion and Joy”
With her trailblazing spirit, the late French American artist Niki de Saint Phalle believed that art could change the world. This career-spanning show explores how her creations were used to call attention to social and political issues such as gender inequality, racism, and the AIDS epidemic. Highlights include her “Shooting” series of the 1960s, made using a gun loaded with bags of paint, as well as her “Nanas,” joyous celebrations of the female form.
Through July 21
Damien Hirst, Heaven, (2008). Photo: Prudence Cuming Associates Ltd; Courtesy of the artist
2. Museo Jumex | “Damien Hirst: To Live Forever (For a While)”
Death has been a recurring motif for Damien Hirst ever since he rose to fame in 1991 with an actual tiger shark preserved in formaldehyde. Approximately 60 of his most emblematic works are organized in a comprehensive exhibition curated by Hirst expert Ann Gallagher alongside the artist himself. Not to be missed is the installation of one of his later shark sculptures as well as a lively presentation of his signature butterfly collages and Spin paintings.
Through August 25
Ball gown, House of Worth, (1887). Photo: BFA.com/Hippolyte Petit; courtesy of The Metropolitan Museum of Art
3. The Metropolitan Museum of Art | “Sleeping Beauties: Reawakening Fashion”
The Met’s Costume Institute puts the fragility of fashion under the spotlight in this showcase that displays archival masterpieces so delicate they can no longer be touched. Focusing on themes of nature, sustainability, and technology, the multisensory experience invites visitors to take a closer look at these historic pieces through artificial intelligence, light projection, soundscapes, and video animation.
Through September 2
Mary Cassatt, Lydia Seated in the Garden with a Dog on Her Lap, (1878–79). Photo: Cathy Lasry
4. Philadelphia Museum of Art | “Mary Cassatt at Work”
Considered one of the most influential female Impressionist painters in history, Mary Cassatt is now the subject of a sweeping exhibition that sheds new light on her iconoclastic practice in a male-dominated field. The diverse works on view demonstrate her interest in capturing the many facets of motherhood and being a woman and offer fascinating insight into her processes.
Through September 8
Nicole Eisenman, Beer garden with Ulrike and Celeste, (2009). Photo: Courtesy of Hall Collection
5. Museum of Contemporary Art Chicago | “Nicole Eisenman: What Happened”
Known for her inventive sculptures and vibrant canvases depicting scenes of figures relishing everyday life, New York artist Nicole Eisenman shows off her greatest hits in her first major U.S. survey. Tracing her illustrious career from her socially charged murals of the 1990s to her current poignant political paintings, the retrospective investigates themes of community, resistance, and humor.
Through September 22
Wassily Kandinsky, Riding Couple, (1906-1907). Photo: Lenbachhaus Munich, Donation of Gabriele Münter,
6. Tate Modern | “Expressionists: Kandinsky, Münter and The Blue Rider”
Founded in Munich, The Blue Rider was a group of artists with one mission: to transform modern art by expressing their experiences and philosophies through radical experimentation. Kicking off with art by Wassily Kandinsky and Gabriele Münter, this show brings together pieces from the Lenbachhaus in Munich to reveal an extravaganza of color, form, and sound.
Through October 20
Mickalene Thomas, A Little Taste Outside of Love, (2007). Photo: Courtesy of the artist
7. The Broad | “Mickalene Thomas: All About Love”
Using striking materials ranging from enamel to her signature rhinestones, Mickalene Thomas crafts complex landscapes and portraits to convey themes of identity and race in modern day life. For this encompassing retrospective, making its debut at the The Broad, 80 works made over two decades of the artist’s career will highlight her multipurpose practice in painting, sculpture, and installation.
Through September 29
Henri Matisse, The Red Studio, (1911). Photo: Courtesy of the artist and Foundation Louis Vuitton
Ellsworth Kelly, Spectrum VIII, (2014). Photo: Marc Domage
8. Foundation Louis Vuitton | “Matisse: The Red Studio/Ellsworth Kelly: Shapes and Colors”
Bringing together the works of two masters in their fields, an exhibition dedicated to Henri Matisse’s famed 1911 work The Red Studio coincides with a retrospective dedicated to painter and sculptor Ellsworth Kelly. Showcasing Matisse’s combined talent in painting and sculpture, more than 100 vibrant works by Kelly pop against the museum’s walls in a groundbreaking showcase.
Through September 9
Shabti of Pharaoh Sety I from the 19th Century. Photo: Courtesy The Trustees of the British Museum
9. National Gallery of Victoria | “Pharaoh”
A one-of-a-kind collaboration between NGV and the British Museum, more than 500 objects will be on display to show the full breadth of Egyptian art and culture. Separated into thematic sections starting from the 1st Dynasty to the Roman conquest, colossal statues will merge with carefully carved jewelry for this encompassing showcase.
Through October 6
Elias Not Afraid, Warrior Women beaded cuffs, (2018). Photo: Don Hall; Courtesy MacKenzie Art Gallery
10. National Gallery of Canada | “Radical Stitch”
Serving as a landmark showcase dedicated to the finest masters in weaving, embroidery, and beading, pieces ranging from wearable art to intricate textiles are shown alongside installation and video. Nodding to the practice’s original roots in Indigenous communities and artists, these objects on display stand as much social and political commentary as artistic treasures.
Through September 30
Cover: Installation view of “Damien Hirst: To Live Forever (For a While)” at Museo Jumex.
Photo: Prudence Cuming Associates Ltd; Courtesy of the artist and Museo Jumex
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