The Lyman Allyn Art Museum, located near Connecticut College in New London, Conn., recently showcased the work of the late artist Barkley L. Hendricks, known for his captivating portraits. This year, the museum is highlighting the artworks of Norma Morgan, a Connecticut-born artist whose focus was on landscapes. Despite being lesser-known, Morgan’s work was featured in several notable exhibitions internationally and gained recognition in the art world.
John Rhoden, a prolific sculptor of the 20th century, spent most of his career in New York City. The Pennsylvania Academy of the Fine Arts in Philadelphia is currently hosting the first comprehensive retrospective of Rhoden’s work, featuring hundreds of his artworks and archival materials. Meanwhile, the Hammer Museum at UCLA is delving into the enigmatic practice of Stanley Brouwn, a Dutch-born conceptual artist who maintained a reclusive persona, shunning interviews and public exposure of his work.
Several U.S. art museums, often situated in less mainstream locations or affiliated with academic institutions, are devoting solo exhibitions to five significant yet under-recognized artists: Norma Morgan, John Rhoden, Stanley Brouwn, Milford Graves, and Robert Earle Paige. While these artists may be celebrated within specific circles, these new exhibitions aim to showcase their diverse artistic practices and introduce their work to a broader audience.
From left, JOHN RHODEN, “Kiss,” undated (wood, overall 29 1/2 x 10 x 10 inches /74.9 x 25.4 x 25.4 cm); JOHN RHODEN, “Eve,” 1957 (bronze, overall 48 1/4 x 16 17 inches / 122.6 x 40.6 x 44.5 cm). | Pennsylvania Academy of the Fine Arts, Philadelphia, Pa., The John Walter Rhoden and Richanda Phillips Rhoden Collection. 2019.27.4. Photo © Sahar Coston-Hardy/Esto
Unveiling The Artistic Journey of John Rhoden @ Pennsylvania Academy of the Arts (PAFA), Philadelphia, Pa. | October 5, 2023–April 7, 2024
The retrospective exhibition of sculptor John Walter Rhoden (1916-2001) at PAFA features around 70 sculptures created in bronze, wood, and stone. Rhoden’s artwork reflects his extensive travels, diverse influences, and a sensual artistic approach. The showcase includes archival materials that offer insights into the artist’s life and career. Rhoden’s background includes studies at various institutions and global travels that shaped his artistic perspective. Throughout his career, he contributed significantly to the art world through his sculptures, public art commissions, and educational endeavors. In 2017, PAFA was entrusted with preserving Rhoden’s legacy, leading to the current exhibition curated by Brittany Webb. The exhibition is complemented by a comprehensive catalog and a digitized archive showcasing the artist’s extensive body of work and ephemera.
The exhibition “stanley brouwn” at The Hammer Museum at UCLA in Los Angeles, California, running from February 3 to May 5, 2024, showcases the work of Dutch conceptual artist stanley brouwn (1935-2017). brouwn was known for unconventional art practices such as considering all shoe stores in Amsterdam as an exhibition of his work and turning hand-drawn maps from strangers he asked for directions into artworks labeled “THIS WAY BROUWN.” The exhibition features about 60 works spanning from the 1960s to 2014, showcasing his minimalist approach with thinly drawn lines and typed numbers. Despite his secretive nature, brouwn’s work was featured in significant international exhibitions during his lifetime. The Hammer Museum exhibition coincides with a long-term presentation at Dia Beacon, showcasing brouwn’s works through 2025.
On the other hand, the exhibition “Norma Morgan in Context” at the Lyman Allyn Art Museum in New London, Connecticut, from January 13 to April 7, 2024, highlights the landscapes of artist Norma Morgan (1928-2017). Morgan’s landscapes are imbued with a spiritual quality and a sense of wonder, inspired by her observations and imagination. One of her notable works, “Moor Country–Nantucket Island, Massachusetts” from 2001, is part of The Michael K. and Marian E. Butler Collection.**Exhibition: Norma Morgan in Context**
Norma Morgan, a talented artist known for her distinct landscapes and portraits, was deeply influenced by nature and her surroundings in New Haven, Conn., New York City, Woodstock, N.Y., and the United Kingdom. Her artworks often depict rock formations, forests, waterfalls, and expansive vistas, with some featuring solitary figures that emphasize the vastness of the scenes. In addition to landscapes, Morgan also created portraits of friends, family, and notable figures like Sojourner Truth and Harriet Tubman. Her solid art education included studying at various prestigious institutions like the Whitney School of Art and the Art Students League in New York. Morgan’s work has been showcased in several galleries and exhibitions, including a notable display at the Lyman Allyn Art Museum titled “Norma Morgan in Context,” which features 28 works created between 1950 and 2008, primarily on paper and two oil paintings. The exhibition highlights Morgan’s artistic journey in relation to her mentors, contemporaries, and influences, such as Romare Bearden, Samella Lewis, and Rembrandt, among others.
Norma Morgan’s artistic legacy has been recognized through exhibitions like “Norma Morgan: In the Lands of the Moors and Catskills” (2023) and “Norma Morgan: Enchanted World” (2021) at esteemed art institutions. Her works can be found in prestigious collections including the National Gallery of Art, Museum of Modern Art, Whitney Museum of American Art, and Portland Art Museum in Oregon.
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**Exhibition: Milford Graves: A Mind-Body Deal**
**Location:** Suzanne Lemberg Usdan Gallery, Bennington College, Bennington, Vt.
**Dates:** Feb. 27–April 27, 2024
Milford Graves (1941-2021), a renowned jazz drummer, educator, and artist, revolutionized the role of drummers in jazz music. His innovative approach included creating his own martial arts form inspired by Lindy Hop and African dance traditions, in addition to his expertise in herbalism and botany. The retrospective exhibition showcases a diverse selection of Graves’ works, including uniquely decorated drum sets, hand-painted album covers, sculptural assemblages, photographs, costumes, live recordings, and archival materials. The display also provides insights into the artist’s residence and garden in Jamaica, Queens, New York. Graves, who was a professor at Bennington College and a pivotal figure in the Black Music Division, left a lasting impact on the institution before his passing.
ROBERT EARLE PAIGE, “Universal Colours of Paige,” 1990 (hand painted and dyed (batik) Crepe de Chine silk. | © Robert Earl Paige
United Colors of Robert Earle Paige @ Hyde Park Art Center, Chicago, Ill. | April 6-Oct. 27, 2024
Robert Earle Paige, a renowned artist, designer, and educator from Chicago, is celebrated for his unique fabric and textile creations. Influenced by West African symbolism, modern art, and the essence of Black life, his work is highly visual and striking. Paige’s background includes a degree from the School of the Art Institute in Chicago and experience at Skidmore Owings and Merrill before transitioning to fashion and product design collaborations with well-known brands. As a key figure in the Black Arts Movement, Paige is dedicated to community-centered arts programs and sharing his knowledge with young artists. The “United Colors of Robert Earle Paige” exhibition at Hyde Park Art Center in Chicago showcases his six-decade journey through textile designs, painted fabrics, and recent mixed media pieces created during his Radicle Residency at the center. Part of the citywide Art Design Chicago series, this retrospective offers a comprehensive insight into Paige’s artistic evolution and impact. CT
BOOKSHELF
Explore the latest exhibition catalog edited by Brittany Webb, “Determined to Be: The Sculpture of John Rhoden.” Additionally, a gallery guide accompanying the Norma Morgan exhibition at the Lyman Allyn Museum presents insightful essays by Bruce Weber and Tanya Pohrt. Visitors can obtain complimentary hard copies of the guide. For a deeper dive into the art world, consider reading “Milford Graves: A Mind-Body Deal” and “As Serious As Your Life: Black Music and the Free Jazz Revolution, 1957–1977,” which sheds light on the significant contributions of Milford Graves.
