Sheldon Museum of Art will open four exhibitions on Aug. 15 celebrating painting - particularly abstract painting - across generations of American artists. Anchored by two major loan exhibitions spanning mid-century and contemporary practice, the fall season brings exceptional paintings to Nebraska that likely won't be seen here again for years to come. The exhibitions will be on view through Jan. 3, 2027.
"It is a rare opportunity to witness major artworks from top-level public and private collections gathered together in one place," said Magdalena Moskalewicz, Sheldon's chief curator and associate director for curatorial affairs. "In the museum world, an exhibition like the one featuring Grace Hartigan is a once-in-a-generation event."
Gender, Genre, Generation: Women Painting Abstraction'
Presented alongside Hartigan's historical works, "Gender, Genre, Generation: Women Painting Abstraction" offers a living, contemporary response, featuring recent paintings by four artists working today: Candida Alvarez, Rochelle Feinstein, Carrie Moyer and Amy Sillman. Together with the Hartigan exhibition, "Gender, Genre, Generation" makes the case for painting - specifically abstract painting -as a vital form across generations of American artists, pairing mid-century masterworks with the practice of a still-active generation carrying that legacy forward.
Born between 1947 and 1960 and active since the 1980s, the four artists share not only a generation, but decades-long careers as art school professors, extending their influence beyond the gallery through teaching and mentorship.
Working with deep understanding of - though not necessarily full deference to - the established formats of 20th century modernism, these women construct visual languages for the contemporary moment, grounded in their lived experiences. The exhibition asks what abstraction - after decades of use as metaphor, as expression, as gesture - can still do today.
"Gender, Genre, Generation: Women Painting Abstraction" was organized by Moskalewicz.
Feinstein, professor emerita at Yale School of Art, will discuss her multi-decade practice and the works featured in the exhibition at 5:30 p.m. Nov. 12, exploring how abstract painting can respond to the cultural, political and media realities of contemporary life.
Exhibition support was provided by Jennifer and Brian Cintani and Donna Woods and Jon Hinrichs.
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