Contemporary in Black & White Selections from the Art Museum Collection

January 15 – June 4, 2022 

South Two Gallery

In the realm of contemporary art, achromatic does not equate to insignificant. Selected from the museum’s permanent collection, these contemporary works are brought together by the common theme of color or lack thereof. Without the element of color, ideas must be conveyed only by line, shape, value, texture, and composition. The intentionality of casting aside the color spectrum and focusing on the visual power of black and white results in surprising and thought-provoking imagery.

One might associate the idea of achromatic contemporary art with a more abstract vision, such as Jon Lodge’s artwork that fuses systems and processes of music with visual art or Shinique Smith’s nonrepresentational collage. However, viewers will find familiar imagery, such as Donald Sultan’s eight-balls. The works included in Contemporary in Black + White engage such concepts as systemic racism, consumerism, and environmental degradation. 

This exhibition is curated to coincide with the Art Museum’s Black and White Ball, on April 9, 2022. Hosted by the UW Art Museum National Advisory Board, this annual gala fundraiser provides significant financial support for museum exhibitions, collections, education, and outreach. This year the gala is inspired by Truman Capote’s legendary Ball of the same name, held in 1966 at the Plaza Hotel in NYC. Much like Capote’s Ball, our 2022 Gala a festive evening of fine food, libations, music, and friendship, all to support the extensive programs of the UW Art Museum.

Funded through the generosity of the Fred & Pam Rentschler Endowment for the University Art Museum Collections and Sue Sommers.

Images:

Shinique Smith (American, b. 1971), Salt and Pepper, 2010, screenprint and collage on paper 30 x 22 inches, Gift of ExitArt, 2013.15.5

Travis Louie (American, b. 1964), Rollo “Slappy” Spivey, 2013, acrylic on panel, 16 x 12 inches, Frederick & Pamela Rentschler Endowment for University Art Museum Collections, 2017.11