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The Memphis Brooks Museum of Art
1934 Poplar Avenue Memphis, TN 38104 PH: 901.544.6200 PH: 901.544.6200 Map www.brooksmuseum.org Exhibitions: Peaceful Warriors: Aim for Change Art and Scandal: The McCall Purchase Armed + Dangerous: Art of the Arsenal Mid-South Scholastic Art Awards
Curated by the Memphis community via Facebook A companion to Armed + Dangerous: Art of the Arsenal, this exhibition aims to document local individuals and organizations that fight for important causes in nonviolent ways. Twenty compelling photographs and writings by students from Trezevant High school, Hutchison, and Westwood High School demonstrate the important role that teens can play in bringing our diverse community together to discuss and address social issues.
Located in Galleries Sturm and 29 In 1943 the City of Memphis spent $ 25,000 for 38 paintings from the Saint Louis collector Warner S. McCall. Although a modest sum by today’s standards, this expenditure of public funds for fine art ignited a huge civic debate. The controversy was fueled by dynamic exchanges in the local press, and eventually attracted national attention. Even Time Magazine weighed in, stating “. . . stout, glad-handed Park Commissioner John B. Vesey of Memphis wanted his city to have 1) the largest zoo in the U.S., 2) an eye-catching art collection. With the zoo the Commissioner was doing splendidly. But last week his art boom had the mange.” Despite the criticism, the McCall purchase was actually a very clever move, bringing works by Sir Anthony vanDyck, Sofonisba Anguissola, Winslow Homer, and George Inness to the Brooks. This exhibition will explore the origins of the McCall collection, how it arrived in Memphis, the political ramifications of the purchase, and the role of connoisseurship in building a museum’s collection. It will also offer us a chance to reconsider all the paintings originally in the group, from the misses to the masterpieces.
Originated from the Berkshire Museum, Pittsfield, MA ArtsMemphis, Hyde Family Foundations, The Tennessee Arts Commission, The Jeniam Foundation, and AutoZone Throughout history, humans have crafted armaments for both offensive and defensive purposes. Ranging from simple axes and shields to complex guns and armor, the myriad weapons developed over the centuries reflect the evolution of technology, class, myth making, and personal identity. Often, their functionality is equaled by their superb artistry; and they provide great insight into our understanding of changes in human culture. Armed + Dangerous: Art of the Arsenal encompasses weaponry from around the world and spanning over 3000 years. Regardless of when or where they were made, these objects were created to fight, protect, and intimidate and just as often to convey power and status. Many of them have been inspired by the natural world, where fierce fangs, claws, beaks, and horns are displayed not only to injure or kill, but also to avoid battle through demonstrations of dominance. The embellishment of some of the exquisite examples of early weapons—such as elaborately designed swords, shields, daggers, clubs, and maces—belies their functional purpose. The exhibition includes culturally diverse armaments, including a Greek helmet, American muskets and pistols, a Persian horned helmet, Filipino chain mail, three sets of medieval armor, African shields, and a Samurai suit, all of which display a balance of both fine craftsmanship and functionality. Armed + Dangerous: Art of the Arsenal explores the evolution, function, and craft of weaponry and armor across time and continents. It demonstrates how they reflect the cultures that produced them and that even some of the most menacing objects can be aesthetically appealing.
The Mid-South Scholastic Art Awards is an annual juried student art exhibition presented by the Brooks Museum League and the Memphis Brooks Museum of Art. Mid-South Scholastic Art Awards As an Affiliate of the Alliance for Young Artists and Writers, the Mid-South Scholastic Art Awards honors exemplary art by students in 7th through 12th grades, recognizing their outstanding achievements in a competitive annual exhibition and providing cash prizes and scholarship opportunities. The Mid-South Scholastic Art Awards is generously sponsored by the Brooks Museum League, which provides both financial support and countless volunteer hours. |
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