In 2024, the Henry Art Gallery at the University of Washington will present major exhibitions by pioneering contemporary artists, including Hank Willis Thomas, Martine Gutierrez, Lucy Kim, Christine Sun Kim, A.K. Burns, and Tala Madani. These exhibitions further the museum’s goals of centering art and artists, amplifying diverse voices, and providing first-hand experiences to explore the art and ideas of our times.
The year starts with LOVERULES by Hank Willis Thomas, a monumental exploration of the conceptual artist and activist’s 20+ year practice. Drawn from the collections of Jordan D. Schnitzer and his family foundation, the exhibition includes 90+ of Thomas’s most iconic works, including the B®anded and Unbranded series which explore the commodification of African-American identity in advertising and sports.
Also on view will be a curated selection of works by Martine Gutierrez, held in conjunction with the museum’s annual Monsen Photography Lecture. Gutierrez’s work in video, film, and photography subverts pop-cultural tropes, delving into the complexities of identity as both a social construct and an authentic expression of self. In May, the Henry will host the annual University of Washington's MFA + MDes Thesis Exhibition, showcasing the diverse talents and visionary ideas of emerging artists.
Summer exhibitions will include Korean-American artist Lucy Kim who fuses painting, sculpture, and biological media. Working with scientists, the artist has pioneered an experimental printing process using genetically modified bacteria. The exhibition at the Henry will unveil a new installation of printed works that investigate the entangled relationship between bioengineering, visual appearance, and the construction of race. In addition, Christine Sun Kim will activate the Henry’s east façade with a commissioned mural that weaves the musicality of American Sign Language into a new composition to bring attention to Deaf representation.
Fall 2024 exhibitions will include installation and video works by A.K. Burns, featuring the immersive Negative Space series in which the artist reflects on the complexities of life in the margins. In a newly commissioned exhibition, Iranian artist Tala Madani's paintings and stop motion films, blending humor and critical insight, offer an exploration of motherhood, power structures, and representation.
Exhibitions will be activated by public programs, including talks, screenings, and workshops.
