Good morning! Earlier this year, an exhibition of ledger drawings created by incarcerated Native artists drew rave reviews. But some of these works were purchased at auction in 2022 — against the wishes of two Native American tribes’ representatives — by dealer Donald Ellis, who showed them again at Expo Chicago this weekend, raising ethical questions. Matt Stromberg has the story, below.
In other news, a Google Doodle pays tribute to late Lebanese-American poet and artist Etel Adnan. And there’s only one appropriate reaction to the impending reopening of the dreaded Hudson Yards Vessel: “Oh no.”
Author Bridget Quinn also brings us an excerpt from her new book delving into the life of Adélaïde Labille-Guiard. The 18th-century French painter was talented, accomplished, and relentlessly pitted against a fellow woman artist of her time.
Read on for more, including Hall Rockefeller on the story of Black artistic muse Hettie Anderson, our April mini crossword (for an extra challenge, try to complete it in under a minute), and much more. Have a lovely Tuesday.
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— Lakshmi Rivera Amin, Associate Editor
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The drawings, taken from ledger books made by Native people imprisoned in the 19th century, were sold at auction in 2022 against tribal members' wishes.
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Matt Stromberg |
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SPONSORED
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In 10 intricately layered paintings from Kaloki Nyamai’s ongoing series Dining in Chaos, the artist draws inspiration from life in Nairobi, weaving collective memories that emerge and recede from legibility. His paintings are composites of multiple canvases and materials, literally stitching together the fabric of a community scarred by the legacy of colonization.
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Carbs, comedy, and colorful frescoes abound in today's mini puzzle!
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Natan Last |
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SPONSORED
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Women figurative realist painters can propel their careers by entering to win $50,000 and a traveling solo exhibition of their work. Applications are open through October 4.
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Learn more
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Whenever French 18th-century artist Adélaïde Labille-Guiard is mentioned, it’s almost always as a counterpoint to her better-known “rival,” Élisabeth Vigée-Lebrun.
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Bridget Quinn |
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Her face has gazed over midtown Manhattan traffic for over a century, but it wasn’t until 2023 that Hettie Anderson received official public recognition in words.
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Hall W. Rockefeller |
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The Time is Always Now emphasizes the continuing importance of Black identity, visibility, and recognition in predominantly White society.
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Olivia McEwan |
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Artist Giulia Cenci’s new installation in NYC has viewers questioning the impacts of arbitrary hierarchies imposed by the human race.
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Rhea Nayyar |
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Dozens of artists and project spaces in the Brooklyn neighborhood opened their doors this weekend, inviting the public behind the scenes.
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Rhea Nayyar |
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