The Brooklyn Museum is celebrating its bicentennial with an exceptional group exhibition honoring more than 200 artists who have lived or worked in Brooklyn. This event, which reflects the artistic vitality of the borough, is organized by four leading figures in contemporary art: Vik Muniz, Mickalene Thomas, Fred Tomaselli, and Jeffrey Gibson, the latter also exhibiting at the Venice Biennale with a series of works that interrogate American founding myths, presenting sculptures, installations, and films inspired by his Choctaw-Cherokee heritage.
The exhibition, titled "The Brooklyn Artists Exhibition," features a selection of established and emerging artists, including Brad Kahlhamer, Nancy Grossman, and Josiah McElheny. The institution received nearly 4,000 submissions, open to artists who had lived in Brooklyn or maintained a studio there within the past five years. Sharon Matt Atkins, the museum's deputy director, expressed the importance of this commitment to the local art scene: "For decades, we have supported Brooklyn artists, and this exhibition extends that legacy. We are proud to celebrate the artistic diversity of the borough and to pay tribute to the creative voices that make Brooklyn a vibrant cultural hub."
The exhibition—which opened in October and runs until January 2025—reflects not only the diversity of artistic practices, ranging from drawing and sculpture to video and installation, but also the creative energy that characterizes Brooklyn. The themes explored in the selected works, such as migration, intercultural exchange, identity, history, and memory, resonate both locally and internationally. The selection process was a collaborative effort between the artists' committee and an open call for submissions, demonstrating the richness of the proposals received.
For Anne Pasternak, the museum's director, this exhibition fulfills a long-standing request from artists: "For years, they've been asking us to organize a major exhibition dedicated to Brooklyn artists, and we've finally done it! Brooklyn is a hotbed of artists, more so than anywhere else, and we're thrilled to extend our support to this exceptional community." Alongside the exhibition, several public programs will punctuate the event, highlighting artists whose practices include performance.
This anniversary marks a significant moment for the Brooklyn Museum, which celebrates two centuries of commitment to artists while looking towards the future. The exhibition pays tribute to the talents that bring Brooklyn to life, creating an artistic mosaic where innovation, solidarity, and experimentation intertwine.
“THE BROOKLYN ARTISTS EXHIBITION” BROOKLYN MUSEUM
200 EASTERN PARKWAY, BROOKLYN, NEW YORK (USA)
FROM OCTOBER 4, 2024 TO JANUARY 26, 2025
BROOKLYNMUSEUM.ORG
