Contemporary art is, simply put, the art of our time. New/Now highlights works created between 1996 and 2020 that have been added to the D’Amour Museum of Fine Arts’ permanent collection in the last two years. The exceptional prints, paintings, and mixed media works speak to the varied experiences of their makers, reflect the current moment, and support the Museums’ goal of diversifying the collection.

Featured prominently are five works by artist, activist, and author Faith Ringgold (American, born 1930). Best known for imaginative textile artworks called story quilts, Ringgold draws on her lived experience and on collective histories to create captivating narrative images. Since the 1990s, Ringgold has used silkscreen prints, such as those on view in this exhibition to share her work more widely. In her prints, Ringgold revisits her childhood in Harlem and amplifies the stories of people she admires.

Also on display through the month of February is a vibrant serigraph by Nelson Stevens (American, 1938-1922) who used printmaking to disseminate beautiful and empowered depictions of Black people. In March, the work will be installed in the exhibition Nelson Stevens: Color Rapping. Additionally, face masks created by Ai Weiwei (Chinese, born 1957) in response to the Covid-19 pandemic, and work by the environmentalist and painter Marlene Yu (Taiwanese-American, born 1937), who is inspired by the natural world, are highlighted.

Image: Groovin’ High, 1996, silkscreen by Faith Ringgold (American, born 1930). Museum Purchase, 2022.D05. Photography by John Polak.