New Sculpture/New Jersey

Continuing its commitment to celebrating artists from across the Garden State, the Morris Museum will present a fresh look at contemporary sculpture in an exhibition that opens September 20, 2024. On view into the winter months, New Sculpture/New Jersey exhibits the work of eleven sculptors working in a wide range of materials; malleable aluminum, cold-worked glass, and industrial robotics join the more traditional media of ceramics, forged iron, and steel. Showcasing 40 works together with short video interviews with the artists, the exhibition will connect visitors with the purpose, context, and meaning driving their work and motivating their choices.

Importantly, the exhibition was born from the Museum’s team asking the question: who is making sculpture today in New Jersey? and then exploring the myriad ways their chosen media and means of artmaking relate to new conversations about nature, art, and society. Guest curator Bryant Small, built on a concept begun last summer by former curator Michelle Graves and President and CEO Tom Loughman. The result is a project that provides a snapshot of the exciting and boundary-extending creativity generated by a cross-section of renowned and mid-career sculptors contributing to our state’s vibrant arts scene.

“We see an opportunity to give voice to our region’s artists working in the third dimension,” said President and CEO Thomas J. Loughman, Ph.D. “This snapshot of the field, neither our first sculpture project, nor our last — reveals an exciting and eclectic group of contemporary makers exploring methods, materials, and ideas in studios across the Garden State.”

These eleven acclaimed artists have received fellowships from the New Jersey State Council on the Arts, Joan Mitchell Foundation, the John Simon Guggenheim Fellowship, the Pollock-Krasner Foundation, and the National Endowment for the Arts. The artists, each with a career filled with notable achievements, are in the collections of our colleague institutions including Brooklyn Museum, Corning Museum of Glass, Guggenheim Museum, Grounds for Sculpture, Storm King Art Center, and Whitney Museum of Art. Their work has been the subject of solo exhibitions at institutions such as The Bronx Art Space, The Cleveland Museum of Art, Ground for Sculpture, LUX Art Institute, Neumeraki, and The Novado Gallery, and on public view at Portland International Airport.

“In the process of building this show, I’ve found that sculptors have their mutually supportive community inside of the art world,” said guest curator Bryant Small. “They understand the unique challenges that come with fabrication, timelines, and finding studio space large enough for what they do.”

The sculptors exhibiting in New Sculpture/New Jersey are: Christine Barney, Sunil Garg, Brian Gustafson, Valerie Huhn, Robert Koch, Josh Knoblick, Jamie Levine, Robert Lobe, Phillip A. Robinson Jr., Judi Tavill, and Katie Truk.

To view related content and artist videos, please visit the @NewSculptureNewJersey Instagram channel. The channel will be launched in September.

About the Morris Museum

The Morris Museum—founded in 1913 and located on 8.5 sylvan acres in Morris Township, New Jersey since the mid-1960s—draws visitors from across the region to its dynamic and acclaimed art exhibitions and performing arts events. Its 45,000+ object collection of art and material culture from around the world joins the art of our time in displays throughout the Museum’s purpose-built spaces and within the historic Twin Oaks mansion, designed by McKim, Mead & White.

About exhibition curator Bryant Small
Bryant Small is a distinguished artist and curator recognized for his innovative and inclusive approach to exhibition design. His curatorial projects are known for their thoughtful curation, bringing together different mediums and styles in ways that provoke thought and foster dialogue among audiences. With a commitment to pushing the boundaries of traditional curation and a focus on inclusivity, Bryant Small continues to shape the contemporary art landscape, making a lasting impact on both artists and audiences. Bryant Small’s work has been featured in galleries and museum exhibitions across the country, earning him accolades and a growing following among art enthusiasts and collectors alike. His unique approach to both creating and curating art continues to inspire and influence the contemporary art scene.