ArtCollectionsContemporary

Contemporary

The contemporary art collection features cutting-edge contemporary works by living artists, from the mid-20th century to today. Representing works by artists working all over the world, the collection features diverse perspectives that illuminate the contemporary human experience.

Contemporary

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About the Collection

The Contemporary Collection, representing art created after 1960, includes painting, sculpture, video, digital and new media art including some of the most iconic artists of our time, including works by Olafur Eliasson, Anish Kapoor, Yayoi Kusama, Sol LeWitt, Maya Lin, Glenn Ligon, Josiah McElheny, Julian Opie, Cornelia Parker, and Kehinde Wiley, among many others. The contemporary collection strives to acquire important work that enhances both the depth and breadth of the Museum’s collection while continuing to enhance its cultural and geographic diversity. Since 2016, the Museum has prioritized adding works by artists with more diverse backgrounds, including women, artists of color, and LGBTQI+ artists.

Collection Highlights

You Who are Getting Obliterated in the Dancing Swarm of Fireflies (Tú que estás siendo obliterado por una multitud de luciérnagas danzantes)

Yayoi Kusama, Japanese, born 1929, 2005, installation, mixed media installation with LED lights, Museum purchase with funds provided by Jan and Howard Hendler

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Four Ice Cream Cones (Cuatro conos de helado)

Wayne Thiebaud, American, 1920 - 2021, 1964, painting, oil on canvas, Museum purchase – COMPAS funds

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Nude Man (Hombre desnudo)

Viola Frey, American, 1933 - 2004, 1989, glazed ceramic, Gift of Stéphane Janssen in honor of the Museum's 50th Anniversary

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(Blue Reminding) (Recordatorio azul)

Josef Albers, German, American, 1888 - 1976, 1965, print, silkscreen, Gift of Mr. and Mrs. Orme Lewis

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#209

Victor Vasarely, French, Hungarian, 1908 - 1997, not dated, print, silkscreen, Gift of Mr. and Mrs. Orme Lewis

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#221 – Carmi

Victor Vasarely, French, Hungarian, 1908 - 1997, not dated, print, silkscreen, Gift of Mr. and Mrs. Orme Lewis

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#221 – Maander

Victor Vasarely, French, Hungarian, 1908 - 1997, not dated, print, silkscreen, Gift of Mr. and Mrs. Orme Lewis

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05-01-07

Jun Kaneko, Japanese, born 1942, 2005, sculpture, glazed ceramic, Museum purchase with funds provided by Contemporary Forum (Artpick 2006)

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26B

Paul Reed, American, 1919 - 2015, 1964, painting, polymer on canvas, Gift of Mr. William Bendig

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EXHIBITIONS

On view for a limited time, exhibitions present art from across the centuries and the globe, from iconic fashion to Old Master paintings, contemporary photography to historical objects of Asia.

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COLLECTIONS

Featuring more than 20,000 objects, the collection spans the globe, bringing the world to our city, and our city to the world.

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ARIZONA ARTIST AWARDS

Since 1986, Phoenix Art Museum has awarded more than $350,000 to over 200 Arizona-based artists through two annual artist awards opportunities.

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