Featured Images: Left to right, Bruce Carter (American, 1930-2016), Broken Promise from the series Wounded Knee, 1970, woodcut. Gift of J. I. and Anna Rodale, 1970. (1970.4.3);  American, Shirtwaist blouse, 1905-11, cotton, insertion lace, embroidery. Transferred from American Textile History Museum, Gift of Marion Hall, 2017; Toshiko Takaezu (American, 1922-2011), Closed Form from Ocean Edge series, 1993, glazed porcelain. Allentown Art Museum, purchase from the Edwin Schadt Trust, 1996.

Revolutionary clothing, activist prints & ceramics that challenged the status quo 

Allentown, Pa. – The Allentown Art Museum formally opens a trio of new exhibitions for fall this weekend. All three showcase works from the Museum’s permanent collection, and all address the theme of challenging the status quo, from changing gender roles to championing social causes to creating fresh artistic traditions.

Saturday, October 31, is Preview Day for Museum members, and the opening day for the public is Sunday, November 1. Admission is free on Sunday thanks to Museum sponsors. Visitors are encouraged to reserve a timed ticket on the Museum’s website.

 

New Century, New Woman

November 1, 2020 through January 24, 2021

On the 100th anniversary of women’s suffrage, clothing and accessories from 1890 to 1920 offer historical perspective on issues such as gender roles, fashion, and professional self presentation that continue to resonate to this day. Included are vintage dresses donated to the Museum by Allentown collector Ellie Laubner, a published author on fashions of the 1920s and 1930s.

https://www.allentownartmuseum.org/exhibitions/new-century-new-woman/

 

Prints & Protest, 1960-1970

Through January 24, 2021

Looking back at a more recent era of activism, these powerful works on paper show  how artists responded to causes such as the Civil Rights and antiwar movements to document injustice and call for political change—a social stance being echoed by artists and nonartists alike today. On display are prints by pop artist Larry Rivers, cartoonish caricatures by May Stevens, a series by Bruce Carter that references the 1968 incident at My Lai, and declarations about the power of love by artist and nun Corita Kent.

https://www.allentownartmuseum.org/exhibitions/prints-and-protest-1960-1970/

 

Intuition & Reflection: The Ceramics of Toshiko Takaezu

Through January 2022

Porcelain vessels completely sealed except for a tiny pinhole at the top invite visitors to change their mindsets and ponder the poetry of form. In addition to these signature creations by the artist, who settled later in life in Hunterdon County, NJ, other works on view include tea bowls, a two-spouted vessel from the 1950s, and a large bullet-shaped glazed porcelain.

https://www.allentownartmuseum.org/exhibitions/intuition-reflection-the-ceramics-of-toshiko- takaezu/

 

ABOUT THE ALLENTOWN ART MUSEUM

The Allentown Art Museum is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization whose mission is to use the arts and culture as a catalyst to drive interaction, experimentation, and social change for everyone. By collecting, preserving, studying, exhibiting, interpreting, and teaching visual art, the Museum enlightens, engages, energizes, and empowers people—transforming the community one person and one idea at a time. For more information please visit AllentownArtMuseum.org.

Information and image provided to TVL by:
Chris Potash
Manager of Marketing and Public Relations
Allentown Art Museum

 

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