In upcoming exhibitions “Lux Et Veritas” and “Keith Haring and Alechinsky,” the NSU Art Museum will display artwork from artists who have influenced the trajectory of the art industry on an exponential level.
Bonnie Clearwater, director and chief curator at the NSU Art Museum, said that it is a unique privilege that Florida will have the opportunity to see artwork from artists such as these from both upcoming exhibits.
“This opportunity has brought artworks Florida wouldn’t normally get to see and that is a part of what we do at this museum,” Clearwater said.
On Feb. 27, the “Keith Haring and Alechinsky” exhibition will be displayed presenting the works of Keith Haring, one of the most influential artists of the 20th century. In addition, the exhibition will demonstrate the many artistic influences Haring had in his life with Pierre Alechinsky being his greatest artistic inspiration within the CoBrA movement. CoBrA, an acronym for Copenhagen, Brussels and Amsterdam, signifies the cities its members originated from. The avant-garde movement is known for their post-war works distinguished by bold uses of color, primitive expression and graffiti.
“[The NSU Art Museum] contains the largest collection of avant-garde European post-war movement known as CoBrA in the United States and we are constantly using our collection for new research and presentation,” Clearwater added.
The exhibition will also implement some of the recurring themes Haring devoted himself and his work to during his lifetime. These issues include those of consumerism, environmental activism, human rights and AIDS advocacy.
Further, the NSU Art Museum will welcome the “Lux Et Veritas” exhibition on display April 3. This exhibition will highlight the transformative period of contemporary art exemplified by the generation of artists who attended Yale School of Art graduate program from the years 2000 through 2010.
The title “Lux Et Veritas” gets its name from Yale’s motto, the Latin translation for “light and truth.” This phrase describes the desire to be enlightened through knowledge and the process of education. This mantra is the quintessential embodiment of what these artists worked to accomplish during this time period.
Throughout this movement, they altered the course of contemporary art, while also manufacturing a supportive space for like-minded artists from similar backgrounds that did not exist before. Their unity and success catapulted an open dialogue about the ongoing lack of representation within the university’s art program and the art industry altogether.
Among these artists is Kehinde Wiley, who can be recognized for painting former President Barack Obama’s portrait and Titus Kaphar who was featured on the Times Magazine cover for a portrait based on the protests surrounding George Floyd’s death.
NSU students have the convenience of taking the downtown shuttle express to the museum every Saturday and Sunday.
“We want all students and faculty to know they are members of our museum,” Clearwater said.
The museum’s user-friendly website gives students and faculty the option to activate a free membership that includes various benefits the museum has to offer. Clearwater also made sure to mention that students interested in working in the art industry or in the museum in general can apply to available positions on their website.
The NSU Art Museum is located at 1 E Las Olas Blvd, Fort Lauderdale, FL 33301.
