2012 From the Vault- Recent Acquisitions

Warhol and the Safeco Collection

Exhibition Dates: January 9 – March 31, 2012
Reception: Thursday, January 19, 6 pm, Museum of Art Gallery (Canceled Due to Weather)

The Museum of Art/WSU is thrilled to present two historic and unprecedented gifts to the permanent collection in one exhibition: photographs by Andy Warhol and Northwest art from the Safeco Collection.

Andy Warhol photographs:
In 2008, the Museum of Art received a major donation from the Andy Warhol Foundation of 150 photographs. Warhol is one of a handful of artist who defined art in the 20th Century and re-invented the role of the artist. Understanding the iconic role of images in 1960’s America, he foresaw the pervasive impact of popular culture, media and our fascination with celebrity. The gift of 150 Polaroids and silver print photographs provides a unique insight into Warhol’s process, life and work.

Art from the Safeco Collection:
In 2011, the museum received 39 works of art by prominent Northwest artists from the Safeco Art Collection, the oldest and most renowned corporate collection of the Northwest art. The gift was part of a larger donation to the Washington Art Consortium, a group of seven Washington state museums, of which the Museum of Art/WSU is one. With this gift the WSU permanent collection has instantly expanded in both quantity and quality, with signature examples of work by such well-respected artists as Jacob Lawrence, Dale Chihuly, Gerald Tsutukawa, Joey Kirkpatrick and Flora Mace, Robert Sperry and Roger Shimomura.