Legendary Voice: Art for the Next Century
On View September 7, 2024 - February 16, 2025
A celebration of the KIA centennial and its community, Legendary Voices: Art for the Next Century showcases the diverse artistic voices and people who have contributed to American culture and society over the past 165 years. T he exhibition features paintings and sculptures by 111 artists in 50 groupings, including our newest acquisitions, never-before-seen gifts, community favorites, and artworks not displayed at the KIA in decades. Presented across four themes, Mining Histories, Portraiture Practices: Past and Present, Innovations in American Art, and Scenes from American Life, each theme highlights the distinctiveness of the KIA’s collection. Mining Histories examines how artists draw inspiration from and reflect on the past—whether that be techniques, subject matter or worldviews. Portraiture Practices: Past and Present highlights more than a century of evolutions in portraiture practices, while also underscoring the diverse approaches artists have used to capture the human form and spirit. Innovations in American Art reveals the experimental practices undertaken by artists during the second half of the 20th century, who contributed to fashioning a distinct voice for American Art. Scenes from American Life presents the diverse perspectives of varying artists to offer opportunities for reflection about our identities and the emotions inspired by the places where we live and work. Combined, the works in Legendary Voices emphasize the strengths of our collection while setting the stage for a bright and art-filled future at the KIA and in our community.
