The Art of China’s Cultural Revolution 
June 27–October 11

During China’s Great Proletarian Cultural Revolution of 1966–1976, artists were strictly limited to producing works that would serve political and propaganda purposes in the promotion of revolutionary fervor and the cult of Chairman Mao and his thought. Paintings, posters, prints, and political buttons provide a glimpse into the art of this tumultuous period, its origins, and the lingering effects in the works of contemporary Chinese artists who lived through it. This exhibition is held in conjunction with the New York Conference on Asian Studies, which will take place at Cornell on October 9–10.

Paper Treasures: Gifts from Alumni 
April 18–July 5

This year’s Reunion classes have been particularly influential on the development and strengthening  of the Johnson Museum's comprehensive collection of modern and contemporary works on paper. From the recent gift of a superb 1915 Picasso watercolor to a very large, important drawing by Hyman Bloom, from iconic photographs by Aaron Siskind to contemporary work by Cao Fei, these collectors have all made an impact on how art from our collection will be taught at Cornell for generations to come.

Contemporary Art from the Barron Collection 
April 4–July 5

Nora Lee (Smokler) Barron, Class of 1959, and her husband Guy have continued the Barron family tradition of supporting artists of their time. It was the visionary idea of collector Florence Barron, Guy's mother, to commission Andy Warhol to paint his first self-portrait in late 1963. Her passion to find emerging artists and commission work from them is evident in Nora and Guy Barron's collection. The couple has collaborated since the 1990s with a number of well-known contemporary artists to produce limited-edition holograms. This exhibition includes highlights from their collection, including work by Warhol, Chuck Close, Malcolm Morley, Jasper Johns, Roy Lichtenstein, Cy Twombly, Lucio Fontana, and many others.

Merrill Shatzman 
April 4–July 5

Shatzman has taught studio art at Duke University for many years and creates large, luminous black-and-white woodcuts that accentuate language and landscape. In addition, some of her works take on a three-dimensional aspect as they build up layer by layer to create relief constructions. With influences from Middle Eastern, Far Eastern, and Mesoamerican writing systems, Shatzman's intricate compositions are ingeniously conceived, creating a magical, mazelike effect.

Theyyam Rituals of Kerala: Photographs by Daniel Nadler 
April 4–July 5

In the south Indian state of Kerala, the worship of theyyams (local deities) represents a regional form of popular Hinduism featuring theyyattam, literally “god-dance.” Incorporating aspects of indigenous animism, the theyyam rituals center on spirit possession and are performed by men of particular castes traditionally considered lowest in the social order. In a highly ceremonial act of putting on elaborate makeup and costume, the performer literally becomes the god, incarnating its divine power and consciousness to interact directly with devotees. This selection of photographs by Daniel Nadler, Class of 1954, captures the drama, energy, and artistry of several theyyam rituals.

After Hiroshige: A Century of Modern Japanese Prints 
March 28–July 26

Featuring the work of such artists as Kawase Hasui and Hiroshi Yoshida, this exhibition focuses on the transformation of the nineteeth-century ukiyo-e woodblock print tradition into the shin hanga and sosaku hanga prints of the twentieth century.

Frank Lloyd Wright Art Glass from the Martin House
Ongoing

This installation, in the Museum’s American art galleries on our second floor, brings one of Wright’s famous “Tree of Life” windows to Cornell. On loan from the Darwin D. Martin House, an important 1905 Wright house in Buffalo, this window is presented in tandem with the Museum’s own art glass casements from the Martin House. This pairing of art glass panels designed for different areas of the house shows how Wright redefined the boundary between interior and exterior space and explores Wright’s revolutionary use of color and light in architecture.