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Cecilia Vicuna, ‘Quipu del Exterminio / Extermination Quipu,’ 2022. Wool, natural plant fibers, horse hair, metal, wood, seashells, nutshells, seeds, bone, clay, plaster, plastic and pastel, dimensions variable. Solomon R. Guggenheim Museum, New York, purchased with funds contributed by the Latin American Circle and through prior gifts of Sibyl H. Edwards, Thomas Messer, and Mr. and Mrs. Allan D. Emil 2022.31. © Cecilia Vicuna. Photo credit: David Heald © Solomon R. Guggenheim Foundation.

Guggenheim acquired 60+ contemporary artworks in 2022

Cecilia Vicuna, ‘Quipu del Exterminio / Extermination Quipu,’ 2022. Wool, natural plant fibers, horse hair, metal, wood, seashells, nutshells, seeds, bone, clay, plaster, plastic and pastel, dimensions variable. Solomon R. Guggenheim Museum, New York, purchased with funds contributed by the Latin American Circle and through prior gifts of Sibyl H. Edwards, Thomas Messer, and Mr. and Mrs. Allan D. Emil 2022.31. © Cecilia Vicuna. Photo credit: David Heald © Solomon R. Guggenheim Foundation.
Cecilia Vicuna, ‘Quipu del Exterminio / Extermination Quipu,’ 2022. Wool, natural plant fibers, horse hair, metal, wood, seashells, nutshells, seeds, bone, clay, plaster, plastic and pastel, dimensions variable. Solomon R. Guggenheim Museum, New York, purchased with funds contributed by the Latin American Circle and through prior gifts of Sibyl H. Edwards, Thomas Messer, and Mr. and Mrs. Allan D. Emil 2022.31. © Cecilia Vicuna. Photo credit: David Heald © Solomon R. Guggenheim Foundation.

NEW YORK — In 2022 the Guggenheim acquired more than 60 works by more than 40 artists, of whom 75% are new to its collection. The works span the 1960s to the present day and augment the museum’s holdings of some of the world’s most influential artists. Furthermore, the demographic composition of the group amplifies the institution’s commitments to equitably diversify its acquisitions and to collect from both an innovative and historic point of view.

From a painted diptych by Lee Lozano (1966), a landmark installation by Kazuko Miyamoto (1973), to a textured piece (1974-75) by Howardena Pindell, the museum has strengthened its historic holdings by established women artists. Highlights include works by artists who have recently presented solo shows at the Guggenheim: Etel Adnan’s in the Syrian Desert (circa 1960), Gillian Wearing’s I’d Like to Teach the World to Sing (1995), and Cecilia Vicuna’s Quipu del Exterminio / Extermination Quipu (2022), a site-specific installation that debuted in the exhibition Cecilia Vicuna: Spin Spin Triangulene in May 2022.

Julia Weist, ‘Should(n’t),’ 2020. Archival pigment print, 30 by 40in. (76.2 by 101.6cm), edition 2/3. Solomon R. Guggenheim Museum, New York, gift, Seth Stolbun and the Stolbun Collection LLC, in collaboration with the artist, in honor of Mierle Laderman Ukeles 2022.27. © Julia Weist. Photo credit: Ariel Ione Williams © Solomon R. Guggenheim Foundation.
Julia Weist, ‘Should(n’t),’ 2020. Archival pigment print, 30 by 40in. (76.2 by 101.6cm), edition 2/3. Solomon R. Guggenheim Museum, New York, gift, Seth Stolbun and the Stolbun Collection LLC, in collaboration with the artist, in honor of Mierle Laderman Ukeles 2022.27. © Julia Weist. Photo credit: Ariel Ione Williams © Solomon R. Guggenheim Foundation.

In keeping with the institution’s commitments, approximately 80% of the works in the past year’s acquisition list were created by members of communities previously underrepresented in the museum’s collection. Works by young and established artists such as Lauren Halsey, Cara Romero, and Wendy Red Star entered the collection for the first time. Anthony Akinbola and Farah Al Qasimi will notably enrich the Guggenheim’s group of international artists.

Robert Smithson, ‘The Scorpion Palace,’ 1961. Oil on canvas, 37 by 53 by 1 1/4in. (94 by 134.6cm). Solomon R. Guggenheim Museum, New York, gift, Karen LaGatta 2022.55. © Holt/Smithson Foundation / Licensed by VAGA at Artists Rights Society (ARS), NY. Photo credit: Ariel Ione Williams © Solomon R. Guggenheim Foundation.
Robert Smithson, ‘The Scorpion Palace,’ 1961. Oil on canvas, 37 by 53 by 1 1/4in. (94 by 134.6cm). Solomon R. Guggenheim Museum, New York, gift, Karen LaGatta 2022.55. © Holt/Smithson Foundation / Licensed by VAGA at Artists Rights Society (ARS), NY. Photo credit: Ariel Ione Williams © Solomon R. Guggenheim Foundation.

Diverse in mediums, the acquisitions range from sculpture and painting to video, works on paper, and, in particular depth, photography. Several new additions from the 1960s and 70s deepen the museum’s holdings from the late 20th century, such as three works by minimalist artist Fred Sandback, two by pioneering land artist Robert Smithson, and Spoke (Jammer) (1976), an important wall-based sculpture from Robert Rauschenberg’s oeuvre.

Virginia Jaramillo, ‘Birth of Venus,’ 1975. Acrylic on canvas, 90 by 66in. (228.6 by 167.6cm). Solomon R. Guggenheim Museum, New York, purchased with funds contributed by the Green Family Art Foundation 2022.2. © Virginia Jaramillo. Photo credit: Ariel Ione Williams © Solomon R. Guggenheim Foundation.
Virginia Jaramillo, ‘Birth of Venus,’ 1975. Acrylic on canvas, 90 by 66in. (228.6 by 167.6cm). Solomon R. Guggenheim Museum, New York, purchased with funds contributed by the Green Family Art Foundation 2022.2. © Virginia Jaramillo. Photo credit: Ariel Ione Williams © Solomon R. Guggenheim Foundation.

These acquisitions were funded in large part by the museum’s several acquisition committees, including the International Director’s Council, Asian Art Circle, Latin American Circle, Photography Council, Middle Eastern Circle, and Young Collectors Council, to ensure selections embraced a range of geographies, disciplines, timelines and cultural backgrounds.

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