In 1934, the Walters Art Museum opened its doors to the public with a foundational collection of 22,000 objects. Over 90 years, the Walters has continued to acquire new art while revisiting the works in the historic collection with fresh eyes. Now, the museum’s distinctive collection has grown to more than 36,000 works spanning seven millennia of history from locations and cultures around the world.
On view from May 4, Reflect & Remix: Art Inspiring Artists explores the visual and material resonances between works of art separated by time in the Walters collection. Artworks are arranged to present an active conversation between the works about their subjects, materials, and the artists who created them. Featuring more than 60 objects from each of the museum’s collection areas, the exhibition includes recent acquisitions as well as many historic pieces which have previously not been on view. Visitors will see glass, enamel, mosaics, ceramics, paintings, manuscripts, printed works, calligraphy, metalwork, and sculptures in stone and bronze presented in a way that encourages viewers to explore the links between artworks.
Some objects speak to the expansion of earlier techniques and materials to create something new. Other works speak to the artistic process, demonstrating that some artists found inspiration in historic art and created something new through their imagination and ingenuity.
Works by contemporary artists will also be on view, including Kehinde Wiley, Herb Massie, Jessy DeSantis, and Roberto Lugo. These artists draw upon their heritage and artistic lineage to create artworks that both resonate with the past while reflecting their own present moment.