OMAHA, NE.- Bemis Center for Contemporary Arts announced the opening of two thought-provoking exhibitions, Carmen Winant: The last safe abortion and Synchronicities: Intersecting Figuration with Abstraction, both set to debut on January 18, 2025. The exhibitions will run concurrently through May 4, 2025, showcasing a diverse range of artistic practices that inspire and engage audiences on multiple levels.

Carmen Winant: The last safe abortion

Curated by Rachel Adams, Chief Curator and Director of Programs at Bemis Center, and organized by the Minneapolis Institute of Art, The last safe abortion at Bemis is the latest iteration of artist Carmen Winant’s acclaimed exhibition and identically titled photo book. Previous iterations were featured at the Minneapolis Institute of Art and the Whitney Museum of American Art in 2023 and 2024 respectively, yielding coverage in outlets such as The New York Times, Vanity Fair, and Hyperallergic. This exhibition continues Winant’s exploration of women’s health clinics and abortion providers, with a particular focus on the Midwest.

Drawing on thousands of historical photographs from various archives and recent images captured by Winant, the exhibition focuses on the everyday, behind-the-scenes work of abortion providers and healthcare staff. From answering phones and sterilizing equipment to conducting training sessions and scheduling appointments, Winant’s assemblages of photographs — displayed in archival cases, bulletin board-style installations, and vast wall grids — offer a tender yet powerful narrative that celebrates the compassion and commitment of healthcare workers.

The last safe abortion was originated by the Minneapolis Institute of Art and curated by Casey Riley, Chair, Global Contemporary Art and Curator of Photography & New Media.

Synchronicities: Intersecting Figuration with Abstraction

Synchronicities: Intersecting Figuration with Abstraction is a dynamic group exhibition featuring artists Leia Genis, Sheree Hovsepian, Liz McCarthy, Laura Hart Newlon, Sondra Perry, Amy Pleasant, Christina Quarles, Heather Rasmussen, and Carolyn Salas. Through diverse media — ranging from sculpture and photography to painting and digital works — Synchronicities underlines how abstraction and figuration are not oppositional concepts, but instead serve as complementary modes of expression. While figuration can ground abstract concepts in the familiar, abstraction can serve as a powerful tool for reinterpreting the body. Presented together, this visual journey enriches and expands our understanding of the vast human experience.

Synchronicities is also curated by Rachel Adams, Chief Curator and Director of Programs at Bemis Center, who invites viewers to explore the layers of meaning within the featured works. “Both exhibitions are intended to spark a dialogue about identity, representation, and the body,” said Adams. “While Winant’s work highlights the labor behind healthcare and bodily autonomy, the artists in Synchronicities highlight how the body can be abstracted in unexpected ways. These exhibitions — along with our public programs — are a testament to Bemis Center’s dedication to providing a platform for bold and innovative artistic expression, and a space where artists and audiences can come together to explore new ideas and diverse perspectives.”