ROCHESTER, NY.- The Memorial Art Gallery of the University of Rochester presents Anxious Objects: Willie Cole's Favorite Brands, on view through March 11, 2007. Fun, funky and provocative, Willie Cole's art explores identity, race relations, consumerism, the environment and other contemporary concerns. Bicycles, irons, hair dryers and high-heeled shoes are among the urban artifacts he transforms into powerful, iconic, "Africanized works." This nationally touring, mid-career retrospective features 31 assemblages, prints and mixed-media works created between 1988 and 2006. At MAG, the exhibition also includes a work that¹s not part of the original tour—a monumental chessboard from a private collection, with lawn jockey playing pieces.

This exhibition was organized by the Montclair Art Museum with support from the State of New Jersey, Department of Treasury; Agnes Gund and Daniel Shapiro; the Andy Warhol Foundation for the Visual Arts; Altria Group, Inc.; Ruth and William True; Merrill Lynch; the Cowles Charitable Trust; the New Jersey State Council on the Arts/Department of State, a Partner Agency of the National Endowment for the Arts; and by funds from the Judith Targan Endowment Fund for Museum Publications of the Montclair Art Museum.