PHILADELPHIA, PA.- The Pennsylvania Academy of the Fine Arts is welcoming this summer's Democratic National Convention in Philadelphia with a special exhibition, Happiness, Liberty, Life?: American Art and Politics, on view June 30 - September 18, 2016.
From the signing of the Declaration of Independence in the summer of 1776 to the arrival of the Democratic National Convention in July of 2016, the City of Brotherly Love has been at the epicenter of American politics. Featuring over 100 works, Happiness, Liberty, Life? explores themes of humor, protest, and portraiture in American art and politics from the 18th century to the present day.
"The issues raised during this contentious election year connect to a long heritage of political discord and imagery," says David R. Brigham, PAFA President and CEO. "This exhibition draws attention to the icons and issues of importance to artists throughout the great American experiment."
The organizing concepts which structure the exhibition include the Cult of Presidential Personality; Red, White, and Blue; and Forming a More Perfect Union.
A central nucleus of the exhibition, the "Wall of Washington," offers a rare look at over 25 representations of George and Martha Washington from idealized views of George's childhood days to the founding father's sepulcher at Mount Vernon.
"In looking at these images together, who the 'real' Washington is becomes a complex question," notes Anna Marley, Curator of Historical American Art.
Massive characters of George and Martha Washington, Thomas Jefferson, and Benjamin Franklin from Red Grooms' Philadelphia Cornucopia installation inhabit PAFA's 7,000-square-foot Fisher Brooks Gallery.
Created for the citywide celebration of Philadelphia’s 300th anniversary in 1982, Philadelphia Cornucopia was intended to highlight and pay tribute to the city’s rich political, cultural and architectural history. The installation was moved to and stored in various locations between its last public appearance at 30th Street Station in 1987 and 2010, when it was accessioned by PAFA. A team of conservators has finished the extensive cleaning and repair of Philadelphia Cornucopia in order for the work to be experienced by visitors to the Happiness, Liberty, Life? exhibition.
Taken separately and as a whole, all of the works on view address American artists' often explosive engagement with the political process. Artists include Julius Bloch, Elizabeth Catlett, Colin Campbell Cooper, Sue Coe, Chitra Ganesh, Jenny Holzer, Jacob Lawrence, Roy Lichtenstein, Robert Motherwell, Alice Neel, Rembrandt Peale, Jaune Quick-to-See Smith, Faith Ringgold, William Sartain, Augustus Saint-Gaudens, Gilbert Stuart, Kara Walker, Andrew Wyeth, and many others.
"The work opens a dialogue about identity, freedom and the power of symbols," says Jodi Throckmorton, Curator of Contemporary Art.
Happiness, Liberty, Life? -- a tongue-in-cheek reversal of "life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness" -- encourages the viewer to question the politics of representation in American art.
