FORT LAUDERDALE, FLA.- NSU Art Museum Fort Lauderdale announced that David Horvitz, Chairman of the museums board of governors, and artist Francie Bishop Good, his wife and fellow board member, have made a promised gift to the museum of 100 works from their highly regarded collection of contemporary art. With an emphasis on multi-cultural and women artists, the works date from 1978 to 2013, and fill a gap in the museums 6,000-work encyclopedic holdings. They will become an important educational resource for students and the community. Among the artists represented in the collection are: Cecily Brown, Tracey Emin, Teresita Fernandez, Nan Goldin, Barbara Kruger, Ana Mendieta, Catherine Opie, Cindy Sherman, Amy Sillman, Lorna Simpson, Kiki Smith, Mickalene Thomas, and Kara Walker.
The promised gift will be part of Realizing Potential: The Campaign for Nova Southeastern University, the largest philanthropic campaign in the universitys 52-year history and in the history of Broward County. $250 million will be raised through this campaign while another $300 million will come from sponsored research, service, and training programs.
NSU Art Museum will display approximately 70 of the newly acquired works in the exhibition Belief + Doubt: Selections from the Francie Bishop Good and David Horvitz Collection, on view from August 26, 2016 through January 22, 2017. The exhibitions title is inspired by one of the highlights of the collection, Barbara Krugers Untitled (Belief + Doubt = Sanity), 2008, a conceptual work referencing the philosophical nature of contemporary art and an underlying theme of the collection, which instills wonder in the viewer as it questions the foundations of beliefs and contemporary life.
Bonnie Clearwater, NSU Art Museum Director and Chief Curator says, "Francie and David are shining models for the community, and passionate and knowledgeable collectors who have again demonstrated their generosity and commitment to the museum and our mission. They have played an exemplary role in supporting artists by purchasing art early in their careers, exhibiting their work at their alternative space, Girls Club in Fort Lauderdale and supporting exhibitions and programs in art institutions throughout the region."
Clearwater also notes, "This is a transformative gift for the museum's extensive collection as it provides a comprehensive overview of contemporary art that includes numerous pivotal works of each artists career."
Among these works are Cindy Shermans Untitled Film Still #19, 2 early silhouette collages by Kara Walker, a painting by Mickalene Thomas, neon work by Tracey Emin, digital animation by Jennifer Steinkamp, a wall relief by Teresita Fernandez and a woven trompe loeil sculpture by Miami artist Frances Trombly, all of which will be on view in the NSU Art Museum exhibition. Among other artists the exhibition will feature artists: Ghada Amer, Louise Bourgeois, Sophie Calle, E.V. Day, Ann Hamilton, Wangechi Mutu, Shinique Smith, Carrie Mae Weems, and Sue Williams.