Celia D. Rumsey, Monoprint #104, monoprint, 17 1/2 × 23 5/8 in. Collection of the New Mexico Museum of Art.  Gift of the Celia D. Rumsey Trust, 2013 (2013.40.22)  © New Mexico Museum of Art. Photo by Kevin Beltran

Frederick Hammersley, Clout, 1988, lithograph, 7 1/2 x 7 1/2 in. Collection of the New Mexico Museum of Art. Gift of Timothy App, 1990 (1990.2.3). © New Mexico Museum of Art. Photo by Kevin Beltran

NMDCA News:

SANTA FE – New Mexico Museum of Art presents Line by Line, an exhibition that delves into a century of innovative and energetic approaches to one of art’s most ancient and foundational elements: the line.

This captivating exhibition, which opens in two sections, will showcase the dynamic language of line through the works of more than 70 artists from the 1920s to present day.

Spanning a diverse range of mediums—including painting, weaving, prints, photography, and sculpture—the art is thoughtfully organized into evocative categories such as “A Line Alone”, “Land Lines” and “Unaligned”. Visitors will have the opportunity to immerse themselves in the extraordinary variety of linework, from single-line pieces to those featuring intricate grids, scrawls, stripes and swirls.

“Line as a subject itself, rather than as a tool for representing something else, is a surprisingly rich subject that gives us an opportunity to show art from the collection in new juxtapositions that transcend style, culture, or process,” said Katherine Ware, exhibition curator.

The exhibition highlights work by some of the twentieth century’s most acclaimed artists, including Berenice Abbott, Carl Andre, Harry Callahan, Sol LeWitt, Robert Motherwell, Frank Stella, Eric Tillinghast, Richard Tuttle, and Brett Weston. It also prominently features artists from New Mexico, such as Harmony Hammond, Garo Antreasian, Frederick Hammersley, William Metcalf, Edward Ranney, Ramona Sakiestewa and Sam Scott, among others. Line by Line offers a through line across various artistic and theoretical movements, from abstract expressionism and minimalism to conceptual art and feminism.

“We are thrilled to present Line by Line, an exhibition that illuminates the multifaceted and dynamic use of the line throughout modern and contemporary art,” Executive Director Dr. Mark White said. “This exhibition not only showcases a diverse range of artistic approaches and mediums but also provides an opportunity for visitors to experience the profound ways in which a simple line can convey complexity, emotion, and meaning. We are proud to bring together such a remarkable collection of works and to offer our community a fresh perspective on this elemental aspect of art.”

The first section of Line by Line opened July 6. The second section will open Oct. 5, 2024. Both sections will be on display at New Mexico Museum of Art’s historic location on the Plaza, with the exhibition running through Feb. 9, 2025. 

About The New Mexico Museum of Art:

The New Mexico Museum of Art is a division of the Department of Cultural Affairs. Programs and exhibits are supported by the Museum of New Mexico Foundation and its donors. The mission of the Museum of Art is to create authentic experiences that foster a deeper understanding and enjoyment of art throughout our state. With a collection of more than 20,000 pieces of work, the museum brings the art of the world to New Mexico and the art of New Mexico to the world. 

Johnnie Winona Ross, San Solomon Seeps 05, 2006, burnished acrylic and oil on linen, 24 × 22 1/2 × 1 3/4 in. Collection of the New Mexico Museum of Art. Museum purchase with funds from the Friends of Contemporary Art, 2007 (2007.11). © Johnnie Winona Ross. Photo by Addison Doty