Ken Price, Untitled (From the Plain of Smokes portfolio), 1981, serigraph, 15 x 12 in. Collection of the New Mexico Museum of Art. Gift of Richard Lampert, 1991 (1991.78.1d). © Ken Price Estate.Courtesy/NMMA

New Mexico Museum of Art News:

SANTA FE – The New Mexico Museum of Art has announced “The Plain of Smokes”, an exhibition showcasing 20 prints from the acclaimed illustrated poetry book of the same name. The exhibition opens Saturday, Dec. 14, 2024, and will remain on view until June 29, 2025.

“We are thrilled to bring ‘The Plain of Smokes’ to the New Mexico Museum of Art,” Executive Director Dr. Mark White said. “This exhibition not only highlights the remarkable partnership between Harvey Mudd and Ken Price but also offers our visitors an exploration of place, memory and artistic dialogue. It’s a testament to the enduring power of collaboration in art.”

In the late 1970s, poet and environmental activist Harvey Mudd teamed up with “surfer-artist” and noted ceramist Ken Price in Taos to create a vivid tribute to their shared Los Angeles roots. Published by Arabesque Books in 1981, “The Plain of Smokes” is a 75-page book of poetry by Mudd with bold, provocative illustrations by Price. The collaboration is an evocative neo-noir portrayal of Los Angeles, interpreted through the artists’ unique perspectives from the high desert of northern New Mexico.

Describing the creative process, Mudd called it the “true definition of collaboration”, with each artist inspiring the other’s work. The resulting collection captures a poignant, biting dialogue between text and visuals, offering an unparalleled perspective on the city that shaped them.

“This exhibition is a rare opportunity to witness the profound interplay of poetry and visual art,” Curator  Katie Doyle said. “Mudd and Price captured the essence of Los Angeles in a way that is both timeless and uniquely personal, creating a body of work that resonates far beyond the original context.”

The New Mexico Museum of Art is privileged to own the 62nd edition of 150 copies of “The Plain of Smokes” printed by SOMA Fine Art Press in San Francisco, under the direction of master printer Gary Lichtenstein. Visitors to the exhibition will have the rare opportunity to experience these extraordinary prints, which represent the profound intersection of poetry and visual art.

The museum invites art lovers, poetry enthusiasts and those curious about the cultural dialogue between place and memory to explore this compelling exhibition.

 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.