Through November 2
The Met
Experience the groundbreaking artistry of Lorna Simpson, a New York-based artist renowned for her pioneering conceptual photography since the early 1990s. Lorna Simpson: Source Notes marks the first comprehensive exhibition focusing entirely on her painting practice, showcasing over 30 significant works that highlight a vital phase in her career spanning the last decade.
Simpson’s work critically explores powerful themes of gender, race, identity, representation, and history. This exhibition presents a thoughtfully curated selection of major paintings, including pieces from her acclaimed Venice Biennale debut in 2015 and her esteemed Special Characters series. Accompanied by recent sculptures and collages, the exhibition reveals how Simpson’s practice has evolved, deepening her investigation into how imagery is constructed and perceived.
A hallmark of Simpson’s work is her innovative use of found imagery and archival materials, such as vintage Ebony and Jet magazines—iconic sources within contemporary American culture—as well as photographs from the Associated Press and Library of Congress archives. She incorporates these “source notes” into complex screen-printed collages layered with washes of ink and acrylic on diverse surfaces like fiberglass, wood, or Claybord. These compositions create a dynamic interplay between figuration and abstraction, where bodies appear and dissipate, emerging from inky depths or melting into ephemeral landscapes.
Through this evocative visual language, Simpson blurs boundaries and generates compelling narratives. Her works invite viewers to reconsider traditional representations and histories, challenging perspectives with poetic ambiguity and strength.
This significant exhibition is held at The Met Fifth Avenue, providing an exceptional opportunity to engage deeply with Simpson’s thought-provoking oeuvre. The show is supported by the Ford Foundation and other notable patrons, underscoring its cultural importance.
For an enriching encounter with contemporary art that interrogates identity and representation, Lorna Simpson: Source Notes is a must-see exhibition. You can explore more details and plan your visit through the official Met Museum page linked above.
