Body Language

Installation view of Body Language
Photo: Adam Reich

Lorna Simpson
15 Mouths, 2002
Museum purchase with funds provided by the Acquisition Committee 02.10.9

Installation view of Body Language
Photo: Adam Reich

Paul Mpagi Sepuya
Studio, July 12 (Vita, Harold, Violet, Virginia, Jack, Patricia and Patti), 2010
ed. of 3 + 1 AP
Collection Elizabeth Redleaf, Minneapolis, MN

Charles Gaines
String Theory: Romare Bearden, 2011
The Studio Museum in Harlem; Gift of the artist 12.7.1

Bruce Talamon
David Hammons, Slausson Studio, 1974
Courtesy Roberts & Tilton, Culver City, CA
Promised Gift of Ruthard C. Murphy

Leslie Hewitt
Riffs on Real Time (1 of 10), 2004
Gift of Martin and Rebecca Eisenberg, Scarsdale, New York 11.11.2

Tim Rollins and K.O.S. (Kids of Survival)
The Temptation of St. Anthony (detail), 1989
Gift of Jean-Christophe Castelli 03.29.4
Photo: Marc Bernier

Installation view of Body Language
Photo: Adam Reich

Lorna Simpson
15 Mouths, 2002
Museum purchase with funds provided by the Acquisition Committee 02.10.9

Installation view of Body Language
Photo: Adam Reich

Paul Mpagi Sepuya
Studio, July 12 (Vita, Harold, Violet, Virginia, Jack, Patricia and Patti), 2010
ed. of 3 + 1 AP
Collection Elizabeth Redleaf, Minneapolis, MN

Charles Gaines
String Theory: Romare Bearden, 2011
The Studio Museum in Harlem; Gift of the artist 12.7.1

Bruce Talamon
David Hammons, Slausson Studio, 1974
Courtesy Roberts & Tilton, Culver City, CA
Promised Gift of Ruthard C. Murphy

Leslie Hewitt
Riffs on Real Time (1 of 10), 2004
Gift of Martin and Rebecca Eisenberg, Scarsdale, New York 11.11.2

Tim Rollins and K.O.S. (Kids of Survival)
The Temptation of St. Anthony (detail), 1989
Gift of Jean-Christophe Castelli 03.29.4
Photo: Marc Bernier

Body Language explores the body and written or verbal expression. Comprised mostly of works from the Studio Museum’s permanent collection, the exhibition shows how artists use language to evoke relationships to bodies, including those of viewers, using the human form to communicate ideas much as words might. Some of the artists investigate the language of nonverbal communication, while others inscribe, paint or gesture onto the page. Other works depict figures to purposefully elicit a “read”—how might audiences interpret a portrait differently than the artist’s (or author’s) intention? Body Language also illustrates the international scope of the Museum’s collection, with work by Deborah Grant, Paul Mpagi Sepuya, Valerie Piraino, Malick Sidibé, Tavares Strachan, Barthélémy Toguo, among others.

Body Language is organized by Abbe Schriber, Curatorial Assistant.