St. Louis Art Museum: The Contemporary Galleries

 The closest and therefore the most obvious path forward after leaving the special exhibition was to tour the adjacent contemporary galleries.  They were divided into rooms with single works by various, mostly non-American Artists, and focus rooms with works by two specific artists: Jaune Quick-to-See Smith, and Crystal Z. Campbell (both women).  There was one other gallery devoted to works by German artists of the 1980's--very esoteric in a way, yet a pivotal place and time in the evolution of avant garde contemporary art.  There were also works by some very standard folks like: Dan Flavin, Morris Louis, Roy Liechtenstein, Frank Stella, and Grace Hartigen among others.

What I LOVE about visiting regional Museums of Art of the caliber of St. Louis, is discovering what sings in their collections and exhibitions.  It's often a chance to meet new artists that are one step away from the current cannon being lauded and exploited in places like New York, Chicago, and Washington DC.  Here are some gallery views and a few individual works that caught my fancy.  I'm presenting them in the order that I encountered them.  

"Irawo II", 2023

Wole Lagunji, 1966 - 

Nigerian

"Untitled (Quiet Strength VI)," 2019

Dyani White Hawk, 1976 - 

Native American (Sicangu Lakota)

"Untitled (Quiet Strength VI)"  DETAIL

"Untitled 4," 2020

Elias Sime, 1968 - 

Ethiopian

"Untitled 4" DETAIL

Various works by Crystal Z. Campbell

"Burning Rods," 1984 - 87

Anselm Kiefer, 1945 - 

German

"Olberg," 1986

Gerhard Richter, 1932 - 

German

"State Names Map: Cahokia," 2023

Jaune Quick-to-See Smith, 1940 - 

Native American (Salish & Kootenai)

"Untitled," 1980

Jaune Quick-to-See Smith, 1940 - 

Native American (Salish & Kootenai)

Various works by Crystal Z. Campbell

Displayed in a non-contiguous Gallery from her earlier works.

A beautiful window with a view of the sculpture garden and an adjacent newer wing with offices, gift shop, cafe, classrooms, auditorium, studios, etc.