Crystal Bridges Museum of American Art recently announced that a rare, original print of the U.S. Constitution will be on display, in its newest exhibition and in conversation with works of art, providing diverse perspectives on the nation’s founding principles. We the People: The Radical Notion of Democracy, will be on view from Saturday July 2 to January 2, 2023, free to the public, and will include the debut of a new Mark Bradford work called, in which he shall be.
With only 11 copies of the Constitution known in the world, original prints of other founding and historical documents such as The Declaration of Independence, the Articles of Confederation, the proposed Bill of Rights and the Emancipation Proclamation will also be on view alongside art by influential and contemporary artists – including several works that are new to the Crystal Bridges collection by artists Shelley Niro, Roger Shimomura and Luis C. Garza.
Polly Nordstrand, Native American art curator, organized the works in the exhibition, including art works and historical paintings such as John Lee Douglas Mathies’s depiction of Seneca leader Red Jacket, and John Trumbull’s portrait of Alexander Hamilton. In addition to Civil Rights Movement-era works by Elizabeth Catlett and Jacob Lawrence, there are also recent acquisitions, advised by Nordstrand, that explore constitutional themes such as equality, freedom and justice. Four black-and-white prints – Boundless, Borders, Treaties and Unity – from Niro’s Borders series; a 2015 color lithograph by Shimomura portraying Gordon Hirabayashi, American Patriot; and four prints depicting the 1971 protest, La Marcha por la Justicia (We Will Not Be Intimidated), by Garza, a photojournalist, will be on display.
“This is a rare, must-see opportunity to experience such an inspiring and thought-provoking exhibition that speaks to Crystal Bridges’ mission to celebrate the American spirit through powerful art,” said Rod Bigelow, museum executive director and chief diversity and inclusion officer. “The strength of our collection has allowed us to put forward a dynamic exhibition that helps us see the ideals of the Constitution anew and envision ways to aspire to them.”
The original print of the Constitution is coming to Crystal Bridges following Ken Griffin’s purchase of the document last year. Board Chair Olivia Walton suggested partnering with Griffin, Citadel Founder and CEO, in bringing the document to Crystal Bridges first.
“I am thrilled to partner with Crystal Bridges to share the founding document of our democracy with visitors from across the country and abroad,” Griffin said. “People of all ages will have the opportunity to explore our Constitution, which ushered in the world’s most radical experiment in representative government at the time. I hope the experience will be enriching and thought-provoking for all who visit.”
For more information about Crystal Bridges or to get tickets to reserve a time for We the People: the Radical Notion of Democracy, visit the museum’s website.
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