Sculpture
October 15, 2019

Powerful Statue Offers a Contemporary Response to Confederate Monuments

For centuries, the equestrian portrait has played a pivotal role in the politics of art. Originally reserved for members of nobility in Ancient Greece and Rome, portrayals of people on horseback eventually featured high-status sitters and, later, military figures—including Confederate soldiers in the United States. Given the controversial history of these statues, it comes as no surprise that celebrated contemporary artist Kehinde Wiley has harnessed this motif to craft his latest piece, Rumors of War.

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Art History
October 14, 2019

How Pumpkins Have Inspired Yayoi Kusama’s Avant-Garde Art for Decades

Yayoi Kusama has carved out a name for herself as a top contemporary artist. Throughout her illustrious career, the Japanese creative has developed a signature approach to her craft. Characterized by polka dots, bold color palettes, and organic forms, her aesthetic is perhaps best typified by her pumpkin art, a collection of works celebrating the subject's “generous unpretentiousness.” Rooted in her childhood, Kusama's love of pumpkins has significantly shaped her practice for over 70 years.

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Design
October 12, 2019

Eye-Opening Poster Chronicles and Compares the 100 Largest Islands in the World

With ancient origins, the practice of mapmaking may seem like chartered territory. Today, however, contemporary cartographers continue to plot out new ways to keep the age-old craft alive. Leading the way in this modern map movement is David Garcia, a cartographer born in the Philippines and based in New Zealand. With this background, it is only fitting that many of Garcia's projects focus on isles, including his popular poster, Hundred Largest Islands of the World.

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My Modern Met

Celebrating creativity and promoting a positive culture by spotlighting the best sides of humanity—from the lighthearted and fun to the thought-provoking and enlightening.