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Helen Molesworth

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American curator of contemporary art (born 1966)

Helen Anne Molesworth (born 1966, Chickasaw, Alabama) is an American curator of contemporary art based in Los Angeles. From 2014 to 2018, she was the Chief Curator at The Museum of Contemporary Art (MOCA) in Los Angeles.

Early life and education

Raised in Flushing, Queens, and Forest Hills, Queens, by a textile artist mother, who worked in the menswear industry, and an English professor father, who taught at Queens College, Molesworth graduated from Stuyvesant High School.

After graduating from the State University of New York at Albany, Molesworth entered the Whitney Museum’s Independent Study Program. In 1997, she earned a Ph.D. in Art History from Cornell University.

Career

Early career

As head of the Department of Modern and Contemporary Art at the Harvard University Art Museums, she presented an exhibition of photographs by Moyra Davey and ACT UP NY: Activism, Art, and the AIDS Crisis 1987–1993. While Curator of Contemporary Art at the Baltimore Museum of Art from 2000 to 2002, she arranged Work Ethic, which traced the problem of artistic labor in post-1960s art. From 2002 to 2007 she was the Chief Curator of Exhibitions at the Wexner Center for the Arts where she organized the first U.S. retrospectives of Louise Lawler and Luc Tuymans, as well as Part Object Part Sculpture, which examined the influence of Marcel Duchamp's erotic objects.

ICA Boston, 2010–2014

From 2010 to 2014 Molesworth was the Barbara Lee Chief Curator at the Institute of Contemporary Art (ICA) Boston, where she assembled one person exhibitions of artists Steve Locke, Catherine Opie, Josiah McElheny, and Amy Sillman, and the group exhibitions Leap Before You Look: Black Mountain College 1933–1957, Dance/Draw, and This Will Have Been: Art, Love & Politics in the 1980s.

MOCA LA, 2014–2018

Molesworth was the Chief Curator at The Museum of Contemporary Art (MOCA), Los Angeles, 2014–2018. After her arrival in Los Angeles in 2014 she reinstalled MOCA's permanent collection galleries, co-organized a survey exhibition of Kerry James Marshall that traveled to Chicago, New York, and Los Angeles, organized Anna Maria Maiolino’s first US retrospective, and forged a partnership between MOCA and The Underground Museum. Her final exhibition at MOCA was a 2018 exhibition One Day at a Time: Manny Farber and Termite Art, which traced the legacy of Farber's "termite art" ideology on a wide range of contemporary artists, including many from Molesworth's own curatorial history.

In March 2018, Molesworth was abruptly fired from MOCA, due to what the museum called "creative differences." Catherine Opie, a MOCA board member, reported that museum director Philippe Vergne had said he fired Molesworth for "undermining the museum." Molesworth has long spoken publicly about the lack of diversity and equity in art institutions and the difficulties she has encountered in mounting exhibitions by non-male artists and artists of color—in a lecture to the UCLA Design Media Arts department on January 18, 2018, she said: “I don’t think there’s any way for MOCA to not be a white space. Not gonna happen. The DNA is too deep. We don’t have anyone of color on our board. Let’s start right there.” In a 2019 Cultured Magazine article by Sarah Thornton, Moleswoth said of the incident: “It was a total debacle."

Recent career

Since 2019, Molesworth has been the Curator in Residence at Anderson Ranch Arts Center in Colorado.

Molesworth has organized shows about the artists Noah Davis in 2020 and Ruth Asawa in 2021 at David Zwirner Gallery. Also in 2021, she curated the exhibition "Feedback" at the Jack Shainman Gallery's The School space in Kinderhook, housed in a former high school. The 21-artist show examined the history taught in American schools through the issues left insufficiently addressed in educational curricula, most notably race, and continues Molesworth's critique of institutional spaces and power structures.

In 2022, Molesworth was awarded the Clark Prize for Excellence in Arts Writing alongside Hilton Als by the Clark Art Institute. There were two winners that year, the most in a single year since the prize's founding, due to the societal shutdown caused by the COVID-19 pandemic.

In 2023, Molesworth curated "Face to Face: Portraits of Artists by Tacita Dean, Brigitte Lacombe, and Catherine Opie" at the International Center of Photography, which focused on intimate portrait photography of various cultural figures by the three artists. Later that same year, a collection of her essays, Open Questions: Thirty Years of Writing about Art, curated from various exhibition catalogues and publications such as Artforum, was published by Phaidon Press.

Other activities

Molesworth is the author of numerous catalogue essays and her writing has appeared in publications such as Artforum, Art Journal, Documents, and October. The recipient of the Bard Center for Curatorial Studies’s 2011 Audrey Irmas Award for Curatorial Excellence, she is currently at work on a book about "what art does."

Molesworth was a jury member for the College Art Association’s Distinguished Artist Award for Lifetime Achievement (2012), The New School’s Vera List Prize for Art and Politics (2014), the Prix Canson (2016), the Suzanne Deal Booth / FLAG Art Foundation Prize (2018), and the PinchukArtCentre’s Future Generation Art Prize (2018). In 2016, she was a member of the jury which selected Njideka Akunyili Crosby as recipient of the Prix Canson.

Molesworth was the commencement speaker for the UCLA School of the Arts and Architecture in June 2018. In 2022, she hosted the six-part podcast, Death of an Artist, about the death of Cuban-American artist Ana Mendieta, wife of Carl Andre; the series made several “best of 2022” lists, including those of The Economist and The Atlantic. She has since interviewed artists and thinkers for David Zwirner Gallery's “Dialogues” podcast. She also leads art conversations as the host of the gallery's video series “Program”.

Personal life

On August 13, 2006 Molesworth married her wife, art historian, Susan Dackerman in Cambridge, Massachusetts.

Selected exhibitions

Selected publications

  • Open Questions: Thirty Years of Writing about Art (Donna Wingate, editor.) London: Phaidon, 2023. ISBN 978-1838666057
  • DEATH OF AN ARTIST. A podcast in conjunction with Pushkin Industries and Somethin' else and Sony evaluating the significance of women and non-white persons in modern art through the life and tragic death of artist Ana Mendieta.
  • One Day at a Time: Manny Farber and Termite Art, Molesworth, Helen. Prestel, 2018. ISBN 978-3791357669
  • Duchamp—By Hand, Even, Molesworth, Helen. Wien Verlag für moderne Kunst, 2017. ISBN 978-3903153981
  • Leap Before you Look : Black Mountain College, 1933–1957, Molesworth, Helen. Boston: Institute of Contemporary Art in association with Yale University Press, 2015. ISBN 9780300211917
  • Molesworth, Helen. "How to Install Art as a Feminist." Modern Women: Women Artists at The Museum of Modern Art. Ed. Connie Butler, Ed. Alexandra Schwartz. Published by The Museum of Modern Art, New York. 2014.
  • Amy Sillman: One Lump or Two, Molesworth, Helen. New York: DelMonico Books Prestel, 2013.
  • Louise Lawler, Molesworth, Helen. Cambridge, Massachusetts: MIT Press, 2013. ISBN 978-0262518352
  • Klara Lidén Bodies of Society, Molesworth, Helen. New York: New Museum, 2012.
  • This Will Have Been: Art, Love & Politics in the 1980s, Molesworth, Helen. Chicago: Museum of Contemporary Art Chicago; New Haven: Yale University Press, 2012.
  • Catherine Opie: Empty and Full, Molesworth, Helen, ed. Stuttgart: Hatje Cantz, 2011.
  • Dance/Draw: The Institute of Contemporary Art Boston, Molesworth, Helen. Ostfildern: Hatje Cantz, 2011.
  • Luc Tuymans exh. cat. Palais des beaux-arts de Bruxelles, 18 février-8 mai 2011, Molesworth, Helen. Bruxelles: Ludion, DL 2011.
  • Part Object Part Sculpture, Molesworth, Helen, ed., Penn State Press, 2005.
  • Body Space, Molesworth, Helen. Baltimore Museum of Art, 2001.
  • Work Ethic, Molesworth, Helen. Baltimore Museum of Art, 2003.

References

  1. Cascone, Sarah (2014-05-30). "Helen Molesworth Hired as Chief Curator of LA MOCA". Artnet News. Retrieved 2021-09-30.
  2. Robin Pogrebin (25 January 2023), A Curator Unbound: First She Was Fired. Then She Found Freedom New York Times.
  3. Robin Pogrebin (25 January 2023), A Curator Unbound: First She Was Fired. Then She Found Freedom New York Times.
  4. "Helen Molesworth Appointed Curator of Contemporary Art".
  5. Helen Anne Molesworth and Susan Dackerman New York Times, 13 August 2006.
  6. "Richard Deming on "Leap Before You Look: Black Mountain College 1933–1957"". www.artforum.com. March 2016. Retrieved 2021-09-30.
  7. ""Dance/Draw" at ICA - Institute of Contemporary Art, Boston". www.artforum.com. 13 December 2011. Retrieved 2021-09-30.
  8. Molesworth, Helen; Burton, Johanna; Grace, Claire, Museum of Contemporary Art (Chicago, Ill.), Institute of Contemporary Art (Boston, Mass.), Walker Art Center (2012). This will have been: art, love & politics in the 1980s. Museum of Contemporary Art Chicago. ISBN 978-0-300-18110-4. OCLC 759174324.{{cite book}}: CS1 maint: multiple names: authors list (link)
  9. Cascone, Sarah (2014-05-30). "Helen Molesworth Hired as Chief Curator of LA MOCA". Artnet News. Retrieved 2021-09-30.
  10. "An unassuming storefront. A major museum. A collaboration that takes museum art to the people of L.A." Los Angeles Times. 2015-07-20. Retrieved 2021-09-30.
  11. Almino, Elisa Wouk (2018-11-14). "Helen Molesworth's Last MOCA Exhibition Is an Act of Love". Hyperallergic. Retrieved 2021-09-30.
  12. "MOCA fires its chief curator". Los Angeles Times. 2018-03-13. Retrieved 2021-09-30.
  13. "MOCA fires its chief curator". Los Angeles Times. 2018-03-13. Retrieved 2021-09-30.
  14. Douglas, Sarah (2018-03-21). "Prior to Her Firing, Curator Helen Molesworth Made Public Statements Critical of Museum Practices, MOCA". ARTnews.com. Retrieved 2021-09-30.
  15. "Curator Helen Molesworth Returns to the Stage With Something to Say". Cultured Magazine. 2019-02-12. Retrieved 2019-03-17.
  16. "ANDERSON RANCH ARTS CENTER NAMES HELEN MOLESWORTH AS NEW CURATOR-IN-RESIDENCE". Anderson Ranch Arts Center. 2019-02-26.
  17. Robin Pogrebin (25 January 2023), A Curator Unbound: First She Was Fired. Then She Found Freedom New York Times.
  18. Heinrich, Will (2021-08-12). "Teaching a New Inclusiveness at The School". The New York Times. ISSN 0362-4331. Retrieved 2021-09-30.
  19. "Clark Institute Names Helen Molesworth and Hilton Als as Recipients of 2022 Clark Prize for Excellence in Arts Writing". The Clark. Retrieved 2024-03-28.
  20. "Face to Face: Portraits of Artists by Tacita Dean, Brigitte Lacombe, and Catherine Opie". 31 October 2022. Retrieved 2024-04-02.
  21. "Open Questions: Thirty Years of Writing about Art". Retrieved 2024-03-28.
  22. Distinguished Artist Award for Lifetime Achievement College Art Association.
  23. Syrian cinema collective Abounaddara awarded 2014 Vera List Center Prize for Art and Politic The New School, press release of 28 October 2014.
  24. Prix Canson 2016, June 22–July 1, 2016 Drawing Center.
  25. Robin Pogrebin (2 May 2018), Collectors Join Forces to Create $800,000 Art Prize New York Times.
  26. PinchukArtCentre announces the jury for the 5th edition of the Future Generation Art Prize Archived 2023-01-29 at the Wayback Machine Future Generation Art Prize, press release of 29 May 2018.
  27. Andrew Russeth (22 June 2016), Njideka Akunyili Crosby Wins 2016 Prix Canson ARTnews.
  28. "UCLA Arts: School of the Arts and Architecture". UCLA Arts: School of the Arts and Architecture. Retrieved 2019-04-20.
  29. "The Tragic Story of Ana Mendieta is Uncovered in Death of an Artist". Vanity Fair. 29 August 2022.
  30. Robin Pogrebin (25 January 2023), A Curator Unbound: First She Was Fired. Then She Found Freedom New York Times.
  31. Robin Pogrebin (25 January 2023), A Curator Unbound: First She Was Fired. Then She Found Freedom New York Times.
  32. "Helen Anne Molesworth and Susan Dackerman". The New York Times. 2006-08-13. ISSN 0362-4331. Retrieved 2024-02-21.
  33. Steadman, Ryan (February 2, 2016). "One of the Great American Artists Gets an American Retrospective". Retrieved 10 April 2016.
  34. Miranda, Carolina A (January 8, 2016). "9 ways in which Helen Molesworth's permanent collection show at MOCA is upending the story of art". Los Angeles Times. Archived from the original on January 9, 2016. Retrieved 10 April 2016.
  35. Westin, Monica (February 16, 2012). "The MCA's "This Will Have Been" and the Subjectivity of History". Art21. Retrieved 10 April 2016.
  36. "SFMOMA AND WEXNER CENTER TO PRESENT FIRST U.S. RETROSPECTIVE OF THE WORK OF LUC TUYMANS". SF MoMA. Retrieved 10 April 2016.
  37. MOLESWORTH, HELEN (2018). ONE DAY AT A TIME: manny farber and termite art. S.l.: PRESTEL ART. ISBN 978-3791357669. OCLC 1020312076.
  38. Molesworth, Helen; Banz, Stefan; Edition KMD (2017). Helen Molesworth Duchamp: By hand, even. Verlag für Moderne Kunst. ISBN 9783903153981. OCLC 1008599377.
  39. Molesworth, Helen Anne; Erickson, Ruth (2016). Leap before you look: Black Mountain College, 1933-1957. Boston; Boston, Mass.; New Haven, Conn.; London: Institute of contemporary art in association with Yale University press(IS) Institute of contemporary art; Yale University press. ISBN 9780300211917. OCLC 982274467.
  40. Butler, Cornelia H; Schwartz, Alexandra (2010). Modern women: women artists at the Museum of Modern Art. New York: Museum of Modern Art : Distributed in the U.S. and Canada by D.A.P./Distributed Art Publishers. ISBN 9780870707711.
  41. Molesworth, Helen (2013). Amy Sillman: one lump or two. New York: DelMonico Books (Prestel). OCLC 950233366.
  42. Molesworth, Helen (2013). Louise Lawler. Cambridge, Massachusetts: MIT Press. ISBN 9780262018814. OCLC 858000815.
  43. Molesworth, Helen; Gioni, Massimiliano; Moore, Jenny; Rist, Pipilotti; New Museum of Contemporary Art (New York, N.Y.) (2012). Klara Lidén bodies of society. New York, N.Y: New Museum. ISBN 9780985448523. OCLC 901443271.
  44. Molesworth, Helen Anne; Ward, Frazer; Mercer, Kobena; Burton, Johanna; Lebovici, Elisabeth; Horrigan, Bill; Schulman, Sarah (2012). This will have been: art, love, & politics in the 1980s. Chicago; London; New Haven (Conn.): Museum of Contemporary Art Chicago; Yale University Press. ISBN 9780300181104.
  45. Opie, Catherine (2011). Empty and full. Ostfildern: Hatje Cantz Verl. ISBN 9783775730150. OCLC 741701119.
  46. Molesworth, Helen (2011). Dance/Draw: the Institute of Contemporary Art Boston. Ostfildern: Hatje Cantz. ISBN 9783775731638. OCLC 972017383.
  47. Molesworth, Helen; Grynsztein, Madeleine; Palais des beaux-arts (Bruxelles) (2011). Luc Tuymans [exposition, Palais des beaux-arts de Bruxelles, 18 février-8 mai 2011 (in French). Bruxelles: Ludion. ISBN 9789055447725. OCLC 758373350.
  48. Molesworth, Helen; Wexner Center for the Arts (Columbus, OH) (2005). Part object, part sculpture. Columbus, OH; University Park, PA: Wexner Center for the Arts, The Ohio State University; Pennsylvania State University Press. ISBN 0271028556. OCLC 907144433.
  49. Molesworth, Helen; Baltimore Museum of Art (2001). Bodyspace. Baltimore: Baltimore Museum of Art. OCLC 272520549.
  50. Molesworth, Helen; Alexander, M. Darsie; Bryan-Wilson, Julia; Baltimore Museum of Art (2003). Work ethic. Baltimore [etc: Baltimore Museum of Art [etc. ISBN 0271023341. OCLC 932548046.
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