Modern Art Notes and Martin Wong

Martin Wong, Tell My Troubles to the Eight Ball (Eureka), 1978–81 |
Acrylic on canvas 48 x 48 in. Collection of Daniel S. Berger, MD

From bold and vivid depictions of Chinatown to the graffiti-splashed brick walls of tenement buildings to the walls inside and out of prisons, Martin Wong's extraordinary work firmly establishes him as one of the key visionary artists from the remarkable 80s and 90s New York scene. Now on view in our galleries, Human Instamatic is a comprehensive retrospective of Wong's body of work–a 90-paintings strong immersion into a dazzlingly inventive career.

For a closer look at Wong and his work, the most recent episode of Tyler Green's essential Modern Art Notes podcast features an in-depth conversation with Antonio Sergio Bessa, the exhibition's cocurator. You can listen to that here. It's a terrific primer if you've yet to see the show and a fascinating dive into the work if you've alreay explored our galleries. And for more Bessa, you can watch him and exhibition cocurator Yasmin Ramírez in a lively conversation from the exhibition's opening celebration.

And if you've not yet seen the show: we've got guided walk-in tours on deck through the balance of the exhibition's run, or be sure to visit on a free Thursday evening. Always free for members and students.