20th Century Abstract Art from the Ringling Collection

June 12, 2010 - March 18, 2012

Considered one of the most “shocking” of all of the artistic innovations to change the course of art in the 20th century, abstraction has proven over time to be an enduring and influential movement.  Yet, abstract art continues to be an uncomfortable confrontation for many museum visitors who often feel confounded by a lack of subject matter.  Composed entirely of The John and Mable Ringling Museum of Art’s permanent collection, the gallery installation “20th century Abstract Art” provides a glimpse at this watershed moment in the history of Western art.  Visitors will experience work by many of the pioneers of this artistic revolution, and its various manifestations, which has become a hallmark of high modernism.  Pieces by artists such as Alexander Calder, Yves Tanguy, and Kay Sage among others will be on view inviting visitors to explore this modernist paradigm.