The Malta International Contemporary Art Space has inaugurated the exhibition Colour, Form and Composition: Milton Avery and his Enduring Influence on Contemporary Painting – a stunning survey of over 30 works of master American colourist Milton Avery (1885-1965).
The impressive artworks – the second-ever European showing of its kind – hang alongside another 28 artworks from contemporary artists who credit him as an influence: Henni Alftan (Finland), Milton’s daughter March Avery (US), Harold Ancart (Belgium), Andrew Cranston (Scotland), Gary Hume (UK), Nicolas Party (Switzerland) and Jonas Wood (US).
The exhibition was formally opened by MICAS executive chairperson Phyllis Muscat, who also marked the first-year anniversary since the official inauguration of Malta Contemporary.
“Milton Avery’s arrival at MICAS is both a milestone and a mission fulfilled for us. This exhibition represents one of the most comprehensive presentations of Avery’s work ever seen in Europe – an unprecedented event for Malta, and a proud moment for MICAS as we continue our commitment to presenting contemporary art of global significance,” Muscat said.
She said that while each exhibition hosted at MICAS so far has bridged the international world of art to Malta, the Milton Avery exhibition was a historic showcase, accompanied as it is by the works of seven other contemporary artists, some of which were specifically created for this exhibition.
“Seasoned art connoisseurs and curious newcomers will experience an extraordinary collection, the second only such European showcase, here at MICAS. I am sure people’s senses will be stirred by the galleries, awash with the colour of Avery and the artists who kindly accepted our invitation to grace us with their work,” Muscat said.
This is the third exhibition in the main MICAS gallery spaces, and the sixth of displays since opening exactly a year ago.
Artistic director and exhibition curator Edith Devaney celebrated the high standard MICAS had set itself, ensuring that each exhibition staged is of a calibre and significance to match any museum globally.
“In accordance with our clear remit, this is a truly international exhibition. Not just in the sense of the artists involved hailing from the United States and across several countries in Europe, but international in terms of its worldwide significance in exploring new ground and in playing a part in the global conversation about the history of art and contributing to the constant reappraisal of the art of the past and its impact on contemporary practice.”
Avery is a hugely significant figure in the US, with his work residing in the collections of most of the country’s major museums. He is today recognised for having influenced the next generation of painters who would go on to form the celebrated movement ‘abstract expressionism; in the 1950s, and which saw the centre of the arts move from Paris to New York for the first time.
“The exhibition represents one of the most comprehensive presentations of Avery’s work ever seen in Europe”
“Here, in this exhibition we make the argument that Avery’s works continues to exert an influence 60 years after his death, and that the celebrated artists whose work sits alongside Avery’s have all been inspired to respond to his achievement by creating new work or selecting existing work to be in direct dialogue with Avery. These visual conversations are meaningful, and revelatory.”
The exhibition was also attended by artists Henni Alftan, Harold Ancart, Andrew Cranston and Gary Hume, as well as Avery’s grandson, and son of March Avery, Sean Cavanaugh, also an artist.
The Milton Avery catalogue, published by world-leading publishers Skira Editore, is on sale only at MICAS.
The exhibition runs until March 4. For more details, including opening hours, visit micas.art.
The Milton Avery exhibition was made possible thanks to generous loans from the Milton Avery Trust, as well as the seven participating artists, with additional sponsorship from the Sally and Milton Avery Trust, Waqas Wajahat, Karma Gallery New York and Xavier Hufkens, Brussels, along with the support of the Maltese culture ministry.
Read this preview of the exhibition.