In celebration of the opening of the highly anticipated exhibition Wangechi Mutu: Intertwined, join us for an evening of creativity across the museum and Besthoff Sculpture Garden. Immerse yourself in artist Wangechi Mutu’s world through the exhibition in the first-floor Ella West Freeman Galleries and the pavilion in the Besthoff Sculpture Garden. Headlining the evening is a live music performance by renowned and globally popular Kenyan musician, producer, and DJ Blinky Bill, featuring tracks from his new album We Cut Keys 2. This special performance features Aurora Nealand and her brass band.

With fresh inspiration from the exhibition, get hands on and explore assemblage art for yourself with a collage-making workshop hosted by artist and designer Denisio Truitt and Jessica Johnson, NOMA’s Creative Aging and Access Coordinator. NOMA’s spring 2024 Teen Art Council will host a pop-up open to guests of all ages.

Café NOMA will be open throughout the evening, with food and specialty cocktails available for purchase.

This event is free and open to the public with advanced registration.

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About the Exhibition 

This major solo exhibition of work by Wangechi Mutu, brings together nearly one hundred sculptures, paintings, collages, drawings, and films to present the breadth of the Kenyan–American artist’s multidisciplinary practice from the mid-1990s to today. On view January 31–July 14, 2024, Wangechi Mutu: Intertwined traces connections between recent developments in Mutu’s sculptures and her decades-long exploration of the legacies of colonialism, globalization, and African and diasporic cultural traditions. The exhibition travels to NOMA from the New Museum, New York.

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Opening Celebration Line-up

Live Performance by Blinky Bill with Aurora Nealand and Her Brass Band

7:20 pm in the Lapis Center for the Arts

Renowned Kenyan musician, producer, and DJ Blinky Bill effortlessly demonstrates his experimental style by combining African influences with the familiar sounds of hip-hop, jazz, and funk. As Blinky Bill continues to evolve as a musical trailblazer, his forthcoming album, We Cut Keys 2, out January 26, is guaranteed to continue to provide a free-spirited experience, transcend boundaries, and resonate with audiences around the world.

DJ Set by Delores Galore

5–7 pm in the Great Hall

Gallery Talks on Wangechi Mutu: Intertwined

5:30 pm with New Museum Curator Vivian Crockett
6:30 pm with NOMA Curators Amanda Maples and Lisa Rotondo-McCord

Reflections Station and Photo Booth Presented by NOMA’s Teen Art Coundil

5:30–7 pm in the 1st Floor Elevator Lobby

Wangechi Mutu: Intertwined is organized by the New Museum, New York. Lead support for this exhibition is provided by the Henry Luce Foundation. Generous support for this exhibition is provided by the Ed Bradley Family Foundation, Agnes Gund, Jacques and Natasha Gelman Foundation and the National Endowment for the Arts. Additional support is provided by The Robert Lehman Foundation. Support for the accompanying publication has been provided by the A4 Arts Foundation.

The presentation in New Orleans is sponsored by the Ford Foundation. Additional support is provided by Delta Airlines, Gladstone Gallery, Walda Besthoff, Victoria Miro Gallery, The Windsor Court, The Azby Fund, Keith Fox and Tom Keyes, Aimée Farnet Siegel and Mike Siegel, Robin Rankin, Elizabeth Boh, Pat Mitchell and Scott Seydel, Harvey and Marie Orth, and Jeff Childers and Onay Gutierrez.