This exhibition showcases NOMA’s recent acquisitions of modern and contemporary art and celebrates the museum’s enduring commitment to championing the work of emerging and underrepresented artists, especially from the American South. Bringing together new works by both locally and nationally recognized artists, the exhibition spotlights new acquisitions made possible by the Leah Chase Art Purchase Fund, created to honor the New Orleans chef and civil rights activist. In the exhibition, these dedicated new acquisitions by McArthur Binion, Leonardo Drew, and Mildred Thompson join works by LaToya Ruby Frazier, The Propeller Group, Keith Calhoun and Chandra McCormick, Dan Tague, and Carrie Mae Weems, among others, to offer vital new perspectives on pressing issues in contemporary art and culture.

DNA: Black Painting V

2015

McArthur Binion

Oil paint stick, graphite and paper on board

84 x 84 inches

Museum purchase, Leah Chase Fund, 2016.20

The Garden Party

2016

Toyin Ojih Odutola

Charcoal, pastel, and pencil on paper

Proposed Museum Purchase, E-2017-10.1

Detail from Taneesha II

1999

Dawoud Bey

Polacolor, ER print

24 x 60 inches (triptych)

Gift of Eric Ceputis and David Williams

Number 59S

2016

Leonardo Drew

Wood and black paint

98 x 103 x 24 inches

Museum purchase, Leah Chase Fund and Robert Gordy Fund, 2016.16.1

Campaign for Braddock Hospital (Save Our Community Hospital)

2011

LaToya Ruby Frazier

Portfolio of 12 prints, photolithographs and silkscreen, wooden frames

20 x 17 inches

Museum purchase, Joel Weinstock Fund, 2016.55.1-12

Achromatic Warning

2016

Dan Tague

Gesso primer and graphite on canvas

78 x 64 inches

Gift of Charles L. Whited, Jr., 2016.2

Untitled (Ella on Silk)

2014

Carrie Mae Weems

Diptych painted on fabric dye on silk charmeuse, stretched over cotton on support, with black tray frames, coroplas backing, no glazing

44 x 34 1/4 x 1 1/4 inches (left panel) and 15 x 12 x 2 inches (right panel)

Gift of Thomas Coleman, 2014.66.a-b