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Helen Molesworth

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Helen Anne Molesworth(born 1966, Chickasaw, Alabama) is an American curator of contemporary art based in Los Angeles. From 2014 to 2018, she was the Chief Curator atThe Museum of Contemporary Art(MOCA) in Los Angeles.[1]

Early life and education[edit]

Raised inFlushing, Queens,andForest Hills, Queens,by a textile artist mother, who worked in the menswear industry, and an English professor father, who taught at Queens College, Molesworth graduated fromStuyvesant High School.[2]

After graduating from theState University of New York at Albany,Molesworth entered theWhitney Museum’s Independent Study Program.[3]In 1997, she earned a Ph.D. in Art History fromCornell University.[4][5]

Career[edit]

Early career[edit]

As head of the Department of Modern and Contemporary Art at theHarvard University Art Museums,she presented an exhibition of photographs byMoyra DaveyandACT UPNY: Activism, Art, and the AIDS Crisis 1987–1993.While Curator of Contemporary Art at theBaltimore Museum of Artfrom 2000 to 2002, she arrangedWork Ethic,which traced the problem of artistic labor in post-1960s art. From 2002 to 2007 she was the Chief Curator of Exhibitions at theWexner Center for the Artswhere she organized the first U.S. retrospectives ofLouise LawlerandLuc Tuymans,as well asPart Object Part Sculpture,which examined the influence ofMarcel Duchamp's erotic objects.

ICA Boston, 2010–2014[edit]

From 2010 to 2014 Molesworth was theBarbara LeeChief Curator at theInstitute of Contemporary Art(ICA) Boston, where she assembled one person exhibitions of artistsSteve Locke,Catherine Opie,Josiah McElheny,andAmy Sillman,and the group exhibitionsLeap Before You Look: Black Mountain College 1933–1957,[6]Dance/Draw,[7]andThis Will Have Been: Art, Love & Politics in the 1980s.[8]

MOCA LA, 2014–2018[edit]

Molesworth was the Chief Curator at TheMuseum of Contemporary Art(MOCA), Los Angeles, 2014–2018.[9]After her arrival in Los Angeles in 2014 she reinstalled MOCA's permanent collection galleries, co-organized a survey exhibition ofKerry James Marshallthat traveled to Chicago, New York, and Los Angeles, organizedAnna Maria Maiolino’s first US retrospective, and forged a partnership between MOCA and The Underground Museum.[10]Her final exhibition at MOCA was a 2018 exhibitionOne Day at a Time:Manny Farberand Termite Art,which traced the legacy of Farber's "termite art" ideology on a wide range of contemporary artists, including many from Molesworth's own curatorial history.[11]

In March 2018, Molesworth was abruptly fired from MOCA, due to what the museum called "creative differences."[12]Catherine Opie,a MOCA board member, reported that museum directorPhilippe Vergnehad said he fired Molesworth for "undermining the museum."[13]Molesworth has long spoken publicly about the lack of diversity and equity in art institutions and the difficulties she has encountered in mounting exhibitions by non-male artists and artists of color—in a lecture to the UCLA Design Media Arts department on January 18, 2018, she said: “I don’t think there’s any way for MOCA to not be a white space. Not gonna happen. The DNA istoo deep.We don’t have anyone of color on our board. Let’s start right there.”[14]In a 2019Cultured Magazinearticle by Sarah Thornton, Moleswoth said of the incident: “It was a total debacle."[15]

Recent career[edit]

Since 2019, Molesworth has been the Curator in Residence atAnderson Ranch Arts Centerin Colorado.[16]

Molesworth has organized shows about the artistsNoah Davisin 2020 andRuth Asawain 2021 atDavid Zwirner Gallery.[17]Also in 2021, she curated the exhibition "Feedback" at theJack Shainman Gallery's The School space inKinderhook,housed in a former high school. The 21-artist show examined the history taught in American schools through the issues left insufficiently addressed in educational curricula, most notably race, and continues Molesworth's critique of institutional spaces and power structures.[18]

In 2022, Molesworth was awarded the Clark Prize for Excellence in Arts Writing alongsideHilton Alsby theClark Art Institute.[19]There were two winners that year, the most in a single year since the prize's founding, due to the societal shutdown caused by theCOVID-19 pandemic.

In 2023, Molesworth curated "Face to Face: Portraits of Artists by Tacita Dean, Brigitte Lacombe, and Catherine Opie" at theInternational Center of Photography,which focused on intimate portrait photography of various cultural figures by the three artists.[20]Later that same year, a collection of her essays,Open Questions: Thirty Years of Writing about Art,curated from various exhibition catalogues and publications such asArtforum,was published byPhaidon Press.[21]

Other activities[edit]

Molesworth is the author of numerous catalogue essays and her writing has appeared in publications such asArtforum,Art Journal,Documents,andOctober.The recipient of theBard Center for Curatorial Studies’s 2011 Audrey Irmas Award for Curatorial Excellence, she is currently at work on a book about "what art does."

Molesworth was a jury member for theCollege Art Association’s Distinguished Artist Award for Lifetime Achievement (2012),[22]The New School’sVera List Prize for Art and Politics(2014),[23]the Prix Canson (2016),[24]theSuzanne Deal Booth/ FLAG Art Foundation Prize (2018),[25]and thePinchukArtCentre’sFuture Generation Art Prize(2018).[26]In 2016, she was a member of the jury which selectedNjideka Akunyili Crosbyas recipient of thePrix Canson.[27]

Molesworth was the commencement speaker for theUCLA School of the Arts and Architecturein June 2018.[28]In 2022, she hosted the six-part podcast, Death of an Artist, about the death of Cuban-American artistAna Mendieta,wife ofCarl Andre;[29]the series made several “best of 2022” lists, including those ofThe EconomistandThe Atlantic.[30]She has since interviewed artists and thinkers forDavid Zwirner Gallery's “Dialogues” podcast. She also leads art conversations as the host of the gallery's video series “Program”.[31]

Personal life[edit]

On August 13, 2006 Molesworth married her wife, art historian,Susan DackermaninCambridge, Massachusetts.[32]

Selected exhibitions[edit]

Selected publications[edit]

  • Open Questions: Thirty Years of Writing about Art(Donna Wingate, editor.) London: Phaidon, 2023. ISBN 978-1838666057
  • DEATH OF AN ARTIST. A podcast in conjunction with Pushkin Industries and Somethin' else and Sony evaluating the significance of women and non-white persons in modern art through the life and tragic death of artist Ana Mendieta.
  • One Day at a Time: Manny Farber and Termite Art,Molesworth, Helen. Prestel, 2018.[37]ISBN 978-3791357669
  • Duchamp—By Hand, Even,Molesworth, Helen. Wien Verlag für moderne Kunst, 2017.[38]ISBN 978-3903153981
  • Leap Before you Look: Black Mountain College, 1933–1957,Molesworth, Helen. Boston: Institute of Contemporary Art in association with Yale University Press, 2015.[39]ISBN 9780300211917
  • Molesworth, Helen. "How to Install Art as a Feminist."Modern Women: Women Artists at The Museum of Modern Art.Ed. Connie Butler, Ed. Alexandra Schwartz. Published by The Museum of Modern Art, New York. 2014.[40]
  • Amy Sillman: One Lump or Two,Molesworth, Helen. New York: DelMonico Books Prestel, 2013.[41]
  • Louise Lawler,Molesworth, Helen. Cambridge, Massachusetts: MIT Press, 2013.[42]ISBN 978-0262518352
  • Klara Lidén Bodies of Society,Molesworth, Helen. New York: New Museum, 2012.[43]
  • This Will Have Been: Art, Love & Politics in the 1980s,Molesworth, Helen. Chicago: Museum of Contemporary Art Chicago; New Haven: Yale University Press, 2012.[44]
  • Catherine Opie: Empty and Full,Molesworth, Helen, ed. Stuttgart:Hatje Cantz,2011.[45]
  • Dance/Draw: The Institute of Contemporary Art Boston,Molesworth, Helen. Ostfildern: Hatje Cantz, 2011.[46]
  • Luc Tuymansexh. cat. Palais des beaux-arts de Bruxelles, 18 février-8 mai 2011, Molesworth, Helen. Bruxelles: Ludion, DL 2011.[47]
  • Part Object Part Sculpture,Molesworth, Helen, ed., Penn State Press, 2005.[48]
  • Body Space,Molesworth, Helen. Baltimore Museum of Art, 2001.[49]
  • Work Ethic,Molesworth, Helen. Baltimore Museum of Art, 2003.[50]

References[edit]

  1. ^Cascone, Sarah (2014-05-30)."Helen Molesworth Hired as Chief Curator of LA MOCA".Artnet News.Retrieved2021-09-30.
  2. ^Robin Pogrebin (25 January 2023),A Curator Unbound: First She Was Fired. Then She Found FreedomNew York Times.
  3. ^Robin Pogrebin (25 January 2023),A Curator Unbound: First She Was Fired. Then She Found FreedomNew York Times.
  4. ^"Helen Molesworth Appointed Curator of Contemporary Art".
  5. ^Helen Anne Molesworth and Susan DackermanNew York Times,13 August 2006.
  6. ^"Richard Deming on" Leap Before You Look: Black Mountain College 1933–1957 "".www.artforum.com.March 2016.Retrieved2021-09-30.
  7. ^""Dance/Draw" at ICA - Institute of Contemporary Art, Boston ".www.artforum.com.13 December 2011.Retrieved2021-09-30.
  8. ^Molesworth, Helen; Burton, Johanna; Grace, Claire, Museum of Contemporary Art (Chicago, Ill.), Institute of Contemporary Art (Boston, Mass.), Walker Art Center (2012).This will have been: art, love & politics in the 1980s.Museum of Contemporary Art Chicago.ISBN978-0-300-18110-4.OCLC759174324.{{cite book}}:CS1 maint: multiple names: authors list (link)
  9. ^Cascone, Sarah (2014-05-30)."Helen Molesworth Hired as Chief Curator of LA MOCA".Artnet News.Retrieved2021-09-30.
  10. ^"An unassuming storefront. A major museum. A collaboration that takes museum art to the people of L.A."Los Angeles Times.2015-07-20.Retrieved2021-09-30.
  11. ^Almino, Elisa Wouk (2018-11-14)."Helen Molesworth's Last MOCA Exhibition Is an Act of Love".Hyperallergic.Retrieved2021-09-30.
  12. ^"MOCA fires its chief curator".Los Angeles Times.2018-03-13.Retrieved2021-09-30.
  13. ^"MOCA fires its chief curator".Los Angeles Times.2018-03-13.Retrieved2021-09-30.
  14. ^Douglas, Sarah (2018-03-21)."Prior to Her Firing, Curator Helen Molesworth Made Public Statements Critical of Museum Practices, MOCA".ARTnews.com.Retrieved2021-09-30.
  15. ^"Curator Helen Molesworth Returns to the Stage With Something to Say".Cultured Magazine.2019-02-12.Retrieved2019-03-17.
  16. ^"ANDERSON RANCH ARTS CENTER NAMES HELEN MOLESWORTH AS NEW CURATOR-IN-RESIDENCE".Anderson Ranch Arts Center.2019-02-26.
  17. ^Robin Pogrebin (25 January 2023),A Curator Unbound: First She Was Fired. Then She Found FreedomNew York Times.
  18. ^Heinrich, Will (2021-08-12)."Teaching a New Inclusiveness at The School".The New York Times.ISSN0362-4331.Retrieved2021-09-30.
  19. ^"Clark Institute Names Helen Molesworth and Hilton Als as Recipients of 2022 Clark Prize for Excellence in Arts Writing".The Clark.Retrieved2024-03-28.
  20. ^"Face to Face: Portraits of Artists by Tacita Dean, Brigitte Lacombe, and Catherine Opie".Retrieved2024-04-02.
  21. ^"Open Questions: Thirty Years of Writing about Art".Retrieved2024-03-28.
  22. ^Distinguished Artist Award for Lifetime AchievementCollege Art Association.
  23. ^Syrian cinema collective Abounaddara awarded 2014 Vera List Center Prize for Art and PoliticThe New School,press release of 28 October 2014.
  24. ^Prix Canson 2016, June 22–July 1, 2016Drawing Center.
  25. ^Robin Pogrebin (2 May 2018),Collectors Join Forces to Create $800,000 Art PrizeNew York Times.
  26. ^PinchukArtCentre announces the jury for the 5th edition of the Future Generation Art PrizeFuture Generation Art Prize,press release of 29 May 2018.
  27. ^Andrew Russeth (22 June 2016),Njideka Akunyili Crosby Wins 2016 Prix CansonARTnews.
  28. ^"UCLA Arts: School of the Arts and Architecture".UCLA Arts: School of the Arts and Architecture.Retrieved2019-04-20.
  29. ^"The Tragic Story of Ana Mendieta is Uncovered in Death of an Artist".Vanity Fair.29 August 2022.
  30. ^Robin Pogrebin (25 January 2023),A Curator Unbound: First She Was Fired. Then She Found FreedomNew York Times.
  31. ^Robin Pogrebin (25 January 2023),A Curator Unbound: First She Was Fired. Then She Found FreedomNew York Times.
  32. ^"Helen Anne Molesworth and Susan Dackerman".The New York Times.2006-08-13.ISSN0362-4331.Retrieved2024-02-21.
  33. ^Steadman, Ryan (February 2, 2016)."One of the Great American Artists Gets an American Retrospective".Retrieved10 April2016.
  34. ^Miranda, Carolina A (January 8, 2016)."9 ways in which Helen Molesworth's permanent collection show at MOCA is upending the story of art".Los Angeles Times. Archived fromthe originalon January 9, 2016.Retrieved10 April2016.
  35. ^Westin, Monica (February 16, 2012)."The MCA's" This Will Have Been "and the Subjectivity of History".Art21.Retrieved10 April2016.
  36. ^"SFMOMA AND WEXNER CENTER TO PRESENT FIRST U.S. RETROSPECTIVE OF THE WORK OF LUC TUYMANS".SF MoMA.Retrieved10 April2016.
  37. ^MOLESWORTH, HELEN (2018).ONE DAY AT A TIME: manny farber and termite art.S.l.: PRESTEL ART.ISBN978-3791357669.OCLC1020312076.
  38. ^Molesworth, Helen; Banz, Stefan; Edition KMD (2017).Helen Molesworth Duchamp: By hand, even.Verlag für Moderne Kunst.ISBN9783903153981.OCLC1008599377.
  39. ^Molesworth, Helen Anne; Erickson, Ruth (2016).Leap before you look: Black Mountain College, 1933-1957.Boston; Boston, Mass.; New Haven, Conn.; London: Institute of contemporary art in association with Yale University press(IS) Institute of contemporary art; Yale University press.ISBN9780300211917.OCLC982274467.
  40. ^Butler, Cornelia H; Schwartz, Alexandra (2010).Modern women: women artists at the Museum of Modern Art.New York: Museum of Modern Art: Distributed in the U.S. and Canada by D.A.P./Distributed Art Publishers.ISBN9780870707711.
  41. ^Molesworth, Helen (2013).Amy Sillman: one lump or two.New York: DelMonico Books (Prestel).OCLC950233366.
  42. ^Molesworth, Helen (2013).Louise Lawler.Cambridge, Massachusetts: MIT Press.ISBN9780262018814.OCLC858000815.
  43. ^Molesworth, Helen; Gioni, Massimiliano; Moore, Jenny; Rist, Pipilotti; New Museum of Contemporary Art (New York, N.Y.) (2012).Klara Lidén bodies of society.New York, N.Y: New Museum.ISBN9780985448523.OCLC901443271.
  44. ^Molesworth, Helen Anne; Ward, Frazer; Mercer, Kobena; Burton, Johanna; Lebovici, Elisabeth; Horrigan, Bill; Schulman, Sarah (2012).This will have been: art, love, & politics in the 1980s.Chicago; London; New Haven (Conn.): Museum of Contemporary Art Chicago; Yale University Press.ISBN9780300181104.
  45. ^Opie, Catherine (2011).Empty and full.Ostfildern: Hatje Cantz Verl.ISBN9783775730150.OCLC741701119.
  46. ^Molesworth, Helen (2011).Dance/Draw: the Institute of Contemporary Art Boston.Ostfildern: Hatje Cantz.ISBN9783775731638.OCLC972017383.
  47. ^Molesworth, Helen; Grynsztein, Madeleine; Palais des beaux-arts (Bruxelles) (2011).Luc Tuymans [exposition, Palais des beaux-arts de Bruxelles, 18 février-8 mai 2011(in French). Bruxelles: Ludion.ISBN9789055447725.OCLC758373350.
  48. ^Molesworth, Helen; Wexner Center for the Arts (Columbus, OH) (2005).Part object, part sculpture.Columbus, OH; University Park, PA: Wexner Center for the Arts, The Ohio State University; Pennsylvania State University Press.ISBN0271028556.OCLC907144433.
  49. ^Molesworth, Helen; Baltimore Museum of Art (2001).Bodyspace.Baltimore: Baltimore Museum of Art.OCLC272520549.
  50. ^Molesworth, Helen; Alexander, M. Darsie; Bryan-Wilson, Julia; Baltimore Museum of Art (2003).Work ethic.Baltimore [etc: Baltimore Museum of Art [etc.ISBN0271023341.OCLC932548046.
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