The Art Gallery of Ontario (AGO) has announced their fall lineup of exhibitions which includes the first-ever museum presentation of KAWS in Canada, the only Canadian presentation of Keith Haring: Art Is for Everybody and Tate Britain’s acclaimed exhibition Life Between Islands. Along with these exhibitions, the AGO’s photography collection will bring forth major presentations of Arnold Newman’s portraits and the Casa Susanna photos.
Exhibitions set to open at the AGO this fall include the following.
Cities in Flux, which opened on August 12, delves into the urban experience through 100 carefully selected photographs from the AGO Collection. Showcasing the economic, political, and cultural underpinnings of cities, the display features images dating back to 1850. Artists such as Berenice Abbott, Bhupendra Karia, Paul Kodjo, Diane Liverpool, Danny Lyon, and Gillian Wearing contribute to this global exploration, curated by Marina Dumont-Gauthier. This exhibit will run until December 3, 2023.
KAWS: FAMILY, which is set to open on September 27, 2023, is an exhibition in which Brooklyn-based artist Brian Donnelly, known as KAWS, presents his Canadian museum debut with “KAWS: FAMILY.” The exhibition will showcase over 75 artworks, including sculptures, paintings, sketches, and product collaborations. Curated by Julian Cox, this AGO original offers insight into KAWS’ creative process and range, featuring a centerpiece sculpture titled FAMILY (2021).
Building Icons: Arnold Newman’s Magazine World will be opening on October 18, 2023. This exhibition presents the photographic career of Arnold Newman through more than 200 gelatin silver prints. Displaying Newman’s captivating portraits of notable figures from the post-World War II era, the exhibit will demonstrate how magazines influenced his practice. It will run until January 21, 2024, and is being curated by Sophie Hackett and Tal-Or Ben-Choreen.
Keith Haring: Art Is for Everybody is set to open on November 8, 2023. This major retrospective of Keith Haring’s work celebrates his artistic output and activism. Organized by The Broad, Los Angeles, the exhibit features over 120 artworks and archival materials, showcasing Haring’s vibrant and iconic style. The exhibit, curated by Sarah Loyer and Georgiana Uhlyarik, is on view until March 17, 2024.
Defaced! Money, Conflict, Protest will open on November 11. From The Fitzwilliam Museum, Cambridge, this exhibition explores how currency has been used for social commentary throughout history. The exhibit will feature historical defaced coins and banknotes alongside contemporary artworks, offering insights into various periods of societal turmoil.
Life Between Islands: Caribbean-British Art, which will open on December 6, 2023, will examine the impact of the Caribbean diaspora in Britain through more than 40 artists’ works. Co-curated by David A. Bailey and Alex Farquharson, the exhibit delves into the creative influence of the Caribbean on British art and will run until April 1, 2024.
Casa Susanna, opening on December 23, 2023, will present three collections of photographs capturing crossdressers’ lives in New York State during the 1950s-1960s. The images will offer candid glimpses into this historical crossdressing scene, curated by Isabelle Bonnet and Sophie Hackett. The exhibition will run until April 14, 2024.
“The AGO’s fall lineup brings exciting and educational programming for all ages,” said Neil Lumsden, Minister of Tourism, Culture and Sport. “I encourage everyone to bring their friends and family and experience everything the AGO has to offer, including these unique collections by renowned international artists.”