Exhibitions

Current Exhibitions

The Sculpture of William Edmondson: Tombstones, Garden Ornaments, and Stonework

August 12, 2021 – October 31, 2021

The Sculpture of William Edmondson: Tombstones, Garden Ornaments, and Stonework is the first large-scale museum examination of the artist’s career in over twenty years. A Nashville native and the first Black artist to have a solo exhibition at the Museum of Modern Art, Edmondson remains one of the most important self-taught artists of the twentieth-century. This exhibition, accompanied by a richly illustrated catalogue published by Vanderbilt University Press, draws upon new scholarship on Edmondson to reevaluate the full breadth of his sculptural output on its own terms and as part of a comprehensive practice.

The Sculpture of William Edmondson: Tombstones, Garden Ornaments, and Stonework supported by

Additional support provided by

William Edmondson (American, 1874-1951), Bess and Joe. Limestone. Gift of Salvatore Formosa Sr., Mrs. Pete Formosa Sr., and Mrs. Rose Formosa Bromley and Museum Purchase through the Stallworth Bequest. (right)

2021 Martin Shallenberger Artist-in-Residence Michael McMath

August 20, 2021 – October 17, 2021

Michael D. McMath works in Venetian plaster and encaustics, also known as the technique of painting with hot wax. These two ancient practices have repeatedly found waves of resurgences throughout the course of art history. Mike enjoys the freedom and untamable nature of creating with these mediums. These methods take some of the control out of the artist’s hands and create many unforeseen and pleasant results. “While great detail can be obtained with this medium, I find the joy of working with encaustic is in the beautiful accidents,” he states. Mike has completed countless mural, faux finish, gold leaf and trompe l’oeil projects across the United States and will begin his artist residency at Cheekwood in July 2021.

Michael D. McMath (American, born 1966). Serenity, 2021. Venetian plaster.

INTERVENTIONS: Fortuna

September 18, 2021 – January 2, 2022

In the fall of 2021, Cheekwood will launch its latest innovative arts initiative focused on activating the mansion’s period rooms. Intended to enliven a historic environment, this program aims to create a complementary dialogue between the craftsmanship of the creative contemporary minds of today and the classical collections present within the Cheekwood mansion. The inaugural artist, Beth Katleman, will install her whimsical and satirical work offering a creative temporary shift in perspective on the museum’s permanent collection. Katleman derives her inspiration from eighteenth century Chippendale designs and traditional toile patterns to fabricate intricate installations made of porcelain.

Beth Katleman (American, born 1959). Fortuna Table, 2021. Porcelain, wood, wire.

Upcoming Exhibitions

Louise Dahl-Wolfe: Capturing Culture

October 2, 2021 – January 2, 2022

Louise-Dahl Wolfe spent 22 years at Harper’s Bazaar, working alongside Carmel Snow, Diana Vreeland, and Alexy Brodovitch to help redefine the look and feel of American fashion as we know it today. This exhibition, featuring a selection of works from Cheekwood’s holdings gifted by the photographer, highlights the strengths of Dahl-Wolfe’s body of work during her time at the magazine.

Louise Dahl-Wolfe: Capturing Culture will be on view in Cheekwood’s Graphic Arts Gallery. The Graphic Arts Gallery features rotating exhibitions throughout the year highlighting pieces from Cheekwood’s collection of works on paper, including prints, photographs, lithographs, watercolors, pastels and sketches.

Louise Dahl-Wolfe, Natalie in Kairouan, Tunisia, 1950, silverprint, Gift of the artist, 1984.24.54.

Manhattan Memories: Soaring Towers and Park Visions of Jefferson Hayman and A.C. Webb

November 20, 2021 – February 13, 2022

Manhattan Memories: Soaring Towers and Park Visions of Jefferson Hayman and A.C. Webb explores how two artists, generations apart, are captivated by New York City. Hayman, an artist who lives just outside of the island, explores the themes of nostalgia, and memory in his photographs. His works incorporate vintage or handmade frames, making the works small mementos of Manhattan. His work will be presented alongside works from Cheekwood’s permanent collection of etchings, drawings and paintings of cityscapes by A.C. Webb.

A.C. Webb (American, 1888-1975). Chrysler Building in New York, c. 1930. Gouache on paper. Gift of Ms. Ellenna Webb Douglass. 1984.14.51.