Norman Rockwell Exhibit at BYU Museum of Art

See American Chronicles: The Art of Norman Rockwell at the Brigham Young University Museum of Art Nov. 20, 2015-Feb. 13, 2016. For free tickets, see rockwell.byu.edu. This rare exhibition from the collection of Norman Rockwell Museum, explores Norman Rockwell’s unparalleled role as an American icon-maker and storyteller. As one of the most recognizable American artists of the 20th century, Rockwell illustrated narratives for decades, depicting scenes of both hope and brutal reality. Rockwell’s beloved paintings reflect not only themes of home, family, and the American Dream but also address the deeper issues of the 20th century including the ‘60s Civil Rights Movement in America.
American Chronicles features more than 50 original artworks, including classic pieces such as No Swimming, Triple Self-Portrait, and Family Tree. Also included is the complete set of Rockwell’s 323 Saturday Evening Post covers, which he illustrated from 1916 to 1963, and renowned socially impassioned works such as The Problem We All Live With, Murder in Mississippi, and Christmas in Bethlehem.
The exhibition, organized by Norman Rockwell Museum, Stockbridge, Massachusetts, has been generously supported by National Endowment for the Arts, The Curtis Publishing Company, the Norman Rockwell Family Agency, and the Stockman Family Foundation Trust.
Expertly weaving both narrative and painterly images, Rockwell was a consummate visual storyteller with a finely honed sense of what made an image successful in the new, rapidly changing era of mass media. Rockwell’s unique artistic legacy, established during 65 years of painting, offers a personal chronicle of 20th century life and aspirations that has both reflected and profoundly influenced American perceptions and ideals.
“Norman Rockwell’s art speaks eloquently to the core of who we are as a nation,” says Norman Rockwell Museum Director/CEO, Laurie Norton Moffatt. “In reflecting our fundamental resilience, strength, optimism, decency, and compassion, it is art for our time, and for all time. We are delighted to have the opportunity to share these extraordinary works from our collection with a larger audience.”
Lynda Palma, Educator of American Chronicles at the BYU Museum of Art said, “The exhibition is exciting for all audiences, enabling young and old to reflect on some of the most vital, momentous chapters in America’s history. Through this lens we can compare our lives today with those of the past-an era of world war, civil rights, and unprecedented technological innovation-and learn the valuable lessons that only hindsight can provide.”
Janalee Emmer, Head Museum Educator and Curator of American Chronicles at the BYU Museum of Art said, “Norman Rockwell’s work is already familiar to and beloved by the American public. He was an extremely gifted storyteller and I think that our audiences will love seeing iconic Rockwell paintings that cheerfully celebrate ordinary people in everyday, and often idealized, situations. But, Rockwell was also deeply interested in documenting social issues, such as desegregation, civil rights, and poverty and this exhibition provides the opportunity to see that side of Rockwell as well. It’s an extremely moving exhibition-poignantly capturing both the joys and sorrows of our history.”
Generous support for American Chronicles: The Art of Norman Rockwell and Ruby Bridges’ lecture has been provided by Rondell and Joyce Hanson.
More information about the exhibition and related programming can be found online at moa.byu.edu/ame...