New York City residents seeking relief from the heat and pollution have been flocking to upstate New York and the Berkshires for generations. The emergence of smaller artist communities along the Hudson River and beyond has created a vibrant cultural scene for visitors to explore. From thought-provoking museum exhibitions to adventurous gallery shows, there is no shortage of artistic offerings to enjoy.
One notable exhibition is “Pippa Garner: $ELL YOUR $ELF” at Art Omi in Ghent, N.Y. Pippa Garner, an 81-year-old artist with a background in car design, has been pushing boundaries in the art world since the 1970s. Her sculptures eroticize mass-produced objects, and her unique fusion of car culture, consumerism, and queer humor is garnering renewed attention. The Art Omi exhibition showcases over 50 years of Garner’s work, including a new custom car, provocative graphic tees, and playful pieces like “truck nuts.” This exhibition is a must-see for art enthusiasts interested in Garner’s captivating and critical observations on capitalist and cultural norms.
Another intriguing exhibition is “Indian Theater: Native Performance, Art, and Self-Determination Since 1969” at the Hessel Museum of Art in Annandale-on-Hudson, N.Y. Curated by Candice Hopkins, this exhibition brings together over 100 works by Indigenous artists from the United States and Canada. It explores the historical role of performance in Indigenous culture as a political tool for building solidarity, fostering empathy, and challenging power structures. The exhibition spans from the feminist movement of the 1970s to contemporary practices, featuring commissioned works by artists like Nicholas Galanin and Jeffrey Gibson. Notable artist Rebecca Belmore also questions America’s history of colonialism and territorial claims through symbolic installations on the museum’s facade.
Massachusetts Museum of Contemporary Art (Mass MoCA) in North Adams, Mass., presents “EJ Hill: Break Run Helix.” Instead of traditional artworks, the centerpiece of this summer exhibition is a pink roller coaster designed by artist EJ Hill. The roller coaster serves as a metaphor for Hill’s experiences as a queer Black man in the U.S., offering participants a visceral journey through both delight and terror. Hill is known for pushing boundaries and exploring themes of hypervisibility and stress faced by people of color. Mass MoCA also features other noteworthy exhibitions, including works by Carrie Schneider and Daniel Giordano, as well as a photography exhibition by Elle Pérez titled “Intimacies,” which captures the vulnerability and longing in human connections.
The Thomas Cole National Historic Site in Catskill, N.Y., presents “Women Reframe American Landscape.” This exhibition sheds light on the underappreciated landscape painter Susie Barstow, who never received the recognition enjoyed by her male Hudson River School counterparts. Barstow’s keen eye for capturing nature’s beauty is showcased alongside contemporary artists who also incorporate natural elements into their work. This exhibition offers a unique opportunity to discover Barstow’s contributions to American landscape painting while exploring the perspectives of esteemed contemporary artists such as Ebony G. Patterson, Teresita Fernández, and Wendy Red Star.
For a more intimate artistic experience, “Ann Hamilton: as after is before” at ‘T’ Space in Rhinebeck, N.Y., captivates visitors with the poetic mastery of artist Ann Hamilton. Hamilton’s large-scale installations and performance collaborations blur the boundaries between poetry, painting, and sculpture. Her current exhibition transforms the ‘T’ Space gallery into an immersive environment, utilizing materials like wool coats, sheep fleece, inscribed stones, and recorded sound. The exhibition is shaped by the surrounding environment and promises a captivating sensory experience.
In addition to these featured exhibitions, other recommended art destinations include a ceramics exhibition at the Russel Wright Design Center in Garrison, N.Y., a survey of artist Michael Snow at The School in Kinderhook, N.Y., an exhibition of works by Edvard Munch at The Clark Art Institute in Williamstown, Mass., by-appointment tours of the Ellsworth Kelly Foundation in Spencertown, N.Y., and collages by Laleh Khorramian at SEPTEMBER in Kinderhook, N.Y.
Whether you’re an art enthusiast or an adventurous traveler seeking cultural experiences, these artistic destinations in upstate New York and the Berkshires offer a feast for the senses and an opportunity to explore the rich tapestry of contemporary and historical art.
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