An Incomplete History of Protest: Selections from the Whitney’s Collection, 1940–2017

Aug 18, 2017–Aug 27, 2018

Exhibition works

8 total
Strike, Boycott, Advocate: The Whitney Archives
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Strike, Boycott, Advocate: The Whitney Archives

"Hate is a sin" text written in white on a blue cross, with a red background.
"Hate is a sin" text written in white on a blue cross, with a red background.

Faith Ringgold (b. 1930), Hate Is a Sin Flag, 2007. Acrylic, graphite, and ink on paper, 18 3/4 x 19 in. (47.6 x 48.3 cm). Whitney Museum of American Art, New York; purchase with funds from the Laurie M. Tisch Illumination Fund T.2016.540. © 2017 Faith Ringgold / Artists Rights Society (ARS), New York

Strike, Boycott, Advocate: The Whitney Archives

Material gathered from the Whitney Archives from 1960 to 1971 examines moments of collective, artist-led engagement with the Museum, as well as frequent opposition to it. During the war in Vietnam and the fight for civil and women’s rights, museums increasingly became sites of political action and protest. No longer seen as immune to the social struggles of the day, they were viewed by artists as symptoms of the larger culture’s ills or, at the very least, mirrors of its values. From disputes over the curatorial direction of the Museum to demands that it be more inclusive and accessible, artists have shaped the course of the Whitney and continue to do so today.

"Hate is a sin" text written in white on a blue cross, with a red background.
"Hate is a sin" text written in white on a blue cross, with a red background.

Faith Ringgold (b. 1930), Hate Is a Sin Flag, 2007. Acrylic, graphite, and ink on paper, 18 3/4 x 19 in. (47.6 x 48.3 cm). Whitney Museum of American Art, New York; purchase with funds from the Laurie M. Tisch Illumination Fund T.2016.540. © 2017 Faith Ringgold / Artists Rights Society (ARS), New York

Faith Ringgold (b. 1930), Hate Is a Sin Flag, 2007

Black and white screenprint of a woman and child covered with a red X.
Black and white screenprint of a woman and child covered with a red X.

Carol Summers (1925-2016), Kill for Peace, 1967, from ARTISTS AND WRITERS PROTEST AGAINST THE WAR IN VIET NAM, 1967. Screenprint and photo-screenprint on board, 23 3/8 x 19 1/4 in. (59.4 x 48.9 cm). Whitney Museum of American Art, New York; purchase with funds from the Print Committee 2006.50.14

Carol Summers (1925-2016), Kill for Peace, 1967

Blue-hued painting of figures draped in flags.
Blue-hued painting of figures draped in flags.

May Stevens (b. 1924), Dark Flag, 1976, from the series "Big Daddy" Paintings, 1967-76. Acrylic on canvas, 60 1/8 × 60 1/8 in. (152.7 × 152.7 cm). Whitney Museum of American Art, New York; gift of the artist 2005.34. © May Stevens. Courtesy the artist and RYAN LEE Gallery, New York

May Stevens (b. 1924), Dark Flag, 1976

Installation view of An Incomplete History of Protest: Selections from the Whitney’s Collection, 1940–2017
Installation view of An Incomplete History of Protest: Selections from the Whitney’s Collection, 1940–2017

Installation view of An Incomplete History of Protest: Selections from the Whitney’s Collection, 1940–2017 (Whitney Museum of American Art, New York, August 18, 2017–). From left to right: Black Panther Party for Self-Defense, The Racist Dog Policemen Must Withdraw Immediately from Our Communities…, c.1970; Charles B. Hinman, Red Figure, 1967; William N. Copley, Untitled (Think/flag), 1967; Allan D’Arcangelo, Dipped, 1967; Nancy Grossman, Head 1968, 1968. Photograph by Ron Amstutz

Installation view

Installation view of An Incomplete History of Protest: Selections from the Whitney’s Collection, 1940–2017
Installation view of An Incomplete History of Protest: Selections from the Whitney’s Collection, 1940–2017

Installation view of An Incomplete History of Protest: Selections from the Whitney’s Collection, 1940–2017 (Whitney Museum of American Art, New York, August 18, 2017–). From left to right, top to bottom: Peter Moore, March for Freedom of Expression, New York, Protesters in a Line, 1964; Peter Moore, March for Freedom of Expression, New York, Peter Orlovsky and Allen Ginsberg, 1964; Faith Ringgold, Hate Is a Sin Flag, 2007; Carol Summers, Kill for Peace, 1967; Louise Nevelson, Composition, 1967; Adja Yunkers, Aegean I, 1966; Ad Reinhardt, No War, 1967; Irving Petlin, Skin, 1967; Jack Sonenberg, Literal Dimensions, 1967. Photograph by Ron Amstutz

Installation view

Artists

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On the Hour

A 30-second online art project:
Frank WANG Yefeng, The Levitating Perils #2

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Learn more at whitney.org/artport

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