Blanton’s New Exhibition Spotlights Artistic Collaborations Between Gorky, Noguchi and More

The new Blanton Museum of Art exhibition, “In Creative Harmony: Three Artistic Partnerships,” invites visitors into the studios, friendships and family collaborations that have fueled some of the most innovative works of art. On view from February 16 to July 20, the show explores how three creative pairs—visionaries Arshile Gorky and Isamu Noguchi, Mexican printmakers José Guadalupe Posada and Artemio Rodríguez, and mother-daughter artists Nora and Eliza Naranjo Morse—found inspiration in each other’s ideas and transformed their art in the process.

The show features over 100 artworks across mediums such as painting, sculpture, printmaking and mixed media, with historic pieces and new commissions that explore how shared experiences and artistic conversations shape visual language.

“Artists have inspired one another for centuries,” said Simone Wicha, director of the Blanton in a press release. ‘In Creative Harmony’ demonstrates how these exchanges push the boundaries of creativity by beautifully weaving together three transformative partnerships and more than a hundred artworks.”

1

2

José Guadalupe Posada, “Calavera de Don Quixote [Don Quixote’s Skeleton],” circa 1910-1913, relief etching on type metal and metalcut, 9 7/16 × 13 13/16 in., Blanton Museum of Art, The University of Texas at Austin, Gift of Frank Ribelin, 2008.

2

2

Artemio Rodríguez, “Avaricia (verde y amarillo) [Avarice (Green and Yellow)],” 2005, silkscreen,34 x 33 1/4 in., Artemio Rodríguez Collection © Artemio Rodríguez

Artistic dialogue across time

The exhibition begins with a conversation across centuries. Though separated by time, the works of José Guadalupe Posada (1852–1913) and Artemio Rodríguez (b. 1972) engage in a striking visual dialogue. Known as the “Printmaker of the People,” Posada chronicled the turbulent political shifts of early 20th-century Mexico with sharp social satire. His calaveras, skeletal figures brimming with dark humor, became enduring symbols of Mexican culture and identity.

Nearly 100 years later, Rodríguez found his artistic voice in the U.S., drawing inspiration from Posada’s fearless style and biting commentary. His prints fuse Chicano art traditions with medieval and Netherlandish influences, continuing Posada’s legacy while offering fresh perspectives on modern struggles.

1

2

Arshile Gorky, “Untitled (Nighttime, Enigma, and Nostalgia),” circa 1930–32, drawing, 22 1/2 x 30 1/2 in., Collection of Isamu Noguchi. (Photo by Kevin Noble, © INFGM / ARS)

2

2

Isamu Noguchi, “Monument to Heroes,” 1943, wood, paper, bone, string, 37 1/2 x 20 3/4 x 19 in., Collection of the Isamu Noguchi Foundation and Garden Museum, New York. (Photo by Kevin Noble, © INFGM / ARS)

A friendship of abstract visions

Another section of the exhibition highlights the deep friendship between painter Arshile Gorky and sculptor Isamu Noguchi, two artists united by a shared fascination with Surrealism and abstraction. Both grappled with a sense of displacement—Gorky, who survived the Armenian Genocide before immigrating to the U.S., and Noguchi, a Japanese American who voluntarily lived in an internment camp during World War II in solidarity with others of Japanese descent.

Their bond flourished in 1930s New York, where they often exhibited together and drew inspiration from the natural world, developing a distinct biomorphic style. This section showcases more than 20 pieces, including paintings, sculptures and rarely seen collaborative drawings that reflect the artistic synergy between the two friends.

1

2

Nora Naranjo Morse, “Moon Orchids,” 2016, clay, full installation (dimensions variable) 4 ft x 27 in., (Photo courtesy of Nora Naranjo Morse)

2

2

Eliza Naranjo Morse, “Hurt,” 2018, watercolor and clay on paper, 10 x 13 in. (Photo courtesy of Eliza Naranjo Morse)

Family traditions reimagined

Nora Naranjo Morse and Eliza Naranjo Morse, a mother-daughter artistic duo and descendants of Tewa-speaking Pueblo potters from New Mexico, present their first large-scale collaboration. Though their artistic practices differ—Nora focuses on clay and installation while Eliza is known for her whimsical drawings—their work is rooted in shared family traditions and ancestral knowledge.

For this exhibition, the pair created an immersive environment that combines traditional Pueblo pottery techniques with modern materials. Life-size clay sculptures and burlap figures stand alongside Eliza’s anthropomorphized animal drawings, blending playful imagery with deeper reflections on cultural identity and contemporary life.

A collaborative exhibition at the Blanton

“In Creative Harmony” is a cross-curatorial collaboration at the Blanton, with each artist pairing organized by a different curator. Vanessa Davidson, research curator of Latin American art, oversaw the Posada and Rodríguez section. Claire Howard curated the Gorky and Noguchi works, and Hannah Klemm, curator of modern and contemporary art, organized the Naranjo Morse collaboration.

A companion exhibition, “A Family Affair: Artistic Dynasties in Europe,” will run concurrently in Blanton’s Paper Vault galleries, offering another lens on collaboration and legacy in art.

Public programs tied to the exhibition kick off with B Scene on Friday, February 28, from 7 to 11 p.m., featuring live music, art talks, food, drinks and late-night access to the galleries. Additional events include Art with an Expert talks: artist Artemio Rodríguez will discuss his work and the influence of Posada on Saturday, March 8 at 4 p.m., and curator Claire Howard will speak about Noguchi and Gorky’s artistic partnership on Saturday, April 12 at 4 p.m. For more details about the new art exhibition and upcoming events, visit their website.

RELATED: The Contemporary Austin Celebrated Their Spring Exhibit Opening With a Lively Art Party