CURRENT EXHIBITIONS

object lessons

On view March 20 - November 29, 2020
             
Curated by Carole Perry

We are all collectors of objects. Small items store great meaning for us, especially those we discover as children. When objects travel with us to adulthood, in fact or in memory, they retain their power—as symbols, as touchstones for expression, as connectors to our past. The legacy of such items, and their role in developing an artist’s sensibility, is the theme of the exhibition. 

For the exhibition, six artists—​Shervone Neckles, Vik Muniz, Tony Oursler, Jean Shin, and Hank Willis Thomas & Kambui Olujimi—will present objects from childhood that have emotional resonance for them. They will display their objects alongside recent work to illustrate the link between youthful influence and mature artistic expression. We will also present items from Edward Hopper’s youth together with his mature work, revealing ways in which such objects forecast themes in his art. 

The participating artists’ processes vary widely, but all respond to the symbolic content of objects in intriguing ways. By including such a diverse group of artists, Object Lessons will allow visitors to explore how the nascent sensibilities of childhood shape one's development, resulting in an unpredictable spectrum of unique artistic identities.  

Object Lessons is central to EHH's mission of celebrating Edward Hopper's legacy. In addition to its setting in Hopper’s family home, it will incorporate some of the art and artifacts from the Sanborn Hopper Family Archive and from the museum’s permanent collection. Those objects provide a unique opportunity to experience aspects of Hopper’s youth that helped shape his artistic development. Object Lessons will offer similar insight into contemporary artists, suggesting the lasting power of early influences on artists of all kinds. 

Edward Hopper's Bedroom Reimagined

The Edward Hopper House is pleased to announce the restaging of the Edward Hopper's bedroom in the historic house in which he spent the first 28 years of his life and where he visited family throughout his lifetime.  The bedroom has been transformed into a showcase designed in period style by Architectural Digest featured designer Ernest de la Torre, and architect Walter Cain.
 
The staging of Hopper’s bedroom is a fitting acknowledgement of the profound impact the space had on his artistic development. Growing up with a view of the Hudson River from his bedroom window, young Edward Hopper was drawn to its banks. He spent hours at the village docks and shipyards, sketching and watching the building and rigging of boats. The activity on the river is captured in many of Hopper’s early drawings and paintings, and boats and seascapes remained common subjects in his art throughout his life.
 
Also central to his artistic development was the so-called “Hudson River light” of Nyack. The strong rays of morning sunlight streaming through the east facing windows of his bedroom create shifting patterns of light on the floor and walls. Hopper incorporated these tangible blocks of sunlight into early paintings and many of his later masterpieces. Visitors to this showcase will be able to appreciate all the unique features of the bedroom that so inspired Edward Hopper and led him on his creative path.  Due to the historic nature of the house and other limitations, the second floor room is only accessible by the stairs.
​We are grateful to Ernest de la Torre and Walter Cain for their attention to detail and for the time and energy they put into this project, as well as for the generous loans they contributed.  Thank you also to Paul Cavalconte and artists Vincent and Tatiana Capraro for the additional loans, and to Mark Turner of Turner & Turner Painting.   
Special thanks to Richard Ellis of Ellis Sotheby’s International Realty for making this all possible.
Please Note: The second floor of Edward Hopper House is NOT currently ADA accessible. 

Edward Hopper's Early Work and Memorabilia

On view in the Arthayer & Ruth Sanborn Gallery

Early drawings, paintings, and etchings together with memorabilia, including model boats made by Hopper, paintboxes, and an easel, are presented on an ongoing basis. 

A Photographic Journey through Hopper's World
​
​by Charles Sternaimolo

Searching through Josephine Hopper’s meticulous notes, studying the work of fellow Hopper scholars, checking with local residents and historians, and even walking through an area in search of a “Hopper scene,” photographer Charles Sternaimolo identified and documented over 150 places painted by Edward Hopper. See a visual comparison through photography of Hopper’s painted locations.
This exhibit was generously underwritten by Donna Cox, ​Better Homes and Gardens Rand Realty. Additional support was provided by Frames & Art by Simon