Palm Springs Art Museum has announced that it plans to reopen this fall with two exhibitions featuring the work of iconic desert local Agnes Pelton. The exhibition Agnes Pelton: Desert Transcendentalist features the artist’s abstract work and contributions to American and international modernism. Agnes Pelton Landscapes is a complimentary selection of her work in landscapes and nature exploration. The museum has identified Nov. 19, 2020, as its reopening date and the debut of the Pelton exhibitions; however, this date is subject to change due to the continually evolving COVID-19 situation.

“The presentation of Agnes Pelton’s work at Palm Springs Art Museum is a homecoming for the artist, bringing her work back to the desert that sustained her as well as to the museum that first recognized her unique vision with the 1995 exhibition Agnes Pelton: Poet of Nature,” says Louis Grachos, the museum’s JoAnn McGrath Executive Director/CEO. “Pelton was particularly inspired by the desert and explored two areas of artmaking that have special resonance to our museum: abstraction and landscape. I don’t think we could have a more appropriate artist welcoming visitors back into our galleries after the long closure due to the COVID crisis.”

Born in 1881, Pelton was among early twentieth-century artists who explored abstraction to portray inner emotional states. She began her artistic career in New York City and Long Island and later moved to Cathedral City, California (just outside Palm Springs). She dedicated herself to exploring forms spiritually, which fueled her painting—particularly her abstract work. Pelton was also inspired by various historical sources of symbolic thinking—including texts on Theosophy, the writings of Carl Jung, and the esoteric discipline of Agni Yoga—but did not subscribe to any single system of thought. Instead, she absorbed a range of ideas and influences—including briefly connecting with the Transcendental Painting Group (1938–1942), a short-lived union that promoted abstract, nonobjective art—all of which informed her artistic approach.

Agnes Pelton: Desert Transcendentalist was organized by Phoenix Art Museum and curated by Gilbert Vicario, The Selig Family Chief Curator. The Palm Springs presentation is organized by Rochelle Steiner, Chief Curator & Director of Curatorial Affairs and Programs. Lead support is provided by the Mary Ingebrand-Pohlad Foundation and Pamela & James Muzzy. Generous support is provided by Vicki & Bill Hood and Yvonne & Steve Maloney. Additional Support is provided by Nora & Guy Barron and The Sam and Diane Stewart Family Foundation.

Agnes Pelton Landscapes is organized by Palm Springs Art Museum and curated by Christine Giles, Curator of Western and Native American Art.

Source: Pam Price