Visual Conversations: Selections from the Orlando Museum of Art Collection

This exhibition presents works from the Orlando Museum of Art’s permanent collection which have been paired or combined to encourage new interpretations and narratives by creating cross-temporal and cross-media dialogues. This approach offers a playful and engaging experience for audiences, both familiar with the collection and newcomers, as it invites them to see beloved artworks in a fresh light or encourages them to actively participate in the interpretation and appreciation of the collection.
 
The juxtaposed works have intriguing connections or contrasts that may be thematic, stylistic, formalistic, or conceptual. They encompass different time periods and artistic mediums, which diversifies the visual experience and enables interesting comparisons. For instance, Thomas Mickell Burnham’s 19th-century painting The Young Artist presented alongside Florida Prize in Contemporary Art 2022 recipient Jared McGriff’s 21st-century portrayal of youth playing on a street corner; or the juxtaposition of Julius Bloch’s Sheet Metal Worker with Ed Ruscha’s Inch By Inch, not only create fascinating dialogues across hundreds of years, but also attest to the way representation of people of color and women has evolved in art and in museum collections.
 
These pairings also highlight the Collection’s history by showcasing works that entered it at various points during its nearly 100-year existence, offering insight into the evolving tastes and values of the institution and its community. Finally, the exhibition seeks to challenge conventional interpretations and invite creative thinking. It underscores the importance of context in art interpretation and encourages the audience to question how the placement and association of artworks can drastically alter their meaning and significance.