In ‘Artists Choose Parrish’ 12 Contemporary Artists Share Their Vision

On Sunday, August 20, the Parrish Art Museum opens “Artists Choose Parrish, Part II,” the second installment of a landmark exhibition series featuring internationally renowned contemporary artists with deep roots on the East End, presenting their work alongside their selections from the permanent collection.

“Artists Choose Parrish Part II” highlights 12 artists — Marina Adams, Alice Aycock, Vija Celmins, Rachel Feinstein, Ralph Gibson, Sheree Hovsepian, Suzanne McClelland, Alix Pearlstein, Ned Smyth, Donald Sultan, John Torreano and Stanley Whitney — and is on view through February 4, 2024.

The 12 participating artists were invited to delve into the museum’s 3,600-volume holdings online and at the Parrish to select works for the show. As in “Part I,” the artists reminisce on the relevance of the East End in their lives and approach to art. The exhibition series continues and deepens the multi-layered anthology of visual dialogues from unique perspectives, revealing a shared sense of community on the East End and continuing the artistic legacy of the region that radiates in the global art world.

By pairing their work in unexpected and creative manners with work by museum collection artists from the past and present, the participants crafted new narratives that explore perception and perspective, place and identity, formal connections, or personal and professional relationships.

Many of the artists in this iteration were looking for connections in process and material, focusing on the physical manifestation and experiences of the works. They chose works where they detected opposites but also similarities to their own works. Several explored art historical references, cultural symbolism, power dynamics and social constructs.

Artists Choose Parrish is organized by Corinne Erni, The Lewis B. and Dorothy Cullman Chief Curator of Art and Education, Deputy Director of Curatorial Affairs, with support from Assistant Curator and Publications Coordinator Kaitlin Halloran, and Assistant Curator Brianna L. Hernández.

This second installment of the year-long, three-part series is on view from August 20 to February 4. The show opens Saturday, August 19, with a members reception from 5 to 7:30 p.m. At 6 p.m., Marina Adams, Suzanne McClelland, and Ralph Gibson will give an Artist Talk. Another Artist Talk will be held on Sunday, September 3, at 3 p.m.

“Artists Choose Parrish: Part III” will be on view from October 29, to February 18, 2024. Participating artists will be Richard Aldrich, Joanne Greenbaum, Virginia Jaramillo, Rashid Johnson, KAWS, Mel Kendrick, David Salle, Sean Scully and Amy Sillman.

Parrish Art Museum is at 279 Montauk Highway, Water Mill. For more information, visit parrishart.org.