"Change Agents: Women Collectors Shaping the Art World," an exhibition of works by 59 artists selected from the collections of 14 women of note, will open at the Southampton Arts Center on Saturday, when a reception will be held at 6 p.m.
The exhibition has been organized by Kate Fowle, the curatorial senior director at Hauser & Wirth and former head of MoMA PS1; Folasade Ologundudu, a writer and multidisciplinary artist, and Xiaoyu Weng, a curator at the Art Gallery of Ontario.
Conceived by Simone Levinson, the art center's founding co-chairwoman, the show draws from the collections of Beth Rudin DeWoody, Fusun Eczacibasi, Agnes Gund, Jane Holzer, Pamela Joyner, Roya Khadjavi, Emily Fisher Landau, Christine Mack, Elisa Nuyten, Lisa Perry, Holly Peterson, Joy Simmons, Mickalene Thomas, and Neda Young.
Each collector has had an enduring impact on the cultural landscape in different ways, according to the center, from donating works to some of the world's most established institutions, to advancing the work of emerging artists in the earliest days of their careers, to initiating foundations and exhibition spaces that illuminate the importance of art in society.
“We are thrilled to share more than 60 works of art from 59 different artists with our community, all thanks to these impressive women who have provided unique access to such thoughtful collections,” said Christina Mossaides Strassfield, the arts center's executive director.
Among the artists represented are Mark Bradford, Nick Cave, Vanessa German, Rashid Johnson, Bronwyn Katz, Glenn Ligon, Robert Longo, Zanele Muholi, Wangechi Mutu, Sigmar Polke, Winfred Rembert, Toni Ross, Lorna Simpson, Andy Warhol, Jack Whitten, and Brenna Youngblood.
Public programs include a collectors panel discussion, moderated by Lisa Dennison, chairwoman of Sotheby's North and South America, set for next Friday at 7 p.m. Panelists include Jane Holzer, Roya Khadjavi, Christine Mack, Lisa Perry, Holly Peterson, Joy Simmons, and Mickalene Thomas.
"Change Agents" will remain on view through Sept. 30.
