Baltimore City Wire

The Walters Art Museum in Baltimore has unveiled five new contemporary art installations, reflecting its dedication to integrating modern works with historical pieces. The installations feature site-specific commissions by artists Tsedaye Makonnen, Jackie Milad, and Stephanie Mercedes, along with contributions from Golnar Adili and Katherine Tzu-Lan Mann.

Gina Borromeo, Senior Director of Collections & Curatorial Affairs at the museum, emphasized the relevance of these works: “Each day, it is our goal to bring our expansive collection into the present by relating it to the modern human experience. Contemporary art highlights the enduring relevance of the past.”

Jackie Milad's "Abracadabra (Abuelita’s Bowl)" and "Ya Habibti, Ta’ala" are notable for being the first contemporary pieces displayed in the museum's Ancient Egyptian galleries. These mixed-media collages explore Milad's identity through a blend of neon paint and sketches.

Stephanie Mercedes' installation "We Were Treated Like Numbers Rather Than Stars" greets visitors at the Centre Street entrance. Made from bullet casings transformed into bell-like forms, this sculpture reflects on trauma and hope.

Tsedaye Makonnen presents "Sacred :: የተቀደሰ :: Yetekedse," a pair of light towers referencing Ethiopian processional crosses. This work memorializes individuals affected by violence.

Golnar Adili's lithograph "Dust of Sorrow (Ghobar é Gham)" delves into themes of loss using her mother's passport photo as a focal point. Meanwhile, Katherine Tzu-Lan Mann’s "The Pocket" combines materials to create symbolic imagery exploring cultural estrangement.

These installations continue The Walters Art Museum's strategy of presenting contemporary artworks that illuminate historic collections. In recent years, they have showcased numerous artists through exhibitions like Betty Cooke's retrospective and other significant acquisitions.

The Walters Art Museum remains committed to offering free admission to all visitors thanks to support from various donors and organizations.