Escape from the Vault: A Few Great Paintings and Sculptures
Exhibition Overview
The museum breaks out the cream of the contemporary collection—a selection of the most important paintings and sculptures
that have not been on view for years (and in one case, has never been on view until now). Among the works is Frank Stella’s gigantic metal assemblage-relief Marsaxlokk Bay, from his Malta Series; Minimalist masterpieces such as a Cor-Ten steel and Plexiglas “stack” by Donald Judd; a large untitled gestural work by Robert Motherwell from his Beside the Sea body of works, a quintessential example of Abstract Expressionist art; and two canvases by Sam Francis that illustrate two periods of his work, Black and Red (1950-53) from his so-called “cell” paintings and an untitled work (1968) from his Edge Series.
Don’t miss these works before they go back into the vaults.
Escape from the Vault Checklist
Josef Albers, American, born Germany 1888–1976
Variant: 4 Light Greens, 1947/1963
oil on Masonite
22 3/8 x 32 inches
Gift of The Contemporary Museum, Honolulu, 2011 and gift of J. Russell and Charlotte Cades, 1991 (1991.9)
Josef Albers, American, born Germany 1888–1976
Homage to the Square: Blue Secret, 1961
oil on Masonite
Bequest of Fredric Mueller, 1990 (6000.1)
Sam Francis, American, 1923-1994
Black and Red, 1950-53
oil on canvas
77 x 38 1/4 inches
Gift of The Contemporary Museum, Honolulu, 2011 and bequest of Mary Elizabeth Sterling, 2007 (2007.1.3)
Sam Francis, American, 1923-1994
Painting, 1968
acrylic on canvas
88 3/16 x 54 1/16 inches
Gift of The Contemporary Museum, Honolulu, 2011 and gift of the Shidler Family Collection, 2007 (2007.2.2)
Duane Hanson (American, 1925-1996)
Secretary, 1972
polyester and fiberglass, polychromed in oil, with found clothing and accessories, chair
lifesize, dimensions?
Promised gift of Dawn and Duncan MacNaughton in honor of Thurston Twigg-Smith
Donald Judd, American, 1928-1994
Untitled, 1989
Cor-Ten steel and green Plexiglas
10 units, each 9 7/8 x 19 11/16 x 9 7/8 inches
Gift of The Contemporary Museum, Honolulu, 2011 and gift of the Frederick R. Weisman Art Foundation, 1991 (1991. 11)
Sol LeWitt, American, 1928-2007
Double Floor Structure, 1964
painted steel
two parts; overall 30 x 48 x 144 inches
Gift of The Contemporary Museum, Honolulu, 2011 and gift of the Honolulu Advertiser Collection at Persis Corporation, 1988 (1988.33.4)
Frank Lobdell, American, born 1921
Winter '79, 1979
oil on canvas
96 x 78 inches
Gift of The Contemporary Museum, Honolulu, 2011, and gift of the Honolulu Advertiser Collection at Persis Corporation, 1992 (1991.1.11)
John McCracken, American, 1934-2011
Blue Post and Lintel II, 1970
fiberglass
102 x 32 x 17 inches
Gift of Mr. and Mrs. Frederick R. Weisman, 1971 (4036.1)
John McCracken, American, 1934-2011
Yellow Pyramid, 1965
fiberglass
48 x 72 x 72 inches
Gift of The Contemporary Museum, Honolulu, 2011 and gift of Persis Corporation, 2004 (2004.21.1)
Robert Motherwell, American, 1915-1991
Untitled, 1963
oil on canvas
88 x 67 inches
Gift of The Contemporary Museum, Honolulu, 2011 and partial purchase with funds given by Persis Corporation and gift of the Dedalus Foundation, 1997 (1997.1)
David Smith, American, 1906–1965
Hirebecca, 1961
welded and painted steel
82 x 38 x ? inches
Purchase, 1972 (4092.1)
David Smith, American, 1906–1965
Untitled (Green Linear Nude), c. 1964
oil enamel paint on canvas
30 x 44 1/2 inches
Gift of The Contemporary Museum, Honolulu, 2011 and bequest of Mary Elizabeth Sterling, 2007 (2007.1.5)