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)