Mark Rothko. No. 1, White and Red

Mark Rothko. No.1, White and Red, 1962. Oil on canvas, Overall: 259.1 x 228.6 cm. Art Gallery of Ontario. Gift from the Women's Committee Fund, 1962. © Kate Rothko Prizel & Christopher Rothko / Licensed by Artists Rights Society (ARS), New York / CARCC Ottawa 2023. 62/7.

Moments in Modernism

On Now until March 7, 2026

Located on Level 4

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EXHIBITION OVERVIEW

Moments in Modernism highlights the diversity and high quality of the AGO’s modern art collection, which has been built over time by generations of museum curators and patrons. 

This installation will show collection strengths from artistic movements such as Pop Art, Abstraction, Realism, and Minimalism.  An international approach in artistic styles will be presented, including a body of work from the AGO holdings by Brazilian artists, recognizing the global nature of modernism. A selection of contemporary works that respond to modernist movements will also be shown. 

Many of the artists, including Andy Warhol, Helen Frankenthaler, Jules Olitski, Gerhard Richter, and Mark Rothko are well known while others are still yet to be broadly recognized such as Tomie Ohtake, Rubem Valentim, Gene Davis and Kazuo Nakamura. A particular focus will be Canadian artists including Alex Colville, Rita Letendre, Jack Bush, Agnes Martin, Guido Molinari and Norval Morrisseau.

Moments in Modernism features artworks that will form the cornerstone for the expansion of the new Dani Reiss Modern and Contemporary Gallery, starting construction in 2024.  The new building is being designed by architects Diamond Schmitt, Selldorf Architects and Two Row Architect to showcase the AGO's growing collection of modern and contemporary art.


ARTWORKS FROM THE EXHIBITION

Andy Warhol. Elvis I and II, 1964. 4 Figures stand holding a gun out in front of them

Andy Warhol. Elvis I and II, 1964. Silkscreen ink and spray paint (silver canvas); silkscreen ink and acrylic (blue canvas) on linen, Panel: 208.3 × 208.3 cm. Art Gallery of Ontario. Gift from the Women's Committee Fund, 1966. © The Andy Warhol Foundation for the Visual Arts, Inc., Artists Rights Society, New York / CARCC, Ottawa (2023). 65/35

Moments in Modernism artworks slideshow
Rita Letendre, Klingit

Rita Letendre. Klingit, 1973. Acrylic on canvas, 152.4 × 101.6 cm. Art Gallery of Ontario. Purchase with assistance from the Beryl Ivey Fund, 2017. © Estate of Rita Letendre. 2017/11

Moments in Modernism artworks slideshow
Alex Colville. Woman in Bathtub

Alex Colville. Woman in Bathtub, 1973. Acrylic polymer emulsion, 87.8 x 87.6 cm. Art Gallery of Ontario. Purchase with assistance from Wintario, 1978. © A.C. Fine Art Inc. 78/124

Moments in Modernism artworks slideshow


PAST EVENTS - use this one

PAST EVENTS

Talks
Ray Cronin on Alex Colville
Wednesday, April 9, 7 pm 2025
Sold Out
Talks
Mark Rothko and the Inner World
Sunday, January 19, 2 pm, 2025

Join writer and psychologist Christopher Rothko for a talk about the work and legacy of Mark Rothko (1903–1970), the world-renowned icon of Abstract Expressionism.

Talks
In the Archives: The Genesis of the Jack Bush Catalogue Raisonné
Wednesday November 27, 2024 7PM

This fall marks the publication of the Jack Bush Catalogue Raisonné, a pinnacle of Canadian art publishing that includes a comprehensive accounting of every p

Talks
Ellsworth Kelly: Curator’s Talk
Friday November 15, 7 pm, 2024

Join Carter Foster, in conversation with Stephan Jost, about the life and work of American painter, sculptor, and printmaker Ellsworth Kelly (1923-2015), including Austin—the building envisioned by

Talks
Celebrating Jack Bush
Wednesday, October 30, 7 pm, 2024

Join the AGO in celebrating the publication Jack Bush Painting: A Catalogue Raisonné.

Workshops
Seniors Social: The Artist's Process
Tuesday, October 8, 1 pm, 2024

Join us for our Seniors Social and ignite new connections.

Workshops
Seniors Social: Moments in Modernism
Tuesday, June 11, 1 pm

Make new artistic connections and spark conversations. Join us for our Seniors Social: an engaging monthly workshop series for older adults.

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