Wisconsin Triennial

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Gina Litherland

The celebration of Wisconsin’s artistic talents kicks off with hors d’oeuvres and live DJ mixes to accompany the art. Taking place only once every three years, the Triennial is a survey of Wisconsin’s collective contributions to the visual art world. Ranging from sculptures to screenprinting, photography to paintings, each piece of art in the collection was selected by a rigorous vetting process and is truly a work to behold.

press release: Main Galleries • October 19, 2019 through February 16, 2020. MMoCA Opening Reception • Friday, October 18 • 6–9 pm

GALLERY VISIT WITH TOMIKO JONES,Sunday, February 16 • 3-5 pm: Join artist Tomiko Jones in the second-floor main galleries to view Hatsubon, a memorial and photographic installation. Jones will be in the gallery on Sunday afternoon to offer informal walkthroughs, spontaneous conversations, and answer questions about her work on the final day of the Wisconsin Triennial.

The Madison Museum of Contemporary Art’s Wisconsin Triennial, a highly anticipated exhibition that charts the latest art being made across the state, will feature works by 32 individual artists and two groups of artists working in collaboration. Paintings, drawings, prints, photographs, sculpture, and video are among the media represented, reflecting the diversity of approaches artists undertake in their explorations of process and content. MMoCA’s curatorial staff selected new works of art by established and emerging artists through a rigorous review process, organizing an exhibition that will provide audiences with a visually engaging and thought-provoking experience.

This year's Wisconsin Triennial will open with a reception beginning at 6 pm on Friday, October 18. The exhibition will be on view in the museum's lobby, State Street Gallery, Imprint Gallery, main galleries, and rooftop sculpture garden through February 16, 2020. A cornerstone of MMoCA's exhibition programming, the Triennial captures the richness and variety of artistic expressions across the state, and showcases emerging ideas being addressed within the contemporary art world while also honoring artists who engage with timeless themes, technques, and materials. 

Artists participating in the 2019 Wisconsin Triennial include: Saif Alsaegh (Milwaukee); Emily Arthur (Madison); Tom Berenz (Milwaukee); Timothy Brenner (Madison); Jennifer Bucheit (Middleton); Ed Erdmann (Menomonie); Marianne Fairbanks (Madison); Ben Grant (Milwaukee); Rachel Griffin (Madison); Helen Hawley (Madison); John Himmelfarb (Spring Green); John Hitchcock (Madison); Jon Horvath (Waukesha); Chele Isaac (Madison); Tomiko Jones (Madison); Tom Jones (Madison); Diane Levesque (Kenosha); Gina Litherland (Cedarburg); Dakota Mace (Madison); Francisco Mora (Fox Point); Stephen Perkins (Madison); Jeffrey Repko (Madison); Suzanne Rose (Forestville); Andy Rubin (Madison); Dane Schumacher (Green Bay); Peter Schwei (Dodgeville); Anders Shafer (Eau Claire); Pranav Sood (Madison); Spatula and Barcode (Madison); SPOOKY BOOBS (Madison); Ariana Vaeth (Shorewood); Leslie Vansen (Milwaukee); Shane Walsh (Milwaukee); Della Wells (Milwaukee).

MMoCA’s Triennial jury is comprised of Mel Becker Solomon, curator of the collection; Leah Kolb, curator of exhibitions; Sheri Castelnuovo, curator of education; and Stephen Fleischman, the Gabriele Haberland director. The jury process involved a careful review of material submitted by hundreds of artists, followed by visits to over 70 artist studios across the state.

The 2019 Wisconsin Triennial serves as a platform to engender and celebrate artistic invention, and stands as a testament to the dedication and sophistication of the artists working throughout the state. Approximately two-thirds are participating in the Triennial for the first time, with the final roster including a diverse mix of artists at all points in their careers, from professional artists with national reputations to current BFA students.

MMoCA is closed every year on the following holidays: Martin Luther King Jr. Day, Easter, Memorial Day, Independence Day, Labor Day, Thanksgiving, Christmas Eve day, Christmas, New Year’s Eve, and New Year’s Day. Call the museum at 608.257.0158 to confirm dates and times.