Louise Bourgeois: What is the Shape of This Problem presents 119 works focusing on prints, textiles, and a series of eight holograms, ranging in date from the 1940s to the early 2000s. This exhibition examines the emotional terrains found in Bourgeois’ practice, including her feelings of isolation, anger, and fear as depicted through images of the body, childhood, family, architecture, and the passage of time.
Bourgeois described her relationship to making art as one of survival and dependence. Throughout her life, she struggled with trauma and anxiety, and in addition to therapy, she found solace in writing and art. She aptly coined the now famous phrase: “Art is a guarantee of sanity.”
The exhibition will open to the Portland State University community on August 31 and to the general public on September 30 as part of the university’s welcome back to campus.
“I am so pleased to present work by Louise Bourgeois as our first exhibition this academic year,” said Maryanna G. Ramirez, the director of JSMA at PSU, “as we’ve all gone through a collective trauma over the past year and a half, this exhibition is incredibly timely. Bourgeois was exploring issues surrounding mental health in her art and writings, and this exhibition provides us with a platform to discuss these issues with our PSU community.”
Jordan D. Schnitzer shares, “I hope that everyone in the community in Portland has the opportunity to visit to understand why Louise Bourgeois is recognized as one of the most important artists of our time.”
Louise Bourgeois (American, born France, 1911-2010) was born in Paris, France and began her career working in her parents' tapestry shop, where she would draw missing portions of scenes in tapestries. While she is known for her monumental spider sculptures, Bourgeois’ early introduction to textiles and drawing remained an essential part of her practice. Included in the exhibition are several well-known series of print and textile works, including: Ode à Ma Mère (Ode to My Mother), 1995, a wonderful exploration of the artist’s most recognized and iconic motif – the spider; Ode à l'Oubli (Ode to Forgetting), 2004 her first fabric book created from her garments, and He Disappeared into Complete Silence (1947/2005), an early illustrated book of nine engravings that depict Bourgeois’ intense reaction to New York’s architecture upon her arrival to the city in 1938.
This exhibition is curated by Naomi Potter, Director/Curator, Esker Foundation, Calgary, and organized by the Jordan D. Schnitzer Family Foundation and the Esker Foundation.
Welcome Back Reception, Thursday, September 30, 2021, from 4:00 - 7:00 pm
Join us as we welcome our university and Portland community back to campus and the JSMA. This will be the first public event at the museum in over a year.
Weave/Repair, Saturdays, 12-4 pm, October 2, 9, 16, and 23
In recognition of Bourgeois’ deep knowledge of textiles and coinciding with Portland’s Textile Month, the museum will be partnering with PSU’s Textile Arts program to invite the public to weave collective cloths in three different scales. Participants are invited to bring yarn, fabric, and clothing to incorporate in one of three loom structures.
Artist Talks, Select Tuesdays in October
Tuesday, October 12 | Srijon Chowdhury
Tuesday, October 19 | Ellen Lesperance
Tuesday, October 26 | Jovencio de la Paz
Join us for a series of talks with three Oregon artists recently added to the PSU Art Collection and whose work touches on themes and materials found in Louise Bourgeois: What is the Shape of This Problem. Support for this series of talks is provided by The Ford Family Foundation. Check out our website for more upcoming events.
About the Jordan Schnitzer Family Foundation
At age 14, Jordan D. Schnitzer bought his first work of art from his mother’s Portland, Oregon contemporary art gallery, evolving into a lifelong avocation as collector. He began collecting contemporary prints and multiples in earnest in 1988. Today, the collection exceeds 19,000 works and includes many of today’s most important contemporary artists. It has grown to be one of the country’s largest private print collections. He generously lends work from his collection to qualified institutions. The Foundation has organized over 110 exhibitions and has had art exhibited at over 160 museums. Mr. Schnitzer is also President of Harsch Investment Properties, a privately owned real estate investment company based in Portland, Oregon, owning and managing office, multi-tenant industrial, multi-family and retail properties in six western states. For more information about the Jordan Schnitzer Family Foundation, please visit jordanschnitzer.org.
About JSMA at PSU
Located in downtown Portland on the South Park Blocks, the Jordan Schnitzer Museum of Art at Portland State University opened its 7,500 square foot space in November 2019. Developed as a cultural hub for university students, the Portland community, and visitors to the city, the museum aspires to make art and culture accessible to new audiences through engaging programs and exhibitions that feature local, national, and international artists. The museum provides free admission year-round to all visitors.
Hours
Open to PSU Community on August 31, Tuesday-Thursday, 11-5 pm
Open to the general public on September 30, Tuesday-Saturday, 11-5 pm, Thursdays 11-7 pm
Please check the website for updates.