Exhibition
Boom
Art and Design in the 1940s
Winning the Battle of Production (detail), 1943, by Hugo Gellert (American (born Hungary), 1892–1985) Published by International Workers Order, Inc. New York, 1944-42-1p.
About
The 1940s witnessed major shifts in politics, science, economics, industry, the arts, and culture, which coincided with a time of scarcity, limitation, and the catastrophic global conflict of World War II.
Throughout this tumultuous period, artists brought new ideas to their work across media, from fashion and textiles, craft and design, to printmaking, drawing, photography, painting, and sculpture. Boom: Art and Design in the 1940s will be a testament to the creative spirit that flourished despite the restrictions and adversity of the era.
This exhibition will showcase art from across the decade, featuring works drawn entirely from the museum’s permanent collections.
Image Gallery
Portrait of Jean-Louis
Louise Bourgeois, American (born France), 1911 - 2010
The Park Bench
Horace Pippin, American, 1888 - 1946
Woman's Dinner Jacket
Designed by Elsa Schiaparelli, French (born Italy), 1890 - 1973
Atomic Bomb Explosion
Harold Edgerton, American, 1903 - 1990
Grass-Seated Chair
George Nakashima, American, 1905 - 1990
Curators
Elisabeth Agro, Nancy M. McNeil Curator of Modern and Contemporary Craft and Decorative Arts
Dilys Blum, Jack M. and Annette Y. Friedland Senior Curator of Costume and Textiles
Amanda Bock, Lynne and Harold Honickman Assistant Curator of Photographs
Jessica T. Smith, Director of Curatorial Affairs (Team Lead)
With Lily F. Scott, Exhibition Assistant
Sponsors
This exhibition was made possible by the Annenberg Foundation Fund for Major Exhibitions, Jill and Sheldon Bonovitz Exhibition Fund, Lois G. and Julian A. Brodsky Installation and Exhibition Fund, Laura and William C. Buck Endowment for Exhibitions, the Center for American Art at the Philadelphia Museum of Art, The Women’s Committee of the Philadelphia Museum of Art, Gloria and Jack Drosdick Fund for Special Exhibitions, Zoë S. Pappas, Barbara A. Podell and Mark G. Singer, Garrett G. Snider, and other generous supporters.
All exhibitions at the PMA are underwritten by the Annual Exhibition Fund. Generous support is provided by Andrea Baldeck, M.D.; Julia and David Fleischner; Amy A. Fox and Daniel H. Wheeler; Mrs. Henry F. Harris; Robert Hayes; Mark W. Strong and Dana Strong.