As the autumn leaves begin to fall, the art world comes alive with a vibrant array of exhibitions, offering a captivating journey through diverse artistic expressions. September brings forth a rich tapestry of creativity, with galleries and museums across the globe hosting thought-provoking showcases. These exhibitions delve into the realms of history, culture, identity, and innovation, each offering a unique perspective and a chance to delve deeper into the human experience.

“ONLY THE YOUNG: EXPERIMENTAL ART IN KOREA, 1960s-1970s” (Sept. 1-Jan. 7, 2024; Solomon R. Guggenheim Museum)

Step into the transformative post-war era of South Korea through the lens of young artists who defied conventions to reshape the art world. This exhibition features around eighty works, including performance, installation, photography, and video art, as these experimental artists explored individualism in a rapidly modernizing world. Witness how they harnessed the power of art to challenge tradition and redefine twentieth-century avant-garde practices.

“JA’TOVIA GARY: THE GIVERNY SUIT” (Opens Sept. 1; Museum of Modern Art)

“The Giverny Suit” is a cinematic masterpiece advocating for the safety and autonomy of Black women. Filmed in the vibrant settings of Harlem and Claude Monet’s serene gardens in Giverny, this artwork combines hand-painted film animation and montage editing to deliver a powerful message. It seamlessly weaves together street interviews, influential figures, antique furniture, and Yoruba deity altars, showcasing the transformative potential of art to turn pain into beauty and instruction.

“HIDDEN HISTORIES” (Sept. 2-Sept. 27, 2025; Museum of Fine Arts, Houston)

Unconventional approaches to memory and history unite in this incisive exhibition, creating a gathering of “anti-monuments.” A diverse, multigenerational group of artists from around the world challenge established narratives and redefine the way we remember and commemorate the past.

“LIFE CYCLES: THE MATERIALS OF CONTEMPORARY DESIGN” (Sept. 2-July 7, 2024; MoMA)

Prepare to be astonished by the innovative ecological designs showcased in this exhibition. Speaker casings crafted from Indonesian cow manure and vases constructed by bees exemplify nature’s own cycles of obsolescence and decay. It’s a testament to the ingenuity of contemporary design in harmony with the environment.

“DAN FRIEDMAN: STAY RADICAL” (Sept. 2-Feb. 4, 2024; Art Institute of Chicago)

Explore the graphic design legacy of Dan Friedman, an artist who used his skills to confront apartheid in South Africa and the AIDS crisis. This retrospective offers a glimpse into his influential work, celebrating his commitment to social change through design.

“IN A NEW LIGHT: AMERICAN IMPRESSIONISM 1870-1940” (Sept. 5-Nov. 22; National Arts Club)

More than 130 paintings by luminaries like Childe Hassam and John Sloan take center stage in this exploration of American Impressionism. Immerse yourself in the captivating landscapes and scenes that defined a pivotal era in American art.

“MELLÁNY SÁNCHEZ: OBJECTS OF PERMANENCE” (Sept. 6-14; Abrons Art Center)

Fashion and history converge in this exhibition, as fashion designers create an archive dedicated to real and imagined garment workers. Historical objects from the Tenement Museum enrich the narrative, making it a timely prelude to Fashion Week.

“FRED EVERSLEY: PARABOLIC LIGHT” (Sept. 7; Doris C. Freedman Plaza in Central Park)

Experience the radiance of Fred Eversley’s 12-foot-high “cylindrical lens” sculpture, marking the West Coast Light and Space veteran’s first public artwork in New York City.

“THE FACADE COMMISSION: NAIRY BAGHRAMIAN” (Sept. 7-May 28, 2024; the Metropolitan Museum of Art)

Discover the abstract treatments of the body by Iranian-German sculptor Nairy Baghramian, the fourth contemporary artist to grace the Met’s highly visible facade.

“MICHAEL RICHARDS: ARE YOU DOWN?” (Sept. 8-Jan. 7, 2024; Bronx Museum of the Arts)

The first museum retrospective for sculptor Michael Richards, whose work centered on Black struggle and the Tuskegee Airmen. Richards tragically perished in the World Trade Center during the events of September 11, 2001.

“THE ARMORY SHOW” (Sept. 8-10; the Javits Center)

Prepare for an immersive experience as over 800 modern and contemporary artists come together in this colossal gathering, housed within the expansive Javits Center.

“PHOTOFAIRS NEW YORK” (Sept. 8-10; the Javits Center)

A new contemporary art fair explores the realms of photography, digital art, and new media, offering a fresh perspective on visual storytelling.

“MICKALENE THOMAS/ PORTRAIT OF AN UNLIKELY SPACE” (Sept. 8-Jan. 7, 2024; Yale University Art Gallery)

Mickalene Thomas shifts from her high-glamour Black women portraits to a multi-gallery installation evoking pre-Emancipation-era domestic settings. The exhibition includes period-appropriate rooms with furniture and historic portraits, connecting past and present around identity and equity.

“ED RUSCHA/NOW THEN” (Sept. 10-Jan. 13, 2024; MoMA)

Embark on a comprehensive journey through the six-decade career of Ed Ruscha, featuring more than 250 objects that span his diverse artistic endeavors.

“ABRAHAM ÁNGEL: BETWEEN WONDER AND SEDUCTION” (Sept. 10-Jan. 28, 2024; Dallas Museum of Art)

Explore the tender and expressive paintings of the queer Mexican artist Abraham Ángel, who left a lasting artistic legacy despite his untimely passing at the age of 19.

“FOOD & FASHION” (Sept. 13-Nov. 26; Museum at FIT)

Exhibition explores the impact of food on fashion from the 18th century to today, featuring over 80 garments and accessories. It delves into topics like consumerism, gender, sustainability, activism, and body politics, offering a unique perspective on the intersection of food and fashion, with standout pieces such as Comme des Garçons’ spring 2018 dress featuring Giuseppe Arcimboldo’s 1590 food portrait of Emperor Rudolf II and Issey Miyake’s 20th-anniversary “bento box” of pleated accessories rolled as sushi.

“PICASSO: A CUBIST COMMISSION IN BROOKLYN” (Sept. 14-Jan. 14, 2024; the Met)

Delve into the world of Picasso and his decorative commission for American artist Hamilton Easter Field. This exhibition unveils six paintings and archival materials that shed light on this lesser-known aspect of Picasso’s career.

“MULTIPLICITY: BLACKNESS IN CONTEMPORARY AMERICAN COLLAGE” (Sept. 15-Dec. 31; Frist Art Museum, Nashville)

Over 50 artists, including Howardena Pindell, Tschsabalala Self, and Kahlil Robert Irving, investigate the complex terrain of Black identity through the medium of collage.

“A LONG ARC: PHOTOGRAPHY AND THE AMERICAN SOUTH SINCE 1845” (Sept. 15-Jan. 14, 2024; High Museum of Art, Atlanta)

This photographic survey offers a window into the intricate tapestry of the American South, spanning from pre-Civil War times to the present.

“YVETTE MAYORGA: DREAMING OG YOU” (Sept. 15-March 17, 2024; Aldrich Contemporary Art Museum)

Yvette Mayorga’s exhibition offers a unique exploration of her art. Using bubblegum-pink acrylic paint applied with bakery-grade piping bags, the Chicago-based artist challenges traditional notions of femininity. Her work draws from personal narratives and her family’s Mexican-American heritage, with her mother’s experience as a department store baker influencing the frosting-like finish of her intricate candied reliefs. Mayorga’s art delves into the complexities of the Latinx diaspora, touching on issues like border control and labor, all while reimagining Western art historical themes.

“COMPOSING COLOR: PAINTINGS BY ALMA THOMAS” (Sept. 15-June 2, 2024; Smithsonian American Art Museum)

Explore the luminous abstractions of Alma Thomas, a Washington, D.C., schoolteacher who embarked on her artistic journey upon retirement.

“RUTH ASAWA: THROUGH LINE” (Sept. 16-Jan. 15, 2024; Whitney Museum of American Art)
A decade after her passing, Ruth Asawa’s artistic legacy is celebrated with an extensive showcase of her sketchbooks, collages, folded paper works, and more.

“THE WORLD MADE WONDROUS: THE DUTCH COLLECTOR’S CABINET AND THE POLITICS OF POSSESSION” (Sept. 17-March 3, 2024; LACMA)

Delve into the fascinating world of a fictional 17th-century collector’s cabinet, offering insights into European colonialism and the evolution of museums.

“BARKLEY L. HENDRICKS: PORTRAITS AT THE FRICK” (Sept. 21-Jan. 7, 2024; Frick Collection)

Witness the pioneering work of Barkley L. Hendricks, a trailblazer in 20th-century Black portraiture, as his art meets the masters of the Renaissance.

“CHRISTIAN WALKER: THE PROFANE AND THE POIGNANT” (Sept. 22-Jan. 7, 2024; Leslie-Lohman Museum of Art)

Experience the evocative photography of Christian Walker, whose formal experiments explored themes of race and sexuality.

“WALL DRAWING SERIES: MARC BAUER” (Sept. 22-Fall 2024; Menil Collection, Houston)

Marvel at the “ephemeral wall drawings” of Swiss artist Marc Bauer, whose graphite-smudged creations come to life on the gallery walls.

“GROUNDSWELL: WOMEN OF LAND ART” (Sept. 23-Jan. 7, 2024; Nasher Sculpture Center, Dallas)

Explore the pioneering work of women in the world of Land Art, a movement traditionally associated with male practitioners.

“MANET/DEGAS” (Sept. 24-Jan. 7, 2024; the Met)

Dive into the life-shaping conversations between two 19th-century French painters, Edouard Manet and Edgar Degas, whose innovative approaches helped usher in modern art.

“THE BEST-READ ARMY IN THE WORLD” (Sept. 27-Dec. 30; Grolier Club)

Delve into the literary history of World War II as this exhibition explores the distribution of over 123 million books and a billion periodicals to American servicemen in special pocket-size editions.

“A GLORIOUS BEWILDERMENT: MARIE MENKEN’S VISUAL VARIATIONS ON NOGUCHI” (Sept. 27-Feb. 4, 2024; Noguchi Museum)

Experience the avant-garde filmmaker Marie Menken’s unique vision through her abstract studio visit to Noguchi’s atelier, featuring a 1953 score by Lucia Długoszewski.

“SIGHTLINES ON PEACE, POWER AND PRESTIGE: METAL ARTS IN AFRICA” (Sept. 29-Dec. 31; Bard Graduate Center)

This innovative exhibition showcases historic African metalwork alongside contemporary works, providing a fresh perspective on African art and history.

“MURIEL HASBUN: TRACING TERRUÑO” (Sept. 29-Jan. 8, 2024; International Center of Photography)

Discover the thought-provoking work of Muriel Hasbun, a multidisciplinary artist who uses archival documents, dental X-rays, and photography to explore the effects of loss and dislocation.

“IMPOSSIBLE MUSIC” (Sept. 30-Dec. 10; Miller ICA at Carnegie Mellon University, Pittsburgh)

Music and sculpture converge in this group exhibition curated by Candice Hopkins, Raven Chacon, and Stavia Grimani, offering a unique exploration of experimental sound.

“LIGIA LEWIS: STUDY NOW STEADY” (Sept. 30-Feb. 4, 2024; Center for Art, Research and Alliances)

Renowned choreographer Ligia Lewis presents her first bricks-and-mortar exhibition, featuring video installations and live performances that challenge preconceptions about the human body.

“BOHEMIAN OF THE ARROYO SECO: IDAH MEACHAM STROBRIDGE” (Sept. 30-Jan. 13, 2024; UC Irvine Jack and Shanaz Langson Institute and Museum of California Art, Irvine, Calif.)

Take a focused look at the Little Corner of Local Art Gallery in Los Angeles, operated by bookbinder and pioneer of Angeleno visual culture, Idah Meacham Strobridge.

“CY TWOMBLY: MOROCCO 1952/1953” (Sept. 30-Jan. 7, 2024; Virginia Museum of Fine Arts)

Follow Cy Twombly’s transformative journey to Morocco in 1952, a pivotal moment in his life and art history, documented through his work and accompanied by Robert Rauschenberg.

“BRANCUSI: ROMANIAN SOURCES AND UNIVERSAL PERSPECTIVES” (Sept. 30-Jan. 28, 2024; National Museum of Art, Timisoara, Romania)

Discover the profound impact of modernist sculptor Constantin Brancusi as his works return to his homeland through loans from prestigious institutions like the Guggenheim, Tate, and Centre Pompidou.

“ANNIE LEIBOVITZ AT WORK” Leibovitz at Work” (Sept. 16-Jan. 29, 2024; Crystal Bridges Museum of American Art)

Eexhibition showcasing over 100 iconic photographs taken by the photographer throughout her illustrious five-decade career. Leibovitz’s first-ever museum commission, the largest in Crystal Bridges’s history, is a central highlight of the show. Her subjects in this series include influential figures like Lizzo, American artist Simone Leigh, politician and activist Stacey Abrams, and WNBA All-Star Brittney Griner.

These exhibitions offer a wide range of artistic experiences, from exploring historical narratives to contemporary reflections on identity and society. Art enthusiasts have a wealth of options to choose from this September.