SEATTLE, WA — The Seattle Art Museum (SAM) is bringing together the sculptural visions of two renowned American artists, Thaddeus Mosley and Alexander Calder, in a groundbreaking exhibition that explores the evolution of modern sculpture. Opening November 8, 2023, and running through October 20, 2024, Following Space: Thaddeus Mosley and Alexander Calder presents a unique opportunity to experience the dynamic works of both artists in dialogue.
Thaddeus Mosley, a contemporary sculptor known for his innovative approach to “weight in space,” is celebrated for his large-scale wooden sculptures that challenge traditional ideas of gravity and form. Mosley draws inspiration from modernist aesthetics as well as traditional African wood carvings, particularly those of the Dogon, Senufo, Bamum, and Mossi peoples. Following Space showcases 17 of Mosley’s monumental works, created between 2001 and 2024, in SAM’s double-height galleries, where they are displayed alongside the pioneering works of Alexander Calder.
Calder, one of the most influential artists of the 20th century, revolutionized modern sculpture by introducing movement and time into his pieces. His mobiles and stabiles have become iconic, with works that range from miniature to monumental. Calder: In Motion, drawn from the Shirley Family Calder Collection, traces the trajectory of Calder’s career, offering visitors the chance to engage with major pieces spanning the 1920s to the 1970s. Highlights include Gamma (1947), Bougainvillier (1947), and Toile d’araignée (1965), along with a constellation of his mobiles and stationary stabiles.
This exhibition marks one of the largest and most ambitious shows of Mosley’s work to date and is the first to pair his sculptures with Calder’s. Visitors will be able to experience the interplay between the two artists’ forms in SAM’s expansive galleries, which provide a 360-degree view of the sculptures, allowing for a deep engagement with their movement, texture, and spatial relationships.
The collaboration between Mosley and Calder is made even more significant by the recent gift of the Shirley Family Calder Collection to SAM. The collection, one of the most important private holdings of Calder’s work, was amassed over 35 years by Jon and Kim Shirley. Their generosity is celebrated in Calder: In Motion, which features a non-chronological narrative of Calder’s most significant works across mediums, including mobiles, stabiles, paintings, illustrations, and prints.
In addition to the exhibition, SAM has announced a new era of ongoing programs and exhibitions focused on Calder’s legacy, supported by the Shirley Family’s endowment and annual contributions. These initiatives will extend beyond the museum’s walls, engaging with the broader Seattle community through partnerships at the Olympic Sculpture Park and other locations.
For more information, visit the Seattle Art Museum’s website to learn about exhibition hours, ticketing, and upcoming public programs.
