Frank Stella's Diné Textile Collection Unveiled in NYC

The late Frank Stella's collection of 40 Diné textiles from the 19th and 20th centuries is on display for the first time at Arader Galleries in New York City through June 10, ahead of its upcoming sale. Organized by Peter Pap, the exhibition also includes a selection of Stella's early geometric drawings, highlighting the connection between Diné weaving and his visual language. Stella acquired most of the collection in the mid-1960s through Tony Berlant, introduced by Donald Judd. His wife Harriet McGurk noted Stella rarely exhibited the textiles, using them personally. The collection features Germantown-style blankets and Eyedazzler textiles, characterized by bold colors and optical patterns, emerging after the 1864 deportation of the Diné to Bosque Redondo. Curator Jill Ahlberg Yohe's research emphasizes that Stella's holdings prioritize creative innovation over traditional benchmarks. The show will move to Pap's store in Dublin, New Hampshire, with a symposium on July 12 led by Ahlberg Yohe and Jamie Powell.