Pat Phillips' 'Prime Mover' Debuts at MOCAD
The Museum of Contemporary Art Detroit (MOCAD) is showcasing 'Prime Mover,' marking the inaugural solo museum exhibition of Pat Phillips, an artist from Pennsylvania. This exhibition is part of MOCAD's twentieth anniversary celebrations and will be open from July 11 to September 20, 2026. Phillips’ artwork delves into themes of race, labor, class, and power, utilizing everyday visual elements. Influenced by his working-class roots in Louisiana, he repurposes items such as uniforms, tools, and automobiles to reflect the Black experience. The automobile symbolizes both aspiration and migration, connecting the American South to Detroit’s industrial essence and the narrative of the Great Migration. A significant triptych anchors the show, prompting a deeper introspection of painting as a medium. Through repetition and gesture, Phillips highlights artistic creation as a form of resistance and innovation, emphasizing Black creativity's role in reshaping traditional frameworks.
Key facts
- Pat Phillips is a Pennsylvania-based artist.
- 'Prime Mover' is Phillips' first solo museum exhibition.
- The exhibition is at the Museum of Contemporary Art Detroit (MOCAD).
- It runs from 11 July to 20 September 2026.
- The exhibition is part of MOCAD's twentieth anniversary programme.
- Phillips draws from his upbringing in Louisiana.
- The automobile motif connects the American South with Detroit's industrial identity.
- A monumental triptych anchors the exhibition.
Entities
Artists
- Pat Phillips
Institutions
- Museum of Contemporary Art Detroit (MOCAD)
Locations
- Detroit
- United States
- Pennsylvania
- Louisiana
- American South