Chris Ofili's 'Night and Day' Exhibition at New Museum Showcases Career Evolution

From October 29, 2014, to January 25, 2015, the New Museum hosted 'Chris Ofili: Night and Day,' marking the artist's first significant solo exhibition in a U.S. museum. Situated at 235 Bowery, New York City, the display included 17 paintings from the 1990s, alongside 26 small watercolors and pencil drawings, as well as various sculptures. The showcase illustrated Ofili's artistic journey, featuring early works like Pimpin' ain't easy (1997) and later creations such as Blue Night Watcher (2006). After relocating to Trinidad in 2006, he produced pieces like Ovid-Actaeon (2011-12) in response to a commission from the National Gallery, London. The exhibition emphasized his intricate ensembles and eclectic inspirations, ranging from hip-hop to Zimbabwean cave art and Blaxploitation cinema.