Ed Ruscha and Ron Cooper's Road Trip Through the American West at Amarillo Museum of Art
On view until August 30, 2026, the Amarillo Museum of Art (AMoA) features "Stations Words | Bars Cars," a dual exhibition that showcases Ed Ruscha's prints alongside Ron Cooper's plexiglass reliefs. Curated by Alex Gregory, this display commemorates the 100th anniversary of Route 66 while delving into the essence of American car culture. Gregory's journey from Ruscha's studio in Los Angeles to Amarillo informed the installation. Known for his text-centric landscapes, Ruscha's works include "Standard Station (Amarillo, Texas)" and "Twentysix Gasoline Stations" (1963). Cooper, a figure in California's Light and Space movement, presents minimalist columns inspired by door frames. The exhibition also features four classic cars from Cooper’s extensive collection, enhancing the conceptual dialogue.
Key facts
- Exhibition "Stations Words | Bars Cars" at Amarillo Museum of Art (AMoA) through August 30, 2026.
- Features works by Ed Ruscha and Ron Cooper, curated by Alex Gregory.
- Celebrates the 100th anniversary of Route 66.
- Gregory drove from Ruscha's LA studio to Amarillo to pick up works, influencing installation.
- Ruscha's works include prints and photographs, including 'Standard Station (Amarillo, Texas)' and 'Twentysix Gasoline Stations'.
- Cooper's plexiglass bars are coated in automotive paint and inspired by door frames.
- Four classic cars from Cooper's collection of nearly 70 are included.
- Both artists attended Chouinard Art Institute (now CalArts).
- Ruscha's experimental printmaking since 1969 includes works like 'Ghost Station', an inkless relief print.
- Gregory's installation references Barnett Newman's 'The Stations of the Cross' and highway perspective.
Entities
Artists
- Ed Ruscha
- Ron Cooper
- Robert Smithson
- Terry Allen
- Jun Kaneko
- Larry Bell
- Ken Price
- Chuck Jones
- Robert Irwin
- Barnett Newman
- Claude Monet
Institutions
- Amarillo Museum of Art
- Chouinard Art Institute
- CalArts
- Glasstire
Locations
- Amarillo
- United States
- Austin
- Texas
- New Mexico
- Arizona
- Oklahoma City
- Oklahoma
- Los Angeles
- California
- Chicago
- Illinois
- Big Bend
- Palo Duro Canyon
- Route 66