ARTFEED — Contemporary Art Intelligence

Jasper Johns: Night Driver at Guggenheim Bilbao

exhibition · 2026-04-21

From May 29 to October 12, 2026, the Museo Guggenheim Bilbao will host 'Jasper Johns: Night Driver', a retrospective overseen by curator Enrique Juncosa. This exhibition showcases nearly 150 pieces, encompassing paintings, sculptures, drawings, prints, an artist's book, and stage design, all displayed in chronological order. Born in Augusta, Georgia, in 1930, Johns relocated to New York, where he formed friendships with Robert Rauschenberg and others. His creation of the first American flag between 1954 and 1955 sparked a series of flat signs. Notable works include 'Flag on Orange Field', 'False Start', and 'Souvenir' (1964), while the exhibition concludes with 'Foirades/Fizzles' (1976), an artist's book co-created with Samuel Beckett, featuring texts and prints by Johns.

Key facts

  • Exhibition 'Jasper Johns: Night Driver' at Museo Guggenheim Bilbao from May 29 to October 12, 2026.
  • Curated by Enrique Juncosa.
  • Nearly 150 works: paintings, sculptures, drawings, prints, an artist's book, and a stage design.
  • Johns destroyed his early work in 1954-1955 to create his first American flag.
  • Success came with a 1958 exhibition at Leo Castelli's gallery; MoMA acquired three works.
  • Works include 'Flag on Orange Field', 'Drawer', 'False Start', 'Target', 'Map', and 'In Memory of My Feelings – Frank O'Hara'.
  • Johns met Marcel Duchamp, a key influence.
  • The exhibition includes 'Foirades/Fizzles' (1976), an artist's book with Samuel Beckett.

Entities

Artists

  • Jasper Johns
  • Enrique Juncosa
  • Robert Rauschenberg
  • John Cage
  • Merce Cunningham
  • Marcel Duchamp
  • Frank O'Hara
  • Toru Takemitsu
  • Edvard Munch
  • Pablo Picasso
  • Frida Kahlo
  • Samuel Beckett
  • Richard Serra
  • Paul Cézanne
  • Willem de Kooning
  • Leo Castelli

Institutions

  • Museo Guggenheim Bilbao
  • Museum of Modern Art (MoMA)
  • Leo Castelli Gallery
  • Museum Ludwig, Cologne
  • The Art Institute of Chicago
  • Museum of Contemporary Art Chicago
  • Stedelijk Museum Amsterdam
  • Kunstmuseum Basel
  • The Eli and Edythe L. Broad Collection
  • Fundación BBVA
  • Museum Ludwig
  • Museum of Modern Art
  • Guggenheim Museum Bilbao
  • BBVA Foundation

Locations

  • Bilbao
  • Spain
  • Augusta
  • Georgia
  • United States
  • New York
  • Paris
  • France
  • Japan
  • Cologne
  • Germany
  • Chicago
  • Amsterdam
  • Netherlands
  • Basel
  • Switzerland
  • Port Arthur
  • Captiva Island
  • Los Angeles
  • Centralia
  • Løten
  • Oslo
  • Norway
  • Málaga
  • Mougins
  • Coyoacán
  • Mexico
  • Colonia
  • Augusta, Georgia
  • South Carolina

Sources