Walker Art Center's 'Sculpture Court' Exhibition Explores Architectural History Through Permanent Collection
From October 18, 2025, to August 30, 2026, the Walker Art Center in Minneapolis will host 'Sculpture Court' in Gallery D/Perlman. This exhibition delves into the origins of the sculpture court, tracing back to patrons from the Italian Renaissance, particularly the Medici family. Among the highlighted pieces are Alexander Archipenko's Turning Torso (1921/1959), Elie Nadelman's Figure (circa 1925), and Arlene Burke-Morgan's acclaimed Between Friends (1984). Additional artists featured include David Smith, Jacques Lipchitz, Claes Oldenburg, Charles Ray, Ernest Trova, and Sherrie Levine. The Walker's architectural history encompasses its 1927 structure, the 1971 Barnes building, and the 2005 Perlman Gallery, with context rooted in the American Renaissance and MoMA's 1939 debut. Visitors will have the opportunity to sketch their interpretations of the sculptures.
Key facts
- Exhibition 'Sculpture Court' runs from October 18, 2025, to August 30, 2026 at Walker Art Center
- Features works from the Walker's permanent collection, including pieces by Alexander Archipenko and Elie Nadelman
- Traces sculpture court origins to Italian Renaissance patrons like the Medici family in Florence
- Includes never-before-exhibited work Between Friends (1984) by Arlene Burke-Morgan
- Walker's architectural history spans from 1927 classical building to 2005 expansion by Herzog and de Meuron
- Minneapolis Sculpture Garden opened in 1988 as an outdoor counterpart
- Exhibition encourages visitor sketching with provided materials
- Showcases human figure interpretations in diverse materials from ceramics to glass
Entities
Artists
- Alexander Archipenko
- Elie Nadelman
- Michelangelo
- Donatello
- David Smith
- Jacques Lipchitz
- Claes Oldenburg
- Charles Ray
- Ernest Trova
- Sherrie Levine
- Arlene Burke-Morgan
- Constantin Brancusi
Institutions
- Walker Art Center
- Palazzo di Medici
- Brooklyn Museum of Art
- Metropolitan Museum of Art
- Minneapolis Institute of Arts
- Museum of Modern Art
- Jerome Foundation
- Medici family
Locations
- Minneapolis
- United States
- Florence
- Italy
- France
- Acropolis