Remembering Acclaimed American Painter Chuck Close
Known for his giant hyper-realist paintings of faces, Close kept painting even after a stroke left him partially paralyzed. Close died Aug. 19. Originally broadcast in 1998.
Fine Art
Remembering Hung Liu, A Portraitist Who Memorialized The Invisible
A career retrospective for the Oakland-based Chinese-American painter, who died on Aug. 7, opens at the National Portrait Gallery on August 27.
Chuck Close, Creator Of Gigantic Portraits, Has Died At 81
Chuck Close, who was known for his giant photorealist portraits of friends and colleagues in the art world, has died at the age of 81. Late in life, Close faced accusations of sexual harassment.
The Late Winfred Rembert Documented His Life With Art
Winfred Rembert's paintings reflected slavery's legacy. NPR's Debbie Elliott talks to his wife Patsy Rembert and to Erin Kelly, a Tufts University professor, who was helping with his autobiography.
Bisa Butler's Quilts Feature Designs So Realistic That They're Compared To Paintings
Inspired by iconic black and white photos, Bisa Butler has created life-size portraits of African Americans in quilts that explode with color. The exhibit is on display at Chicago's Art Institute.
At This Baltimore Museum, Security Guards Will Be The Ones Curating The Exhibit
Opening in March 2022, the new "Guarding the Art" exhibit will feature hidden gems selected by the museum's own security guards.
A Story Of War, Theft And A Beautiful Woman, Back In The U.S. After 70+ Years
After World War II, 202 paintings stolen by the Nazis toured the U.S. Now, the Cincinnati Art Museum has four of them back on view in the exhibition "Paintings, Politics and the Monuments Men."
In New York City, A Juneteenth Event Examines The Meaning Of Freedom
Lincoln Center observes Juneteenth, now a federal holiday, with "I Dream a Dream That Dreams Back at Me," an ambulatory experience conceived by Carl Hancock Rux.
What's Ahead For The Group That Approves U.S. Arts Projects, From Monuments To Coins
The U.S. Commission of Fine Arts meets today to review designs for all kinds of American cultural symbols. It's the first such meeting for four new commissioners recently appointed by President Biden.
Metropolitan Museum of Art Sends Three Benin Bronzes Home To Nigeria
The plaques, produced in what is now Nigeria, were looted during the British military occupation and have been in museums and a private collection since 1897.