By Kathy Chouteau
Marlon Mullen, an accomplished artist at NIAD Art Center in Richmond since 1986, was featured in a solo exhibition, “Projects: Marlon Mullen,” at the Museum of Modern Art (MoMA) in New York City. The exhibition marked MoMA’s first solo exhibition for an artist with intellectual and developmental disabilities.
Mullen, a Richmond native, exhibited 25 works of art at the preeminent American museum in midtown Manhattan over Dec. 14, 2024 through this past weekend. NIAD Executive Director Amanda Eicher and her team worked with The Marie-Josée and Henry Kravis Chief Curator of Painting and Sculpture Ann Temkin and Curatorial Associate Alexandra Morrison on developing Mullen’s exhibition.
“The exhibition was ‘a significant milestone for the contemporary art world.'”
NIAD’s Eicher said the exhibition was “a significant milestone for the contemporary art world,” and it brought a new kind of attention—locally and internationally—to the art center’s studios and the work they do. She said the spot where Mullen exhibited, MoMA’s Projects gallery, is one of the museum’s most innovative spaces and was open to the public free of charge, making his work highly accessible.
Mullen’s exhibition at MoMA featured his vibrant works with lush surfaces and bold color, which expand upon the long tradition of making art about art, according to the museum. The artist drew inspiration from donated art publications, such as Art in America and Artforum, for his primary subject matter, with his exhibition offering a selection of his stand-out, acrylic paintings over the last decade.
“I was blown away by the work,” said Sam Singer, president of Bay Area-based Singer Associates Public Relations, who visited Mullen’s exhibition at MoMA this past week. “Just wonderful, stunning, and a treat to see that a Richmond artist is featured so prominently at the nation’s most important modern and contemporary art museum.” Calling Mullen “an inspiration,” Singer said he has a bold take on graphics and text and that his works and the exhibition stood out in a singular way at MoMA. “Bravo.”
Eicher relayed that the artist is deeply dedicated to his art practice, and this recognition of and response to his work is profoundly meaningful for him. She said that Mullen spent the opening week of the exhibition in New York City, meeting with collectors, gallerists, curator and friends of NIAD, then returning to the studio with “characteristic dedication to creating new work.”
Marlon doesn’t appear ruffled by the considerable fanfare, Eicher added. On the contrary, he has welcomed the interest with a sense of calm appreciation. And Marlon does love a good opening reception.
While most of the artworks from Mullen’s exhibition are returning to lenders and collections, according to NIAD, a few will go back into his inventory. The artist is represented on the West Coast by Adams and Ollman Gallery in Portland, and on the East Coast by Bridget Donahue Gallery in New York City. Sales of Mullen’s art are coordinated by these galleries, but those interested can also contact NIAD with inquiries to be connected to the proper person.
“We work together to support Marlon’s practice, and each of us is a great starting place for conversations on Marlon’s work,” said Eicher. Check out a video of Mullen preparing for his recent MoMA exhibition, with more information here.
