The Zimmerli Art Museum, nestled on the campus of Rutgers University in New Jersey, has recently been the recipient of an extraordinary gift - a collection of over 70 modern and contemporary artworks. This donation, made by philanthropists Anne and Arthur Goldstein, is a testament to their long-standing relationship with the museum and their vision for the future of their collection.
Arthur Goldstein, reflecting on their decision, shared with The Art Newspaper, "Like many collectors, Anne and I have reached a point where we're contemplating the legacy of our collection and its impact. We knew that these works would find a home at the Zimmerli, where they would continue to inspire and be appreciated by future generations."
The Goldsteins' generosity is not new to the Zimmerli. Over the years, they have donated over 160 works by renowned artists, many of whom were previously absent from the museum's collection. This includes artists like Cindy Sherman, Hannah Wilke, and Robert Rauschenberg, whose works now form a significant part of the museum's holdings.
One of the most intriguing aspects of this gift is Arthur Goldstein's personal connection to the museum's Japanese art collection. Inspired by this, he included a favorite painting, "New York M-33" (1966) by Takeshi Kawashima, which seamlessly blends Japanese iconography with American artistic movements. Goldstein notes, "The Zimmerli already had works by artists featured in the landmark MoMA exhibition, but Kawashima was missing. Now, they have a truly exceptional piece."
Among the highlights of the donation are Mark Bradford's acclaimed series "Miss China Silk" (2005), Hedda Sterne's unique double-sided trace monotype, and works by contemporary artists like Polly Apfelbaum and Juliana Huxtable.
The Goldsteins, with a background in real estate, began collecting art in the early 1990s and have generously donated works to several prestigious institutions. Maura Reilly, director of the Zimmerli Art Museum, emphasizes the trust the Goldsteins have placed in the museum, "Every gift reflects their confidence in our ability to care for and showcase these works, making them accessible to the public and utilizing them for teaching and research."
Works from this donation will be featured in the upcoming exhibition "Mashup: New Acquisitions from the Zimmerli," opening in February 2027. This exhibition promises to explore new narratives and conversations within the realm of contemporary art. Jeremiah William McCarthy, the museum's chief curator, highlights the exciting questions this gift raises, "What does postwar abstraction look like with Hedda Sterne at its core? How does Andy Warhol's legacy evolve through the lens of Troy Lamarr Chew II? These are the kinds of conversations we aim to spark."
The exhibition will also feature works donated by the Alex Katz Foundation in 2024, creating an intriguing dialogue between these two significant collections. McCarthy adds, "The beauty of these gifts is their diversity, yet they complement each other perfectly. The Goldstein collection, in particular, challenges traditional American art narratives by embracing a wide range of media and artistic practices."
This generous donation by Anne and Arthur Goldstein not only enriches the Zimmerli Art Museum's collection but also opens up new avenues for exploration and interpretation within the world of modern and contemporary art.
