About
Angels, watchful faces and kaleidoscopic patterns fill the Whitney's retrospective of visionary North Carolina artist Minnie Evans.
Minnie Evans made her first drawing in 1935 after the death of her grandmother, then spent decades filling paper with angels, mythical creatures and dense, radiant patterns drawn from dreams, Afro-Caribbean heritage and the gardens of Wilmington, North Carolina. The Whitney gave her a solo show in 1975, and this retrospective brings her back five decades later. If you love color and art that feels like a private universe, go.
What to expect
The eighth-floor galleries hold drawings, paintings and collages spanning her career, many small and intricately layered. Imagery mixes religion, mythology, popular culture and plants, with a quiet undercurrent of disquiet beneath the symmetry. The museum runs related programs such as drop-in artmaking, so check the Whitney calendar before you go.
Good to know
- Located on Floor 8, the top gallery floor
- Works are detailed and often small, so bring patience for close looking
- Families can check the Whitney calendar for Open Studio artmaking linked to the show
- Nearest subway is the A/C/E or L at 14th Street–Eighth Avenue
- Organized by the High Museum of Art, Atlanta
Common questions
Who was Minnie Evans?
A self-taught visionary artist from Wilmington, North Carolina (1892–1987) whose work drew on dreams, religion and nature.
What does 'the lost world' refer to?
Evans used the phrase for a protective spiritual realm she imagined existing before the biblical flood.
Is there a family activity?
The Whitney has scheduled Open Studio artmaking tied to the show; check the museum calendar for upcoming sessions.