SCMAinsider

SCMAinsider offers dynamic perspectives on the diverse collections and visions that shape the
Smith College Museum of Art.

We welcome contributions from all members of our community and seek to cultivate a range of
voices and experiences. If you want to contribute to the blog, please contact us at scmacuratorial@smith.edu.

Lilly standing in a black and white tile bathroom and pulling a white, amorphous full-body suit up and over their head.

Welcome Lilly Watson, Our New Assistant Museum Educator

Hello everyone! My name is Lilly Watson (they/them) and I am the new Post Baccalaureate Assistant Museum Educator here at SCMA.

Edvard Munch in Prints

As Munch said of his work, “I paint not what I see but what I saw.” His artwork became a direct outlet for suppressed emotions and anxiety.
woman with straight dark hair tied behind head, parted at center, wearing dark square necked dress with beld standing with hands behind back and feet together on wood floor near wall wiht door visible at her proper right

STUDENT PICKS: The Candid Effect

How are women photographed in public spaces? These photographs cause us to question whether the subjects knew their photograph was being taken and whether they wanted it to be taken and displayed.
A black and white photo of an older woman in formal dress including a short net veil.

The Mystery of Paul Cordes

Despite our significant collection of his work, we have very little information about Paul Cordes' personal life. It seems that the only thing that survives of him is his work.
Photo portrait of a young white boy. His head is turned down but he looks up at the camera. A shadow crosses his face.

STUDENT PICKS: Surreal Reality

These art works represent the artists’ attempts to construct reality in their distinctive flavors and find beauty in the seemingly illogical chaos of the surreal space. They seek to explore the connection and the boundary between reality and illusion.
Two abstracted amphitheaters in black and dark brown set one over the other slightly askew.

STUDENT PICKS: Nearing the Tipping Point

By depicting and critiquing the effects of human activity on the environment, this exhibit present an argument for sustainability and environmental reconciliation.
Image of a distorted landscape: rivers, trees, sky, small houses on a strip of land that slopes downward in a twist.

Announcing the Student Picks 2016-17 Winners!

The 2016-17 Student Picks Sweepstakes ended last week, and now we are announcing our six winners! Stay tuned for these student-curated art shows throughout the academic year.
red bucket containing slips of white paper

Leonard Baskin and Barry Moser

SCMA recently acquired 91 works by Barry Moser, a printmaker at Smith professor. Here, Renee Klann discusses the influence of Leonard Baskin on Moser's work.
head of a man with scribbles all over his face and with a sitting bird over his proper right ear

Student Picks Sweepstakes--Through September 24!

Every year, six Smith students get the chance to curate a one-day show at the Museum, using works from our very own Works on Paper collection. No application necessary--just fill out a ballot and you're good to go.
city street, low shot of seated Great Dane wearing sunglasses near two men in short sleeve shirts sitting on stools and talking in front of a store window

Aaron Siskind and Abstract Expressionist Photography

While Kline and other painters were able to create their own composition, Siskind limited himself to what he found. Yet the way he framed his shots emphasized the smaller markings of an ordinary object, lending an entirely new and decidedly expressionist perspective.
close-up of dark wall with spray painted reversed C at center with arrows pointing to it on top and bottom

August Sander

Known for photographing people from all social and economic circles during the interwar period, Sander worked with his sitters to create an original, iconic image of the person. 
man standing with bent knee, raised shoulder, and flexed hand, wearing white pants and no shirt
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