360: Artists, Critics, Curators - Sally Pemberton and Richard Brettell

The Nasher Sculpture Center brings art world speakers for conversations and lectures about sculptural themes. Learn about the ever-expanding definition of sculpture and the thought-process behind some of today’s most innovative contemporary artwork, architecture and design.

In 1925, no one in New York City was more surprised than Murdock Pemberton—a newspaper reporter, Broadway publicist, playwright, and poet with no formal training in art or connoisseurship—when an upstart magazine, the New Yorker, named him its first art critic. But the keen eye, adventurous taste, crusading spirit, and irreverent wit expressed in his columns soon made him a conquering hero of the avant-garde.

In 2009, while cleaning out her mother’s attic, Murdock’s granddaughter Sally Pemberton stumbled across old suitcases where he had methodically stashed ninety-four years’ worth of exhibition catalogs, clippings, playbills, letters, and. Sally now had enough clues to begin the exhaustive detective work and original research to reconstruct the art critic's career. A sample of her findings include: an interview with Henri Matisse from 1930, historical records confirming that a major French gallery gave her grandfather a Degas drawing in appreciation for his crusade and Isamu Noguchi’s comments about an ill-fated meeting with Robert Moses that was arranged by Murdock.

With Richard Brettell, Sally will recount her adventure and discuss Murdock Pemberton's behind-the-scenes look at modernism’s formative years.

Immediately following the presentation, guests will enjoy a wine reception. RSVP required. For information and reservations, email 360rsvp@nashersculpturecenter.org. For updates and more information, please visit www.NasherSculptureCenter.org/360.

FREE with admission: Adults $10. Seniors $7. Students $5. FREE for Members and children 12 and under. Seating is limited. Reservations required.

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