Nasher Sculpture Center celebrates 5th year anniversary with exhibit featuring stories from the Nasher family

by Laura Seewoester

To commemorate the 5th year anniversary of the Nasher Sculpture Center and in honor of Ray and Nancy, the center presents In the Pursuit of the Masters: Stories from the Ray and Patsy Nasher Collection. The exhibit displays important works from the Nasher collection, which at first, if you're familiar with the Nasher Sculpture Center, seems like no big deal since they always rotate works from the collection. The exhibit, however, features works that have never before left the Nasher house along with photographs that depict the family's relationship with the art and artists.

What we have here, however, is less an exhibit and more a story. A visual biography of a family with a passion for art. With snapshots of Ray and Patsy Nasher with some of their favorite artists, to photos of their home with the pieces in it you really get a feel for just how much art was incorporated into their daily lives. Also on display are portraits of Patsy and their three daughters, although theirs weren't taken by any second rate photographer... only the Nashers would have portraits done by Andy Warhol hanging on their walls.

The centerpiece of the exhibit is Torso with Buds by Jean Arp. This piece is one of the most important in the collection (and never before displayed for public view) because it was the family's first significant acquisition as well as a 46th birthday present from Patsy to Ray. The family has had it proudly displayed in the entry way of their home (until now). The piece sums up the exhibit and the philosophy of the Nashers, portraying both significance in the art world as well as the deep personal meaning to the family. Every piece has a story behind it, either a story about the artist or the process of the acquisition and the emotional meaning the piece has with Nashers.

The fact that they are finally displaying Torso with Buds also encompasses the philosophy of Ray and Patsy Nasher: that art is for sharing, for the public. Upon introducing the new exhibit, Nancy Nasher expressed, "It was my parent's dream to share this collection with everyone." That dream is further being realized with this exhibit and the many works that have previously never been displayed to the public.

The exhibit is open to the public beginning Saturday through January. There is also a new audio tour that shares more of the personal stories of the Nashers, including interviews with Ray and Patsy (usually I pass on the audio tours, but I would suggest it in this case because some of their personal stories about the works are quite compelling and touching).