Sooner State News

The Oklahoma City Museum of Art (OKCMOA) has announced its upcoming fall exhibition, "Paul Reed: A Retrospective," set to run from November 22, 2025, through April 12, 2026. This exhibition marks the first major retrospective dedicated to Paul Reed (1919-2015), an influential figure in the Washington Color School movement of the 1960s.

The exhibition will provide a comprehensive look at Reed's seven-decade career, showcasing his evolution from a graphic designer in New York during the 1950s to his role as one of the founding artists of the Washington Color School. The retrospective will also explore his later works that feature both aesthetic and technological innovations.

In a historical context, OKCMOA acquired the collection from the Washington Gallery of Modern Art in 1968, which included works by Reed. Further solidifying its connection to the artist, in 2017 and 2018, OKCMOA received a significant donation from the Paul and Esther Reed Trust.

Michael Anderson, PhD., President and CEO of OKCMOA, emphasized Reed's contributions: “Paul Reed’s foundational role within the Washington Color School and his many decades of innovation justify a much greater reputation than he has held previously.” He expressed excitement about introducing audiences to Reed’s art and his impact on postwar American art.

Curated by David Gariff, PhD., senior lecturer at the National Gallery of Art, "Paul Reed: A Retrospective" will include over one hundred paintings, sculptures, and works on paper. The pieces are drawn mainly from OKCMOA’s permanent collection with additional loans from other museums and private collections. A catalogue published by Marquand Books will accompany the exhibition.

Reed's painting "No. 17" (1964) gained recognition after being featured in "Matisse in His Time" in 2016. This led to a donation of 125 works from the Paul and Esther Reed Trust. In addition to this retrospective, OKCMOA presented "Paul Reed: Works on Paper" in 2023.

This exhibition concludes a notable year for OKCMOA following several significant exhibitions including "From the Vault: The 80th Anniversary Exhibition," "Dale Chihuly: The Oklahoma Collection," and "Discovering Ansel Adams."

Sponsorship opportunities for "Paul Reed: A Retrospective" are available. For further details, contact Chief Development Officer Kimberley Worrell at 405.278.8227. Admission is free for members and children under 17; tickets can be purchased through okcmoa.com.

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