July 12th – February 26th, 2024 | Chan Gallery

Kathryn Tucker Windham (American, 1918-2011), What’ll You Have, 1971. Toned gelatin silver print. 9 x 10 in. Gift of the artist, 1993.09.18. ©Estate of Kathryn Tucker Windham | kathryntuckerwindham.com, 2024

Eat, Drink & Be Merry

Katsushika Hokusai (Sori II) (Japanese, 1760-1849), Moon, Persimmon, and Grasshopper, ca. 1820. Woodblock, nishiki-e, surimono. 7.75 x 7.25 in. Gift of Jerome S. Spiller, 1981.39.125

Step into a world where canvases are good enough to eat!

Drawing from the rich tapestry of the museum’s permanent collection, Eat, Drink & Be Merry invites visitors to explore the myriad ways in which artists throughout history have captured the essence of food as both subject and symbol.

This exhibition tantalizes the senses and celebrates the timeless allure of food. From opulent still lifes of luscious fruits and vegetables to delicate Japanese woodblock prints depicting traditional tea ceremonies to the whimsy of contemporary sculptors that incorporate food as function beyond sustenance, each artwork serves as a window into the cultural significance and joys of food.

At the heart of Eat, Drink & Be Merry lies the recognition that depictions of food in art transcend mere illustration. Instead, they offer a glimpse into the complex web of meanings associated with culinary experiences. Food becomes a vessel for exploring themes of abundance and scarcity, health and indulgence, ritual and celebration, and even the inevitability of mortality.

Encounter a cornucopia of artistic treasures in Eat, Drink & Be Merry!

This exhibition is organized by the Huntsville Museum of Art.

Thank you, Sponsors!

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