Disquieted

For many, today’s world is marked by anxiety and doubt precipitated by events beyond our control. This unease is a natural response to a tumultuous and troubling decade filled with natural disasters, war, global terrorism, and worldwide financial collapse.

Artists have always reflected and reacted to the world around them—and contemporary art, through its form or content, often disturbs as much as it provides solace. In DISQUIETED, a roster of renowned contemporary artists explore our social condition and respond to the most compelling issues of the day, challenging our preconceptions and exposing our vulnerability in turbulent times.

The works—including paintings, photography, sculptures, and video installations—evoke an instant reaction. Whether unsettling or benign, all require a second look. The issues presented are both intimate and global, prompting viewers to consider their own humanity and their place in the world.

The artists presented in this exhibition are among today’s foremost figures in contemporary art; most have never been exhibited in Portland. Collectively, their works invite engagement and discussion of the elements of modern life that leave so many feeling disquieted.

Organized by the Portland Art Museum and curated by Bruce Guenther, curator of modern and contemporary art.