Catching the Moment: Contemporary Art from the Ted L. and Maryanne Ellison Simmons Collection
June 26–September 11, 2022- Location
- Main Exhibition Galleries
- Cost
-
Adults: $12; seniors and students: $10; children (6–12): $6; children (5 and under): free;
Members always free
This exhibition occurred in the past. The archival exhibition summary below describes the exhibition as it was conceived while on view.
Catching the Moment celebrates the acquisition in 2020 of 833 works of contemporary art assembled by Ted L. and Maryanne Ellison Simmons. Comprised primarily of prints—and including a painting, drawings, collages, photographs, and editioned sculptures—the collection features a diverse group of more than 40 artists predominately active in the United States. It represents a transformative addition to the Museum’s holdings, particularly in works on paper and American art of the last 60 years. The exhibition features more than 190 works selected from this collection.
Focusing on art and artists of their own time, the Simmonses formed a collection that provides a critique of broad social, political, and art historical issues. These include H.C. Westermann’s nightmarish evocations of the Pacific chapter of World War II, Enrique Chagoya’s wide-ranging postcolonial critique, Kiki Smith’s explorations of the body and self as well as environmental concerns, and Jaune Quick-to-See Smith’s forceful foregrounding of Native American history.
Other highlights of the exhibition are Enrique Chagoya’s La-K-La-K, Bruce Conner’s BOMBHEAD, Helen Frankenthaler’s Savage Breeze, Kiki Smith’s Pool of Tears II (after Lewis Carroll), Kara Walker’s Keys to the Coop, and H. C. Westermann’s Connecticut Ballroom.
Ted Simmons is a former St. Louis Cardinals catcher and switch-hitter who was named to the Baseball Hall of Fame in 2020. Maryanne Ellison Simmons is a fine art printer and publisher who established her own publishing enterprise, Wildwood Press, in 1996. Their collecting draws on Maryanne’s professional expertise, yet it is a true partnership in which they are both highly knowledgeable, committed, and engaged. The collection is notable for its depth in certain artists, including Kiki Smith, Enrique Chagoya, and Tom Huck, as well as for the quality and rarity of the works the Simmonses sought out.
Catching the Moment: Contemporary Art from the Ted L. and Maryanne Ellison Simmons Collection is curated by Elizabeth Wyckoff, curator of prints, drawings, and photographs; Clare Kobasa, assistant curator of prints, drawings, and photographs; and Andrea L. Ferber, the Andrew W. Mellon Foundation Fellow for Prints, Drawings, and Photographs.
Some works of art in this exhibition reference sex, violence, and language that some visitors may find offensive.
Exhibition Catalogue
Learn more with the Catching the Moment catalogue
Catching the Moment is accompanied by an extensive catalogue. Featuring 104 stellar examples from the exceptional collection acquired from Ted L. and Maryanne Ellison Simmons, the book highlights the depth and relevance of these holdings.
The 172-page, hardcover catalogue traces the Simmonses’ focus on art and artists of their own time, and on the broader social, political, art-historical and technical issues that have engaged both the artists and the collectors. Catching the Moment is edited by Elizabeth Wyckoff with contributions by Wyckoff, Andrea Ferber, Clare Kobasa, Sophie Barbisan. The book is available for purchase in the Museum Shops, online or by phone at 1.314.655.5249.
Take a virtual tour of Catching the Moment
Experience the exhibition Catching the Moment: Contemporary Art from the Ted L. and Maryanne Ellison Simmons Collection with this virtual tour.
Click on icons located within the galleries to access introductory wall panels and a close-up view of each artwork and the accompanying label text. A selection of artworks have links to audio recordings and corresponding transcripts, and icons linked to videos and PDFs also provide additional information.
Audio Guide
Enjoy the Museum’s virtual audio guide for Catching the Moment: Contemporary Art from the Ted L. and Maryanne Ellison Simmons Collection. This audio guide features 21 commentaries by narrators from the Saint Louis Art Museum, and artists in the exhibition. Bring your headphones and listen during your in-gallery visit or experience the guide from home.
Glossary of Printmaking and Photographic Techniques
Learn about the various printmaking and photographic techniques used to create the works on view in the exhibition, Catching the Moment: Contemporary Art from the Ted L. and Maryanne Ellison Simmons Collection.
Accessibility
The Saint Louis Art Museum is committed to being accessible and welcoming to all visitors. Learn More.
Large-Print Labels
Large-print labels are available on your own device and upon request at the Taylor Hall Information Center.
Audio Guide Transcript
The audio guide transcript is available to view on your own device.
On-Demand Virtual Programs
Sponsors
Catching the Moment: Contemporary Art from the Ted L. and Maryanne Ellison Simmons Collection is organized by the Saint Louis Art Museum. It is presented with generous support from the Edward L. Bakewell Jr. Endowment for Special Exhibitions. Additional funding is provided by the St. Louis Cardinals.