From the works of an experimental icon to bronze craftsmanship, there’s plenty of interesting art exhibitions to see in New York right now.
The Met: Monstrous Beauty: A Feminist Revision of Chinoiserie
Currently on display at The Met Fifth Avenue, Monstrous Beauty: A Feminist Revision of Chinoiserie critiques the 17th- and 18th-century European fascination with Chinese aesthetics, highlighting how it exoticized Eastern cultures and depicted women in passive or "monstrous" roles. Using a feminist lens, the exhibition challenges these representations and explores their ties to colonialism and imperialism.
Dates: Present – August 17
The Met: Recasting the Past: The Art of Chinese Bronzes, 1100-1900
Showcasing centuries of bronze craftsmanship, this new exhibition explores how Chinese artisans reimagined ancient forms for new aesthetic and functional purposes. Recasting the Past: The Art of Chinese Bronzes, 1100–1900 features over 200 works, from ritual vessels to scholar’s objects, highlighting the enduring cultural and political significance of bronze in China.
Dates: Present – September 28
The Met: Celebrating the Year of the Snake
Exploring the cultural significance of the snake in Chinese tradition, the exhibition Celebrating the Year of the Snake, presents artworks from The Met’s collection that depict this alert and intelligent creature. On view through February 10, 2026, the display highlights the snake’s symbolic role in various media, emphasizing its enduring presence in Chinese art and culture.
Dates: Present – February 10, 2026
MoMA: Jack Whitten: The Messenger
MoMA’s Jack Whitten: The Messenger, traces the artist’s six-decade career, highlighting his innovative techniques and explorations of race, history, and technology. Featuring over 175 works, the exhibition showcases Whitten’s unique fusion of material experimentation and social commentary.
Dates: Present – August 2
Guggenheim: Beatriz Milhazes: Rigor and Beauty
The Guggenheim’s Beatriz Milhazes: Rigor and Beauty showcases 15 vibrant works from 1995 to 2023, tracing the artist’s shift from ornamental arabesques to geometric abstraction. Highlighting her innovative techniques and bold use of color, the exhibition offers insight into her distinctive fusion of cultural motifs and abstract forms.
Dates: Present – September 7