Dona Nelson (Works)

Selected Works

Marigolds, 2018. Mixed media, 24 x 24 in. <i>Marigolds</i>, 2018. Mixed media, 24 x 24 in.
Platform, 2017. Collage, dyed cheesecloth, muslin, and acrylic mediums on linen mounted on plywood base, panel: 81.5 x 36 in, base: 74 x 22 in. Installation view, models stand close to the paintings, Thomas Erben Gallery, 2017. <i>Platform</i>, 2017. Collage, dyed cheesecloth, muslin, and acrylic mediums on linen mounted on plywood base, panel: 81.5 x 36 in, base: 74 x 22 in. Installation view, <I>models stand close to the paintings</i>, Thomas Erben Gallery, 2017.
Studio Portrait Over Time, 2016. Cheesecloth, muslin, painted string and acrylic on lines, 81 x 36 x 5 in, 2 box panels. Photograph taken at the artist's studio. <i>Studio Portrait Over Time</i>, 2016. Cheesecloth, muslin, painted string and acrylic on lines, 81 x 36 x 5 in, 2 box panels. Photograph taken at the artist's studio.
Installation views from Unpainting, Art Gallery of New South Wales, 2017. Photo: ©AGNSW Installation views from <i>Unpainting</i>, Art Gallery of New South Wales, 2017. Photo: ©AGNSW
March Hare, 2015. Acrylic and acrylic mediums on canvas, 83 x 78 in. In the collection of the Art Gallery of New South Wales, Sydney. (double-sided) <i>March Hare</i>, 2015. Acrylic and acrylic mediums on canvas, 83 x 78 in. In the collection of the Art Gallery of New South Wales, Sydney. (double-sided)
Installation shot, Michael Benevento Gallery, 2016. Photograph by Ed Mumford, courtesy of Michael Benevento Gallery. Installation shot, Michael Benevento Gallery, 2016. Photograph by Ed Mumford, courtesy of Michael Benevento Gallery.
Installation shot, Michael Benevento Gallery, 2016. Photograph by Ed Mumford, courtesy of Michael Benevento Gallery. Installation shot, Michael Benevento Gallery, 2016. Photograph by Ed Mumford, courtesy of Michael Benevento Gallery.
Coins in a Fountain, 2015. Acrylic and acrylic mediums on canvas, 79 x 79 in. (double-sided) <i>Coins in a Fountain</i>, 2015. Acrylic and acrylic mediums on canvas, 79 x 79 in. (double-sided)
Coins in a Fountain, 2015. Acrylic and acrylic mediums on canvas, 79 x 79 in. (double-sided) <i>Coins in a Fountain</i>, 2015. Acrylic and acrylic mediums on canvas, 79 x 79 in. (double-sided)
Installation view of Stand Alone Paintings, 2018. Courtesy of the Tang Teaching Museum. Installation view of <i>Stand Alone Paintings</i>, 2018. Courtesy of the Tang Teaching Museum.
Installation view of &lt;i&gt;Stand Alone Paintings&lt;/i&gt;, 2018. Courtesy of the Tang Teaching Museum.
August, 2014. Acrylic and acrylic mediums on canvas, 78 x 83 in. <i>August</i>, 2014. Acrylic and acrylic mediums on canvas, 78 x 83 in.
&lt;i&gt;August&lt;/i&gt;, 2014. Acrylic and acrylic mediums on canvas, 78 x 83 in.
Roman Luther, 2011. Acrylic and mixed media on canvas, 88 x 108 in. (studio shot) <i>Roman Luther</i>, 2011. Acrylic and mixed media on canvas, 88 x 108 in. (studio shot)
Shoe Painting, 2011. Acrylic and mixed media on canvas, 59 x 56 in. (double-sided) <i>Shoe Painting</i>, 2011. Acrylic and mixed media on canvas, 59 x 56 in. (double-sided)
Shoe Painting, 2011. Acrylic and mixed media on canvas, 59 x 56 in. (double-sided) <i>Shoe Painting</i>, 2011. Acrylic and mixed media on canvas, 59 x 56 in. (double-sided)
Morpheus, 2009. Acrylic mediums and cheesecloth on canvas, 84 x 83 1/3 in. <i>Morpheus</i>, 2009. Acrylic mediums and cheesecloth on canvas, 84 x 83 1/3 in.
Night Studio, 2008. Acrylic mediums and dyed cheesecloth on canvas, 83.5 x 84 in. <i>Night Studio</i>, 2008. Acrylic mediums and dyed cheesecloth on canvas, 83.5 x 84 in.
New Jersey Sunset, 2003. Acrylic and acrylic mediums on canvas, 82 x 78 in. (double-sided) <i>New Jersey Sunset</i>, 2003. Acrylic and acrylic mediums on canvas, 82 x 78 in. (double-sided)
New Jersey Sunset, 2003. Acrylic and acrylic mediums on canvas, 82 x 78 in. (double-sided) <i>New Jersey Sunset</i>, 2003. Acrylic and acrylic mediums on canvas, 82 x 78 in. (double-sided)
Cat Walks, 2000. Acrylic on canvas, 78 x 80 in. <i>Cat Walks</i>, 2000. Acrylic on canvas, 78 x 80 in.
Street of Walls (the Stations of the Subway series), 1998. Acrylic and latex enamel on canvas 90 × 60 in. <i>Street of Walls (the Stations of the Subway series)</i>, 1998. Acrylic and latex enamel on canvas
90 × 60 in.
Rock Avenue (the Stations of the Subway series), 1997. Latex Enamel on Canvas 90 × 60 in. <i>Rock Avenue (the Stations of the Subway series)</i>, 1997. Latex Enamel on Canvas
90 × 60 in.
High Lounge (The Stations of the Subway), 1998. Acrylic and latex enamel on canvas, 90 x 60 in. <i>High Lounge
(The Stations of the Subway)</i>, 1998. Acrylic and latex enamel on canvas, 90 x 60 in.
Fiery Arrangement, 1992 Acrylic and muslin on canvas 71 × 79 <i>Fiery Arrangement</i>, 1992
Acrylic and muslin on canvas
71 × 79
The Palmist Reveals the Future of Painting, 1992. Dyed canvas strips and acrylic mediums on canvas 75 × 75 in. <i>The Palmist Reveals the Future of Painting</i>, 1992.
Dyed canvas strips and acrylic mediums on canvas
75 × 75 in.
Octopus as Astronaut, 1992. Mixed media on canvas 84 × 84 in. &lt;i&gt;The Palmist Reveals the Future of Painting&lt;/i&gt;, 1992.
Dyed canvas strips and acrylic mediums on canvas
75 × 75 in.
Octopus as World, 1991-92 Acrylic and muslin on canvas 79 × 79 <i>Octopus as World</i>, 1991-92
Acrylic and muslin on canvas
79 × 79
&lt;i&gt;Octopus as World&lt;/i&gt;, 1991-92
Acrylic and muslin on canvas
79 × 79
Table, 1987. Oil on linen, 74 × 80 in. <i>Table</i>, 1987. Oil on linen, 74 × 80 in.
Cold Busy Street, 1984. Oil on canvas, 39 ½ × 36 ½ in. <i>Cold Busy Street</i>, 1984.
Oil on canvas, 39 ½ × 36 ½ in.
Daily News, 1983. Oil on canvas, 84 x 60 in. <i>Daily News</i>, 1983. Oil on canvas, 84 x 60 in.
Surveyor's Lunch, 1981-1982. Oil on canvas, 78 x 78 in. <i>Surveyor's Lunch</i>, 1981-1982. Oil on canvas, 78 x 78 in.
Summer Man, 1982. Oil on canvas, 79 x 58 in. <i>Summer Man</i>, 1982. Oil on canvas, 79 x 58 in.
&lt;i&gt;Summer Man&lt;/i&gt;, 1982. Oil on canvas, 79 x 58 in.
Untitled, 1973. Oil-based enamel on masonite 12 × 16 in. <i>Untitled</i>, 1973. Oil-based enamel on masonite
12 × 16 in.
Untitled,1968. Acryllic on canvas, 96 x 30 in. <i>Untitled</i>,1968. Acryllic on canvas, 96 x 30 in.
Dona Nelson - <i data-src=Marigolds, 2018. Mixed media, 24 x 24 in.">
Dona Nelson - <i data-src=Platform, 2017. Collage, dyed cheesecloth, muslin, and acrylic mediums on linen mounted on plywood base, panel: 81.5 x 36 in, base: 74 x 22 in. Installation view, models stand close to the paintings, Thomas Erben Gallery, 2017.">
Dona Nelson - <i data-src=Studio Portrait Over Time, 2016. Cheesecloth, muslin, painted string and acrylic on lines, 81 x 36 x 5 in, 2 box panels. Photograph taken at the artist's studio.">
Dona Nelson - Installation views from <i data-src=Unpainting, Art Gallery of New South Wales, 2017. Photo: ©AGNSW">
Dona Nelson - <i data-src=March Hare, 2015. Acrylic and acrylic mediums on canvas, 83 x 78 in. In the collection of the Art Gallery of New South Wales, Sydney. (double-sided)">
Dona Nelson - Installation shot, Michael Benevento Gallery, 2016. Photograph by Ed Mumford, courtesy of Michael Benevento Gallery.
Dona Nelson - Installation shot, Michael Benevento Gallery, 2016. Photograph by Ed Mumford, courtesy of Michael Benevento Gallery.
Dona Nelson - <i data-src=Coins in a Fountain, 2015. Acrylic and acrylic mediums on canvas, 79 x 79 in. (double-sided)">
Dona Nelson - <i data-src=Coins in a Fountain, 2015. Acrylic and acrylic mediums on canvas, 79 x 79 in. (double-sided)">
Dona Nelson - Installation view of <i data-src=Stand Alone Paintings, 2018. Courtesy of the Tang Teaching Museum.">
Dona Nelson -
Dona Nelson - <i data-src=August, 2014. Acrylic and acrylic mediums on canvas, 78 x 83 in. ">
Dona Nelson -
Dona Nelson - <i data-src=Roman Luther, 2011. Acrylic and mixed media on canvas, 88 x 108 in. (studio shot)">
Dona Nelson - <i data-src=Shoe Painting, 2011. Acrylic and mixed media on canvas, 59 x 56 in. (double-sided)">
Dona Nelson - <i data-src=Shoe Painting, 2011. Acrylic and mixed media on canvas, 59 x 56 in. (double-sided)">
Dona Nelson - <i data-src=Morpheus, 2009. Acrylic mediums and cheesecloth on canvas, 84 x 83 1/3 in.">
Dona Nelson - <i data-src=Night Studio, 2008. Acrylic mediums and dyed cheesecloth on canvas, 83.5 x 84 in.">
Dona Nelson - <i data-src=New Jersey Sunset, 2003. Acrylic and acrylic mediums on canvas, 82 x 78 in. (double-sided)">
Dona Nelson - <i data-src=New Jersey Sunset, 2003. Acrylic and acrylic mediums on canvas, 82 x 78 in. (double-sided)">
Dona Nelson - <i data-src=Cat Walks, 2000. Acrylic on canvas, 78 x 80 in.">
Dona Nelson - <i data-src=Street of Walls (the Stations of the Subway series), 1998. Acrylic and latex enamel on canvas 90 × 60 in.">
Dona Nelson - <i data-src=Rock Avenue (the Stations of the Subway series), 1997. Latex Enamel on Canvas 90 × 60 in.">
Dona Nelson - <i data-src=High Lounge (The Stations of the Subway), 1998. Acrylic and latex enamel on canvas, 90 x 60 in.">
Dona Nelson - <i data-src=Fiery Arrangement, 1992 Acrylic and muslin on canvas 71 × 79 ">
Dona Nelson - <i data-src=The Palmist Reveals the Future of Painting, 1992. Dyed canvas strips and acrylic mediums on canvas 75 × 75 in.">
Dona Nelson -
Dona Nelson - <i data-src=Octopus as World, 1991-92 Acrylic and muslin on canvas 79 × 79">
Dona Nelson -
Dona Nelson - <i data-src=Table, 1987. Oil on linen, 74 × 80 in. ">
Dona Nelson - <i data-src=Cold Busy Street, 1984. Oil on canvas, 39 ½ × 36 ½ in.">
Dona Nelson - <i data-src=Daily News, 1983. Oil on canvas, 84 x 60 in.">
Dona Nelson - <i data-src=Surveyor's Lunch, 1981-1982. Oil on canvas, 78 x 78 in. ">
Dona Nelson - <i data-src=Summer Man, 1982. Oil on canvas, 79 x 58 in.">
Dona Nelson -
Dona Nelson - <i data-src=Untitled, 1973. Oil-based enamel on masonite 12 × 16 in.">
Dona Nelson - <i data-src=Untitled,1968. Acryllic on canvas, 96 x 30 in.">

Dona Nelson

Dona Nelson

Dona Nelson in the studio.
Dona Nelson in the studio.

Dona Nelson moved to New York City in 1967 to participate in the Whitney Independent Study Program. She received her BFA from Ohio State University in 1968.

She has participated in the 2014 Whitney Biennial and in group shows at the Pennsylvania Academy of Fine Arts, Art Gallery of New South WalesRose Art Museum, Contemporary Art Museum Houston and South Florida, Boston University Art Gallery, New York University 80WSE, CCS Bard, MIT List Visual Art Center, Apexart, Milwaukee Art Museum, P.S. 1, Aldrich Contemporary Art Museum, and Guggenheim. Nelson has received many grants and awards including an Anonymous Was A Woman Grant in 2015, an Artist Legacy Foundation Award in 2013, a Foundation for Contemporary Arts Award in 2011, and a Guggenheim Memorial Fellowship in 1994.

Espace Tajan exhibited Nelson’s paintings in Paris in the fall of 2019, adding to a long list of widely reviewed solo shows at galleries such as Michael Benevento (Los Angeles), Cheim & Read, Michael Klein, and Rosa Esman (all New York); including a mid-career solo exhibition at the Weatherspoon Art Museum, Greensboro, NC, which was accompanied by a full color catalogue. Her paintings have been included in group shows at Thaddaeus Ropac, London, Morán Morán, Los Angeles, Ceysson & Bénétière, Luxembourg, as well as Deitch Projects, Lisson Gallery, Robert Miller, Mary Boone, Canada Gallery and d’Amelio Terras (all New York). Nelson’s work is included in the collections of the Metropolitan Museum of Art, Guggenheim Museum, Pennsylvania Academy of Fine Arts, Rose Art Museum, Museum of Fine Arts Boston, Perez Art Museum, Kadist Foundation, Weatherspoon Art Museum, Albright-Knox and Art Gallery of New South Wales, Australia. Nelson’s work is currently part of Taking Space: Contemporary Women Artists and the Politics of Scale at the Pennsylvania Academy of Fine Arts, Philadelphia, and Never Done: 100 Years of Women in Politics and Beyond at the Tang Teaching Museum, Skidmore College, Saratoga Springs, NY. Her work will also be included in 52 Womxm Artists: Revisiting a Feminist Milestone at the Aldrich Museum of Contemporary Art in Ridgefield, CT, scheduled to open in June of 2022.

Exhibitions with Thomas Erben

Exhibitions with Thomas Erben

Other Exhibitions

Other Exhibitions

Selected Press

Selected Press

Pagel, David. In Dona Nelson’s magically messy paintings, the back is as revelatory as the front, The Los Angeles Times, October 10, 2019. | Download PDF | 2.63 MB
Art in Conversation - Dona Nelson with Leeza Meksin, The Brooklyn Rail, May 12, 2018. | Download PDF | 551.87 KB
Smith, Roberta. Dona Nelson, The New York Times, May 12, 2017. | Download PDF | 223.38 KB
Rodney, Seph. Collage Painting's with Presence, HYPERALLERGIC, April 14, 2017. | Download PDF | 7.26 MB
Smith, Roberta. Art in Review, Dona Nelson, Phigor. The New York Times, May 9, 2014. | Download PDF | 2.31 MB
Kreimer, Julian. Dona Nelson, Art in America, June/July, 2014. | Download PDF | 953.85 KB
Schwabsky, Barry. Dona Nelson, Artforum, Summer 2014. | Download PDF | 495.31 KB
Briggs, Rick. Go Figure: Dona Nelson's "Phigor", HYPERALLERGIC, May 3, 2014. | Download PDF | 431.21 KB
Smith, Roberta. Done Nelson : In Situ, The New York Times, May 23, 2008. | Download PDF | 166.75 KB
Cotter, Holland. Art in Review - Dona Nelson, The New York Times, September 22, 2006. | Download PDF | 103.56 KB
Moyer, Carrie. Dona Nelson: Brain Stain, The Brooklyn Rail, October 2006. | Download PDF | 1.72 MB
Maine, Stephen. Dona Nelson at Thomas Erben, Art in America, December 2006. | Download PDF | 1.78 MB
Adams, Brooks. Dona Nelson, Tactile Image, exhibition catalog, 2003. | Download PDF | 6.53 MB
Johnson, Ken. Art in review; Dona Nelson -- Tactile Image, The New York Times, January 21, 2003. | Download PDF | 2.18 MB
Mahoney, Robert. Dona Nelson, Stations of the Subway, Time Out, January 2001. | Download PDF | 1.83 MB
Smith, Roberta. Art in Review; Dona Nelson, The New York Times, February 2001. | Download PDF | 11.99 MB
Landi, Ann. New Yorker Reviews, April 2001. | Download PDF | 4.68 MB
Hirsch, Faye. Abstracting the Familiar, Art In America, Febuary 1997. | Download PDF | 16.30 MB
Whelan, Richard. Dona Nelson interview, BOMB magazine, winter 1994. | Download PDF | 148.53 KB
Liebmaan, Lisa. Dona Nelson's Time Pieces, Artforum, March 1989. | Download PDF | 21.66 MB

Bodies of Work

Bodies of Work

Media

Boston University: Contemporary Perspectives lecture, Dona Nelson

Over the past three decades painter Dona Nelson has reflected an adventurously tough-minded approach to process and a vehement avoidance of anything conventionally ingratiating. Her work presents a solid challenge to the viewer, working often in primary colors and in reference to works by other abstract artists. 10/18/12

A Conversation with Artist – Dona Nelson and Jonathan Neil

Last week, Dona Nelson joined Jonathan Neil in Los Angeles for a wide-ranging interview—Dona thinks it’s one of her best.

Held October 3 at The Reef/LA Mart, the talk was organized by Sotheby’s Institute of Art in Los Angeles and Claremont Graduate University.

Dona’s show at the Tang opened last Friday to great fanfare.

To entice you to make the trip over to Saratoga Springs, NY, here’s a brief glimpse of this gorgeous exhibition.

Dona Nelson -

Unpainting: Contemporary Collection Projects, 2017. Art Gallery of New South Wales, Sydney, Australia. 

Dona Nelson -

Making Sense, 2014. University of South Florida, FL. (curated by Margaret Miller and Megan Voeller).

Dona Nelson -

Vogue, 2014 July. 

Dona Nelson -

Charismatic Abstraction, 2008. Richmind Center of Visual Arts at western Michigan University, Kalamazoo, MI (curated by Don Desmett). 

Dona Nelson -

The Stations of the Subway, Octopuses and Arrangements, 2000. Weatherspoon Art Gallery, The University of North Carolina at Greensboro (curated by Ron Platt).

Dona Nelson -

Body Language, 1981. MIT,  traveling to Fort Worth Art Museum, University of South Florida and Contemporary Arts Center Cincinnati (curated by Roberta Smith). 

Dona Nelson -

Exchanges II, 1980.  Henry Street Settlement, New York, NY (curated by Renata Karlin).

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