Celebrate this groundbreaking, internationally renowned photographer and painter whose remarkable Richmond-based career spans over six decades. Presenting 63 photographs and 9 paintings by the Richmond native, born in 1924, this is the first major exhibition to explore the trajectory of her impressive 60-year career. From playful and irreverent scenes of everyday life to ethereal evocations of the past, Willie Anne Wright’s experimental paintings and photographs examine pop-culture, feminine identity, the pull of history and the shifting cultural landscape of the South. With a focus on photography’s role in shaping collective understandings of history, place, and gender, the exhibition draws from VMFA’s recent acquisition of Wright’s work, including more than 230 photographs and 10 paintings, as well as a comprehensive artist archive.
Organized by the Virginia Museum of Fine Arts and curated by Dr. Sarah Kennel, Aaron Siskind Curator of Photography and Director of the Raysor Center.
Exhibition Highlights
Green Supremes, 1969, Willie Anne Wright (American, born 1924), acrylic on canvas, 60 x 60 in. Virginia Museum of Fine Arts, Arthur and Margaret Glasgow Endowment, 2022.246
Willie at Ruth’s Farm, 1984, Willie Anne Wright (American, born 1924), silver dye bleach print. Virginia Museum of Fine Arts, Arthur and Margaret Glasgow Endowment, 2022.329
Branch with Brugs, 2013, Willie Anne Wright (American, born 1924), gelatin silver print, 20 x 16 in. Virginia Museum of Fine Arts, Arthur and Margaret Glasgow Endowment, 2014.238
One Night at Jimmy’s We Saw the Supremes on Color Television, 1967, Willie Anne Wright (American, born 1924), Liquitex on canvas, 6 7/16 × 48 5/8 × 1 3/8 in. Virginia Museum of Fine Arts, General Endowment Fund, 67.15.4
Colonial Beach – Municipal Pier, 1981, Willie Anne Wright (American, born 1924), silver dye bleach print, 7 15/16 x 9 15/16 in. Virginia Museum of Fine Arts, Arthur and Margaret Glasgow Endowment, 2022.290
Gracie with Dress, 2005, Willie Anne Wright (American, born 1924), gelatin silver print, 16 x 19 15/16 in. Virginia Museum of Fine Arts, Arthur and Margaret Glasgow Endowment, 2022.436
The Arbor, 1972, Willie Anne Wright (American, born 1924), gelatin silver print, 14 1/8 x 12 1/8 x 1 1/4 in, Virginia Museum of Fine Arts, Arthur and Margaret Glasgow Endowment, 2022.248
To O.G. Rejlander and Diana Ross, 1967, Willie Anne Wright (American, born 1924), acrylic on canvas, 26 × 48 in. Virginia Museum of Fine Arts, Arthur and Margaret Glasgow Endowment, 2022.242
William R. Kenan, Jr. Charitable Trust
The Chrisman Family Foundation
Community Foundation for a greater Richmond
Mr. and Mrs. Thomas F. Garner, Jr.
Dr. and Mrs. William V. Garner
William and Lilli Beyer
Nancy and Wayne Chasen
Hamilton Beach Brands, Inc.
Mr. James. W. Klaus
Teri Craig Miles
Patsy K. Pettus
VMFA Council Exhibition Fund
VMFA is also grateful to the following sponsors:
Page and Sandy Bond | Laura and Stephen Holdych | Candace H. Osdene | Lewis and Tina Stoneburner | Adele and Robert Van Divender, in memoriam | Deborah and Mark Wlaz
Marketing support for Evans Court exhibitions is provided by the Charles G. Thalhimer Fund.
This list reflects sponsors as of August 23, 2023.
Anne S at Jack B’s Pool (Back), 1984, Willie Anne Wright (American, born 1924), silver dye bleach print, 11 x 14 in. Virginia Museum of Fine Arts, Arthur and Margaret Glasgow Endowment, 2022.302