Collections

Modern & Contemporary Art

Henry Moore, Woman (Seated Torso or Parze), 1957-58
Henry Moore, Woman (Seated Torso or Parze), 1957-58

Given the international reputation of Palm Springs as an epicenter of mid-century modernism, art from this period forms the foundation of the museum’s collection.

The modern and contemporary collection is at the heart of the museum’s identity and its mission. It contains approximately 3,000 sculptures, paintings and prints, 2,000 fine art photographs, and another 40,000 negatives, contact sheets, and other photo-based objects.

Sarah Morris, <em>1952 (Rings)</em>, 2006
Sarah Morris, 1952 (Rings), 2006
Marina Abramović, The Kitchen V, Carrying the Milk, 2009
Marina Abramović, The Kitchen V, Carrying the Milk, 2009
Barbara Hepworth, Two Forms with White (Greek), 1969
Barbara Hepworth, Two Forms with White (Greek), 1969
Alexander Calder, Lizard, 1968
Alexander Calder, Lizard (Lézard), 1968

Significant paintings, sculptures, and works on papers by earlier modernists illuminate the development of modern art’s experimentation with form and materials. 

The museum’s dynamic collection of contemporary art since 1960 places special focus on artists from California alongside artists working throughout the United States and internationally.

Marina Abramović, Louise Bourgeois, John Chamberlain, Antony Gormley, Duane Hanson, Mona Hatoum, Anish Kapoor, Anselm Keifer, Sarah Sze, and Stanley Whitney are among the many contemporary artists represented in the collection.

Dale Chihully, End of the Day #2, 1996
Dale Chihully, End of the Day #2, 1996
Louise Bourgeois, Spider 2, 1995
Louise Bourgeois, Spider II, 1995
Rubén Ortiz-Torres, Shopper Hopper, 2016
Rubén Ortiz-Torres, Shopper Hopper, 2016
Mark Bradford, Rat Catcher of Hamelin IV, 2011
Mark Bradford, Rat Catcher of Hamelin IV, 2011

The collection’s modernist holdings include key paintings and sculptures by Alexander Calder, Claire Falkenstein, Helen Frankenthaler, Barbara Hepworth, Henry Moore, Roberto Matta, Robert Motherwell, Agnes Pelton, and David Alfaro Siqueiros, among others.

Artworks by significant contemporary artists producing on the West Coast include Robert Arneson, Lynda Benglis, Joan Brown, Mark Bradford, Armando Lerma, Nathan Oliveira, Rubén Ortiz-Torres, Ed Ruscha, and Andrea Zittel.

The museum’s rich holdings of historical works by Native Americans are complemented by a growing collection of works by contemporary Native American artists including Rick Bartow, Gerald Clarke, and Cara Romero.

Anish Kapoor, Corona, 2003
Anish Kapoor, Corona, 2003
Zhan Wang, Artificial Rock #131, 2012
Zhan Wang, Artificial Rock #131, 2012
Robert Motherwell, The Big 4, 1986
Robert Motherwell, The Big 4, 1986
Duane Hanson, <em>Old Couple on a Bench</em>, 1995
Duane Hanson, Old Couple on a Bench, 1995
Donna Ferrato, Lovers + Holy Child Nun, Venice, Italy, 1986
Donna Ferrato, Lovers + Holy Child Nun, Venice, Italy, 1986
Stanley White, Blue Meets Yellow, 2011, Painting
Stanley Whitney, Blue Meets Yellow, 2011

The museum also holds a wealth of photographs reflecting the development of this pivotal medium for 20th and 21st century art and culture. The photography collection contains prints by artists Ansel Adams, Diane Arbus, Walker Evans, Nan Goldin, An-My Lê, Milton Rogovin, Arthur Tress, and Andy Warhol, among others.  

More to see