Largest Retrospective of Noah Davis to Open at DAS MINSK Kunsthaus in Potsdam

DAS MINSK Kunsthaus in Potsdam is set to host the most extensive institutional retrospective of the late artist Noah Davis, running from September 7, 2024, to January 5, 2025. This exhibition, which brings together over 50 works spanning Davis’ entire career, offers an in-depth exploration of the artist’s unique approach to figurative painting and his profound influence on contemporary art. Following its debut in Potsdam, the exhibition will travel to the Barbican in London and the Hammer Museum in Los Angeles.

A Journey Through Noah Davis’ Artistic Evolution

Curated chronologically, the retrospective traces Davis’ artistic development from his first exhibition in 2007 through to his untimely death in 2015. The exhibition features previously unseen paintings, works on paper, and sculptures, providing a rare opportunity to view the full spectrum of Davis’ creative output. Central to the exhibition is Davis’ exploration of art history, imagery, humor, and the human condition—elements that remained at the core of his work throughout his career.

Davis, who was based primarily in Los Angeles, is renowned for his figurative paintings that depict various facets of Black life. His works draw on a wide array of sources, including anonymous photography found in flea markets, personal archives, film, television, music, literature, and his vivid imagination. These influences converge in paintings that portray figures swimming, sleeping, dancing, playing music, reading, and interacting with public art—often in settings that are both realistic and dreamlike, joyful, and melancholic.

A Dialogue with Art History

The exhibition at DAS MINSK not only highlights Davis’ mastery of figurative painting but also places his work in dialogue with German art history. Davis’ extensive knowledge of the history of figurative painting, including movements like Neue Sachlichkeit, Magischer Realismus, and the Leipziger Schule, is evident throughout the exhibition. His work engages with and questions the traditional art canon by incorporating his surroundings and community, offering a fresh perspective on the historical narratives that have shaped modern art.

The Legacy of The Underground Museum

In addition to his artistic achievements, Noah Davis is also celebrated for his contributions to the art community through The Underground Museum, which he co-founded with his wife, Karon Davis, in 2012. Located in the historically Black and Latinx neighborhood of Arlington Heights in Los Angeles, The Underground Museum has become an internationally recognized institution dedicated to making art accessible to a broader audience. This retrospective underscores Davis’ commitment to challenging the way art is viewed, bought, and created, reflecting his belief in the power of art to effect social change.

An International Collaboration

The Noah Davis exhibition is a collaborative effort initiated by Barbican, London, and DAS MINSK, Potsdam. The project has been organized in close collaboration with the Estate of Noah Davis and David Zwirner Gallery. Following its run at DAS MINSK, the exhibition will move to the Barbican in London from February 6 to May 11, 2025, and then to the Hammer Museum in Los Angeles from June 8 to August 31, 2025.

Noah Davis’ work continues to resonate with audiences around the world, and this retrospective offers a comprehensive look at the artist’s enduring legacy. By bringing together his complete oeuvre, the exhibition not only honors Davis’ contributions to contemporary art but also invites viewers to engage with his thought-provoking and deeply humanistic vision.