Robert Longo: The Acceleration of History
![](https://mam.imgix.net/mam-org/exhibitions/24_acceleration-of-history/hero.png?w=400)
![](https://mam.imgix.net/mam-org/exhibitions/24_acceleration-of-history/hero.png?w=400)
Overview
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October 25, 2024–February 23, 2025
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Baker/Rowland Galleries
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Free for Members
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Included with admission
Rising to prominence in the 1980s as a leading figure of the Pictures Generation, internationally acclaimed artist Robert Longo has long examined the effects of our image-saturated culture. The artist sources his subject matter from the media to create ambitiously scaled charcoal drawings that reflect on the construction of symbols of power and authority, including images of animals and nature as well as global conflicts and protest movements.
Though based on images from various media sources, Longo’s meticulous drawings are not exact transcriptions. Instead, he combines elements from multiple source images with art historical archetypes and compositional elements in an effort to create what the artist considers “a perfect image.” Through their monumental scale and technical precision, the images he depicts invite viewers to slow down and reflect on the subject matter.
The exhibition presents nearly 40 monumental drawings, sculptures, and videos created by the artist over the past decade, prominently featuring The Destroyer Cycle series that Longo began in 2014. It also includes drawings from his other bodies of work, such as the Hungry Ghosts and Gang of Cosmos series.
The first solo presentation of the artist’s work in the Midwest in more than three decades, Robert Longo: The Acceleration of History was curated by Margaret Andera, senior curator of contemporary art at the Milwaukee Art Museum.
Artworks
Robert Longo (American, b. 1953), Untitled (Ascending Flag), 2023.
Charcoal on mounted paper. 100 × 96 in. (254 × 243.84 cm). Courtesy of the artist
![](https://mam.imgix.net/mam-org/exhibitions/24_acceleration-of-history/gallery/1.jpg?w=400)
Robert Longo (American, b. 1953), Untitled (The Cauldron), 2021.
Charcoal on mounted paper. 70 × 120 in. (177.8 × 304.8 cm). Private collection
![](https://mam.imgix.net/mam-org/exhibitions/24_acceleration-of-history/gallery/4.jpg?w=400)
Robert Longo (American, b. 1953), Untitled (State of the Union, Washington DC, USA, February 5, 2019), 2019.
Charcoal on mounted paper. 96 × 146 in. (243.84 × 370.84 cm). Courtesy of the artist
![](https://mam.imgix.net/mam-org/exhibitions/24_acceleration-of-history/gallery/7.jpg?w=400)
Robert Longo (American, b. 1953), Untitled (Refugees At Mediterranean Sea, Sub-Saharan Migrants, July 25, 2017), 2018.
Charcoal on mounted paper. 97 × 120 in. (246.38 × 304.8 cm). Private collection
![](https://mam.imgix.net/mam-org/exhibitions/24_acceleration-of-history/gallery/10.jpg?w=400)
Robert Longo (American, b. 1953), Untitled (Kenny Britt, St. Louis Rams; Hands Up), 2016.
Charcoal on mounted paper. 65 × 120 in. (165.1 × 304.8 cm). Courtesy of the artist
![](https://mam.imgix.net/mam-org/exhibitions/24_acceleration-of-history/gallery/13.jpg?w=400)
Robert Longo (American, b. 1953), Untitled (The Three Graces; Donetsk, Ukraine; March 14, 2022), 2022.
Charcoal on mounted paper. 96 × 147 in. (243.84 × 373.38 cm). Courtesy of the artist and Pace Gallery
![](https://mam.imgix.net/mam-org/exhibitions/24_acceleration-of-history/gallery/2.jpg?w=400)
Robert Longo (American, b. 1953), Untitled (Iceberg for Greta Thunberg), 2020.
Charcoal on mounted paper. 127 × 190 in. (322.58 × 482.6 cm). Courtesy of the artist and Pace Gallery
![](https://mam.imgix.net/mam-org/exhibitions/24_acceleration-of-history/gallery/5.jpg?w=400)
Robert Longo (American, b. 1953), Untitled (Christmas Tree House from “The American Stories Cycle”), 2015.
Charcoal on mounted paper. 91 x 124 1/2 in. (231.14 x 316.23 cm). Courtesy of the artist
![](https://mam.imgix.net/mam-org/exhibitions/24_acceleration-of-history/gallery/8.jpg?w=400)
Robert Longo (American, b. 1953), Untitled (American Eagle 2017), 2017.
Charcoal on mounted paper. 70 1/16 × 96 in. (177.96 × 243.84 cm). Nancy A. Nasher and David J. Haemisegger Collection
![](https://mam.imgix.net/mam-org/exhibitions/24_acceleration-of-history/gallery/11.jpg?w=400)
Robert Longo (American, b. 1953), Medusa (Banyan Tree, Homage to J. Mitchell and J. Pollock), 2014.
Charcoal on mounted paper. 90 × 123 3/4 in. (228.6 × 314.33 cm). Courtesy of Anonymous
![](https://mam.imgix.net/mam-org/exhibitions/24_acceleration-of-history/gallery/14.jpg?w=400)
Robert Longo (American, b. 1953), Untitled (Nascar Crash, Daytona), 2021.
Charcoal on mounted paper. 70 × 120 in. (177.8 × 304.8 cm). Courtesy of the artist
![](https://mam.imgix.net/mam-org/exhibitions/24_acceleration-of-history/gallery/3.jpg?w=400)
Robert Longo (American, b. 1953), Untitled (Snow Storm Forest), 2023.
Charcoal on mounted paper. 93 1/4 × 140 in. (236.86 × 355.6 cm). Private collection
![](https://mam.imgix.net/mam-org/exhibitions/24_acceleration-of-history/gallery/6.jpg?w=400)
Robert Longo (American, b. 1953), Untitled (Nathan Bedford Forrest Statue Removal; Memphis, 2017), 2018.
Charcoal on mounted paper. 70 × 120 in. (177.8 × 304.8 cm). Courtesy of the artist
![](https://mam.imgix.net/mam-org/exhibitions/24_acceleration-of-history/gallery/9.jpg?w=400)
Robert Longo (American, b. 1953), Untitled (Riot Cops), 2016.
Charcoal on mounted paper. 101 × 140 in. (256.54 × 355.6 cm). Carrancedo Collection
![](https://mam.imgix.net/mam-org/exhibitions/24_acceleration-of-history/gallery/12.jpg?w=400)
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Support
Presenting Sponsors
Chris and Jennifer Abele
Kate and Ken Muth
Supporting Sponsors
Richard Buchband and Betsy Rosenblum
Anthony and Vicki Cecalupo
Milwaukee Art Museum’s Contemporary Art Society
Contributing Sponsors
Thomas Hesselbrock and Carl Spatz
The Milwaukee Art Museum extends its sincere thanks to the Visionaries.
Mark and Debbie Attanasio
Donna and Donald Baumgartner
Murph Burke
Joel and Caran Quadracci
Sue and Bud Selig
Jeff and Gail Yabuki and the Yabuki Family Foundation