Maryland State Wire

The Baltimore Museum of Art (BMA) has announced the acquisition of approximately 150 works by artists from around the world. The new additions to the collection include paintings, sculptures, mixed media works, video installations, textiles, jewelry, and works on paper. Among the notable artists whose works have been acquired are Thomas Hart Benton, Katherine Bradford, Manuel Felguérez, Helen Frankenthaler, Maia Cruz Palileo, Kaveri Raina, María Josefa Sánchez, Kelly Akashi, Ida Applebroog, Tracey Emin, Alicia Henry, Roxy Paine, Josh Kline, Betty Cooke, Ansoumana Diédhiou and Arline Fisch.

The BMA's vision to support artists in creating new work is reflected in its acquisition of "Fire on the Mountain" (2025), a sculpture by Abigail Lucien. This piece is part of a new body of work commissioned for Lucien’s first solo museum presentation. Also added to the collection is "clouds XVI" (2024) by Kenturah Davis. Both pieces are significant as they are the first works by these artists to be included in the museum's collection.

In addition to international acquisitions, several works by artists connected to Baltimore have been added. Notably among them is "Bale Variant No 0027 (Charm City Girl Stele)" (2022) by Shinique Smith. This freestanding sculpture was gifted by Smith in memory of her grandparents and serves as a monument reflecting resilience and place-making within local Black communities.

Asma Naeem stated: “The acquisitions announced today reflect the BMA’s deeply intentional and concerted efforts to enhance our collection with new voices and to strengthen holdings of important genres, movements and creative evolutions.” She emphasized that their vision aims at leveraging their collection to tell diverse stories about people and cultures.

Highlights from this acquisition include Ansoumana Diédhiou's tapestry "Polygamie," Tracey Emin's "The Doors VIII," Manuel Felguérez's painting "Conocimiento permanente," Maia Cruz Palileo's painting "The Invitation," María Josefa Sánchez's cross painting "The Crucifixion or Cell Cross," and Henry Taylor’s self-portrait titled "Fade to Black."

Founded in 1914 with an expansive story-telling approach through art exhibitions and programs across different eras and cultures including contemporary artists from diverse backgrounds; BMA continues its mission with free general admission allowing everyone access to enjoy art.