Upcoming Exhibition
Artists on Fire
Todd Hido (American, born 1968), “#11176-7589,” 2014
Images of flames, smoke, and steam sit alongside depictions of Greek gods and visions of hell.
This selection of prints, drawings, and photographs from the permanent collection explores the element of fire, both literal and conceptual. Images of flames, smoke, and steam sit alongside depictions of Greek gods and visions of hell. Photographs of war and civil unrest represent the fear and destruction fire can evoke, while other compositions focus on pipe and cigarette smoking, displaying human beings’ desire to hold fire in their hands and bodies. Warm sunbeams and glowing, distant stars show nature’s capacity to create heat and flame. The works in this exhibition span the seventeenth century to the present and include recent additions to the collection as well as many works that have not been seen in decades. Featured artists include Richard Boseman, Cai Guo-Qiang, Todd Hido, Ana Mendieta, Alexander Calder, and many more.
“Artists on Fire” is organized by Senior Curator Laura Burkhalter.
Special thanks to Bryan Noble and Tim Burgess, whose generous gifts and loans helped make this exhibition possible.
Todd Hido (American, born 1968)
#11176-7589, 2014
Archival pigment print on Hahnemuhle Photorag Baryta paper
Des Moines Art Center Permanent Collections; Gift of the Pilara Family Foundation, 2025.17
