In this issue of The Nasher, learn about First Sculpture: Handaxe to Figure Stone, a groundbreaking show that presents ancient tools and gathered objects as evidence of the earliest forms of artistic intention. Hear from Nasher Collection artist Richard Deacon on what a day in the life of a human ancestor would have been like 500,000 years ago.
Dive into the annual special section on the Nasher Prize. This year, the 2018 Laureate Theaster Gates, is honored in an insightful essay about the many layers of his dynamic artistic practice by Nasher Assistant Curator Leigh Arnold, followed by a beautiful photo essay by photographer Nan Coulter highlighting some of the details of Gates’s work and archive spaces in Chicago. And, prior to our May Nasher Prize Dialogues program in Glasgow, find a special feature by Katrina Brown, director of renowned art space The Common Guild, who presents a primer on the Scottish city’s many sculptural offerings.
Also in this issue, we introduce a new series about public sculpture; go into the studio with artist Nic Nicosia; present a teaser for an artwork that will be created in the Nasher garden by SOLUNA artists Jeff Gibbons and Gregory Ruppe; and take a look a look at the burgeoning international art fair scene.