Virginia Jaramillo (American, born 1939), “Untitled,” 1967, acrylic on canvas, 84 x 60 1/4 inches. Courtesy of the artist, Hales Gallery, and Pace Gallery © Virginia Jaramillo. Image courtesy of the artist, Hales Gallery, and Pace Gallery. Photo: Frank Oudeman.
The Bechtler Museum of Modern Art is set to spotlight a groundbreaking artist with “Virginia Jaramillo: Principle of Equivalence,” the first comprehensive retrospective of the Latina modernist’s extraordinary 60-year career. Opening February 8, 2025, the exhibition features 70 works spanning 1963 to 2023, including striking paintings and handmade paper pieces that highlight Jaramillo’s pivotal role in American post-war abstraction.
Curated by Erin Dziedzic, formerly of the Kemper Museum of Contemporary Art, the show arrives in Charlotte after a successful debut at the Museum of Contemporary Art, Chicago. Bechtler Curator Katia Zavistovski has tailored the Charlotte presentation, continuing the museum’s mission to showcase underrepresented voices in modernism and expand the narrative of global art history.
“This exhibition celebrates Jaramillo’s immense contributions to American abstraction and her ability to weave diverse cultural perspectives into her work,” said Todd D. Smith, Executive Director of the Bechtler. “It’s a powerful moment to recognize an artist who has long deserved her place in the modernist canon.”
A Journey Through Form, Color, and Culture
Born in El Paso, Texas, in 1939, Virginia Jaramillo’s artistic journey has taken her from the deserts of Los Angeles to Paris and the vibrant New York art scene of the 1960s and ’70s. Her works draw on an eclectic mix of influences, including physics, mythology, ancient cultures, and modernist design, exploring both earthly and metaphysical realms.
The retrospective is organized into six series, tracing the evolution of Jaramillo’s creative practice over six decades:
The Black Paintings (1963–1965): Early works inspired by the California desert, featuring innovative materials and textures.
The Paris Paintings (1965): A pivotal series created during her transformative year in Paris, showcasing shifts in colour and brushwork.
The Curvilinear Paintings (Late 1960s–Early 1970s): Breakthrough works defined by sweeping lines set against bold, flat colour fields.
The Stained Paintings (1970s): Ethereal, multilayered surfaces of paint that appear almost aqueous.
Handmade Paper Works (1979–2000s): Pieces crafted from linen fibres and pigments, evoking archaeological sites, cosmic imagery, and scientific ideas.
Recent Paintings (2018–2023): Vibrant contemporary works that delve into geography, mythology, and the metaphysical.
“This exhibition reveals the breadth of Jaramillo’s experimentation and her ability to merge the material with the metaphysical,” said Zavistovski. “Her work opens new dimensions within the story of modernism.”
A Legacy in the Making
Virginia Jaramillo’s practice challenges the Eurocentric narrative of modernism, positioning her as a vital figure in the broader story of post-war abstraction. Her work reflects a unique fusion of cultures and ideas, offering a fresh perspective on the intersections of art, science, and spirituality.
The exhibition is accompanied by a fully illustrated catalogue, published by Yale University Press. Featuring essays by leading scholars, the publication delves into Jaramillo’s innovative techniques and her impact on the evolution of modernist art.
Experience the Bechtler
Opened in 2010, the Bechtler Museum of Modern Art has become a cornerstone of Charlotte’s cultural scene, dedicated to celebrating the legacies of modern art. The museum houses works by 20th-century giants like Picasso, Warhol, Giacometti, and Bridget Riley, alongside a growing focus on overlooked and underrepresented artists.
Designed by Swiss architect Mario Botta, the museum’s striking building is an artwork in itself, with Niki de Saint Phalle’s iconic Firebird sculpture greeting visitors at its plaza. Beyond its exhibitions, the Bechtler hosts a dynamic lineup of live music, artist talks, and creative events for all ages, cementing its role as a vibrant cultural hub.
“Virginia Jaramillo: Principle of Equivalence” runs from February 8 to June 15, 2025. Don’t miss this rare opportunity to explore the life and work of a true trailblazer in modern art.
