The Making of Evolution: A Lecture with Painter Alexis Rockman

Please join us for “The Making of Evolution”, a lecture by Alexis Rockman. Evolution (1992) is the first epic 8x24 foot panoramic painting of Rockman’s career, and an integral part of the current Museum of Glass exhibition . The monumental work greets visitors at the entrance of the exhibition, which offers a glimpse into the changing view of nature over the last century. Evolution confronts us with astonishing power, depicting a dystopian scene that causes us to ask: What has happened to the world? What has happened to all the species? Where are the humans?

This lecture will discuss the conception, execution, and history of this magnum opus — an encyclopedic spectacle encompassing many of Rockman’s obsessions with the collection of his childhood haunt, The American Museum of Natural History. Evolution was showcased at the Carnegie Museum and the Venice Biennale and paved the way for many other epic history paintings about the history of humans tricky relationship to the planet, extinction, the bio diversity crisis, and climate change.

Reception with wine and light bites to follow. This is event is $10 for the general public and free for students. Please RSVP below.

Event Venue & Nearby Stays

Museum of Glass, 1801 Dock Street, Tacoma, United States