New Norman Rockwell Museum Exhibit Highlights SS United States
“Finding Home: Four Artists’ Journeys” will Feature Famed Illustrator David Macaulay’s New Book, Crossing on Time, and a Massive Model of the SS United States.
STOCKBRIDGE MA—Depicting poignant stories of immigrating to America, a new exhibition at the Norman Rockwell Museum showcases the journeys and rich family narratives of four renowned artists. For famed author-illustrator David Macaulay, that journey included a transatlantic voyage on board America’s Flagship, the SS United States. That trip, chronicled in his new book, Crossing on Time: Steam Engines, Fast Ships and a Journey to the New World, will be featured in Finding Home: Four Artists’ Journeys, opening November 10.
The SS United States Conservancy has loaned the Museum an 11-foot-long model of the great ocean liner to give visitors a three-dimensional reference for the historic vessel depicted in Macaulay’s illustrations. The huge model, never before placed on public display, weighs in at more than 300 pounds. The finely-crafted model was a gift to the Conservancy from the family of Douglas Bushnell. Additional items from the Conservancy’s extensive permanent collection on loan for the exhibit include vintage travel posters, photographs, and even an aluminum rivet from the 990-foot-long ocean liner.
“Norman Rockwell was an American original who captured our nation’s singular spirit in his work, just as the SS United States is a unique achievement and symbol of our nation the world over,” stated SS United States Conservancy President Susan Gibbs. “The history of immigration and that of transatlantic ocean liners – culminating in the great SS United States – are closely connected. David Macaulay’s childhood journey aboard America’s Flagship, as rendered in his exquisite illustrations, helps convey the vessel’s unique role in shaping the American story.”
Founded in 1969 with the help of Norman and Molly Rockwell, the Museum is dedicated to the enjoyment and study of Rockwell’s work and his contributions to society, popular culture, and social commentary. The Museum houses the world’s largest and most significant collection of Rockwell’s work, including 835 original paintings and drawings. It presents, preserves, and studies the art of illustration and the power visual images have to shape and reflect society.
“We are thrilled that this exhibition is able to connect Norman Rockwell Museum with the SS United States which is such an important vessel and public landmark” says Martin Mahoney, Director of Curatorial Operations at NRM. “Bringing history and contemporary art together helps to illuminate the story of our shared past.”
Other series of illustrations featured as part of the exhibition include, Amalgam by Frances Jetter, Dreamers by Yuyi Morales and Leaving China: An Artist Paints His World War II Life by James McMullan. Finding Home is open to the public and runs at the Normal Rockwell Museum through May of 2020. The Museum is open 10 A.M. to 4 P.M. daily and 10 A.M. to 5 P.M. weekends.
ABOUT THE NORMAN ROCKWELL MUSEUM Celebrating its 50th Anniversary in 2019, the Norman Rockwell Museum is dedicated to education and art appreciation inspired by the legacy of Norman Rockwell. The Museum holds the world’s largest and most significant collection of art and archival materials relating to Rockwell’s life and work, while also preserving, interpreting, and exhibiting a growing collection of art by other American illustrators throughout history. The Museum engages diverse audiences through onsite and traveling exhibitions, as well as publications, arts and humanities programs, including the Rockwell Center for American Visual Studies, and comprehensive online resources. For more information visit www.NRM.org
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