Press Releases

An addition to the Abbas exhibition!

February 5, 2016

The Robert Rauschenberg Foundation donated two prints by artist Shirin Neshat to the University of Pennsylvania Art Collection for educational use, to foster dialogue about challenging international issues. The prints are on view at the Arthur Ross Gallery from January 19-March 20, 2016

In December 2015, the University of Pennsylvania Art Collection received a donation of two limited-edition prints by internationally acclaimed visual artist Shirin Neshat. As a partnership with Penn’s Arthur Ross Gallery, the prints are on view within the exhibition “Abbas: Children of Abraham.” The Robert Rauschenberg Foundation donated the prints in a campaign to foster cross-cultural discussions in the wake of recent events in Europe and the Middle East. The prints – Ghada and Sayed – are part of Neshat’s “Our House is on Fire” series, an exploration of Egypt after the Arab Spring, which the Robert Rauschenberg Foundation supported. Lynn Marsden-Atlass, Director of the Arthur Ross Gallery and University Curator comments: “We are thrilled to be among 33 international and US universities to receive as a gift two photographs by renowned Iranian artist Shirin Neshat for the University’s Art Collection. Neshat’s art will foster ongoing dialogue about the Middle East, women, and cross-cultural understanding.” “Due to recent events in Europe and the Middle East, we believe that it is more important than ever to engage in cross-cultural discussions,” said Christy MacLear, executive director of the Robert Rauschenberg Foundation. “Neshat’s project embodies Rauschenberg’s own belief that art could change the dialogue for challenging international issues. Our goal with this donation is to encourage dialogue about the portraits’ artistic, cultural, and political value while also creating an opportunity for academic departments to collaborate with school museums and galleries.” About the University of Pennsylvania Art Collection: The University of Pennsylvania Art Collection includes over 7,000 artworks acquired during the past 250 years. The collection is displayed in buildings and outdoor spaces throughout the main campus, the Morris Arboretum, and the New Bolton Center. Diverse in scope, the collection includes painting, sculpture, works on paper, photography, and decorative arts. Penn’s Art Collection is intended for the enrichment of all, and its public installation enhances the daily experience of students, faculty, staff, and community members. Website: Artcollection.upenn.edu About the Robert Rauschenberg Foundation: The Robert Rauschenberg Foundation fosters the legacy of the life, artistic practice, and activist philosophy of one of the most important artists of the 20th century. Through exhibitions, scholarship, grants, and a residency program, the Foundation furthers Rothenberg’s belief that art can change the world. Website: rauschenbergfoundation.org Media contact: Heather Moqtaderi, hgm@upenn.edu, (215) 898-5945