Framing the ephemeral marks Lois Dodd’s (1927) inaugural European retrospective, presenting a compelling overview of her observational paintings that capture everyday scenes and views with a unique focus on light and atmosphere. Dodd’s technique, characterized by swift application of thin paint layers, captures fleeting never-to-return moments, with a particular focus on the interplay between flatness and pictorial space. In the works, she reveals an utter determination to experience the commonplace anew and to quietly celebrate it. It is rare to find artists who can observe with such clarity and who possess the ability to convey those observations so vividly. Equally remarkable is the longevity of her career: at 97 years old, she has dedicated over 70 years to painting.

The project highlights Dodd as a pioneering but often overlooked female artist, who challenged traditional gender norms in post-war American art. By emphasizing Dodd’s steadfast commitment to observational painting amid prevailing trends favoring Abstract Expressionism, Minimalism and Pop Art, the project enriches understanding of her art historical significance.

Dodd’s institutional acknowledgement is on the rise, but her late entry point reflects broader patterns of systemic inclusion in the art world, where female artists and those who do not adhere to prevailing trends tend to remain unrecognized in collections and exhibition programs despite their great artistic merit. In 2012, at 84, she had her first major retrospective at the Kemper Museum of Contemporary Art in Kansas, and only in 2023, her first ever museum survey in the New York metropolitan area at the Bruce Museum; despite being entrenched and working there for decades. In 2018, Robert Gober donated Dodd’s View through Elliott’s Shack looking south (1971) to the Museum of Modern Art, highlighting her previous lack of representation in major New York museums. Last year, this painting was installed for the first time outside the entrance to the Post-War Permanent Collection Galleries.

Framing the ephemeral aims to introduce Dodd to a wider audience, while showcasing works never exhibited on the European continent. Due to the universal appeal of Dodd’s works, we anticipate that the exhibition will mobilize a diverse audience, capturing not only national attention but also resonate on an international scale. This is partly because of the works remarkable ability to capture the essence of everyday scenes, making them resonate with people from all walks of life.