The National Gallery of Art will add works by artist LaToya Hobbs as part of a number of notable new acquisitions for display.
Hobbs’ work will join the collection for the first time alongside other artists such as Lorraine O’Grady, Stacy Kranitz, and Marie Bracquemond. The prints on display include her “Transition: Double Self Portrait.” “Ark of Safety” and “Dahlias for Naima.” All three works explore topics such as Black womanhood, motherhood, cultural identity and beauty. They are also heavily inspired by Elizabeth Catlett.
Catlett was a sculptor and graphic artist whose work depicted the lives of Black American women and working-class people throughout the 20th century. Her granddaughter, Naima Mora, appears in the woodcut “Dahlias for Naima.”
Other artists that will be added to the National Gallery of Art’s collection include Maria Josefa Sanchez, Wilfredo Lam and Christina Quarles.
These additions reflect different movements and the creative use of different materials.
“Spanning over five centuries, our latest acquisitions provide new opportunities to engage with major artistic innovations by offering new points of entry into the practices of both established and lesser-known artists. The historical breadth of these works reflects our commitment to expanding the scope of our collection by showcasing artistic excellence across time periods,” said Kaywin Feldman, director of the National Gallery of Art, per a statement. “These new additions further expand key areas of our collection, reflecting the vibrancy of artistic creation across centuries and geographies.”
Born in Little Rock, Arkansas, Hobbs first received a B.A. in painting from the University of Arkansas after switching from biology to painting. While at the university, she was mentored by artists Delita Martin and AJ Smith.
Hobbs then earned an MFA at Purdue University before taking a teaching position at the Maryland Institute College of Art.
Since obtaining her education, she has held a variety of exhibitions, including the “It’s Time” exhibition at Harvard Art Museums. Displayed in 2024, the exhibition focused on her “Carving Out Time” series, a number of woodcuts focused on her private life.
Along with her art, Hobbs is notable for co-founding Black Women of Print, an organization of Black women printmakers based in the U.S. Through their collaboration, the women focus on achieving equity within the making of the art form.
For her work, Hobbs has received several accolades, including the Janet and Walter Sondheim Artscape Prize. She was also a finalist for the Queen Sonja Print Award.
