Dear Colleagues,
I am pleased to share the news that Kenneth Brummel, Associate Curator, Modern Art, has been appointed to the position of Curator of 20th Century Art at the Joslyn Art Museum in Omaha, Nebraska. It is an exciting opportunity and truly reflects Kenneth’s curatorial and professional excellence.
Kenneth joined the AGO in 2014 as Assistant Curator, Modern Art, and was promoted to Associate Curator, Modern Art in 2019. He has left an indelible mark on the Modern and Contemporary Art Department, and the AGO during his 7-year tenure. His scholarship, commitment, and determination have led to the implementation of many successful projects.
Most recently, Kenneth curated the acclaimed exhibition Picasso: Painting the Blue Period, which is now on view at our partner institution, The Phillips Collection, in Washington, D.C. The exhibition is enthusiastically reviewed by The Wall Street Journal as a curatorially innovative, “not to miss” show. Also in 2021, Kenneth curated the AGO presentation of the Andy Warhol, organized byTate Modern. His other major projects over the years include Mitchell/ Riopelle: Nothing in Moderation (2018; organized in partnership with Musée national des beaux-arts du Québec), Anthony Caro: Sculpture Laid Bare (2016/17), SuperReal: Pop Art from the AGO Collection (2016/17), Painting Tranquility: Masterworks by Vilhelm Hammershøi, (2016; organized by SMK – The National Gallery of Denmark, Copenhagen), and A New Look: 1960s and ‘70s Abstract Painting at the AGO (2015/16). Kenneth curated numerous collection installations in various spaces at the AGO. Kenneth’s art historical research included the technical studies that he helped coordinate on the AGO’s two Blue Period paintings by Picasso have been included in The New York Times, National Geographic, Smithsonian Magazine, The Guardian, the BBC and other international media outlets.
He fostered deep relationships with modern art collectors and patrons in Toronto and beyond. One of the most notable gifts he stewarded was a major painting by Helen Frankenthaler.
The opportunity at the Joslyn Art Museum will allow Kenneth to continue deepening the scholarship, collection-building, and exhibition-making in the field of Modern Art. I have no doubt that his work will have a lasting impact. Kenneth’s last day at the AGO is March 18, and he begins work at Joslyn Art Museum in early May.
Please join me in congratulating Kenneth’s on his accomplishments at the AGO, and on this exciting appointment. We wish him the very best in his future endeavors.
Sincerely,
Xiaoyu