Marisol: Sculptures and Works on Paper is one of the Brooks Museum of Art's summer exhibits this year. You still have time to see the colorful, expressive pieces from this influential artist.

Marisol Working on “The Family,” 1969. Photo by Jack Mitchell. Photo provided by the Brooks Museum of Art.

Marisol (short for Maria Sol Escobar) is a mixed-media artist and sculptor who was very active in the 1960s in New York City, where she still lives and works today. Her work is influenced by pop art, pre-Columbian folk art, religion, and feminism.

Her 1969 piece The Family (above) was the first piece of art that the Brooks Museum ever commissioned. It's a neon, pop-art-influenced version of a nativity scene (or at least the Mary, Joseph, and Jesus part of the nativity.) When it went on display at the Brooks, it caused a little ruckus around town because of its "irreverance" and infant nudity. Seems a little crazy, but this was the South in the late 60s, and I guess those neon halos were just a bit too much.

Things have relaxed a bit and so Marisol's work is back at the Brooks, this time with a big retrospective exhibit, Marisol: Sculptures and Works on Paper. Go see the 33 different works, which will only be here until September 7. Here's a sampling. (Photo provided by the Brooks Museum of Art.)

There are a few special events to coincide with this exhibit that you should mark down. Click on the links for more info. All of these events take place at the Brooks Museum of Art.

Guided Tour of Marisol: Sculptures and Works on Paper, August 7, 6:30 p.m. - 7:30 p.m.
A docent guided tour of the exhibit

Photo booth, Pop Art & Bubbles: Macy's Meet Marisol Community Day, August 9, 10 a.m. - 1 p.m.
Children's activities and crafts relating to the Marisol exhibit

Must Love Marisol Party: Thursday, August 21, 5:30 p.m. - 9 p.m., (21 and up)
DJs, fashion trucks, dancing, art, photo booth, spoken word, dance lessons, and more

Read more in this Memphis Flyer article, which I also used as a source for some information in this post. The Brooks Museum of Art is open Wednesday - Sundays (go here for exact hours). It's $7 for adults, $6 for seniors/students, $3 for youth and free for kids under 6. The Marisol exhibit is on display until September 7.

Go there:

Marisol: Sculpture and Works on Paper
Memphis Brooks Museum of Art

1934 Poplar Avenue
Memphis, Tennessee, 38104
(901) 544-6200