National Gallery of Art, Washington, June 27, 2026–August 1, 2027

Washington, DC—Bringing together over 20 artworks by modern and contemporary artists in the United States, Homelands illustrates how artists have turned to their own experiences and histories to explore relationships between people and place. Drawn from the National Gallery’s collection, works on view reflect the multilayered nature of American society as a nation that has drawn people from all over the world. The exhibition invites audiences to consider the emotional, historical, and cultural bonds that shape concepts of home.

Organized into three thematic sections, Homelands reveals connections to place shaped by family, memory, and belonging. It opens with Untitled (La isla de las lágrimas) (2012), a major new acquisition by Claire Fontaine that looks at Ellis Island as an iconic symbol of American history. This large-scale neon work considers the complexity of leaving one’s place of birth and navigating a new life. A second section reveals the powerful role of memory in creating perceptions of place. Featured works include Kay WalkingStick’s (Cherokee Nation of Oklahoma) majestic painting North Rim Temple (2023), which examines the Indigenous history of the Grand Canyon region. Post-Age (2000), a painting by the Chinese-born artist Hung Liu, demonstrates how the artist processed the turmoil she experienced in her country of origin while she lived in the United States. The exhibition closes with a grouping of artworks that express a sense of longing for—or distance from—the artists’ homelands. Bend (1999–2000, 2020) by Christina Fernandez and La búsqueda (The Search) (1969) by Rafael Soriano speak to the pursuit of kinship in faraway communities. A mirrored map titled A Place to Call Home (Africa America Reflection) (2020) by Hank Willis Thomas looks at the meaning of homeland for diasporic people and prompts viewers to consider their own sense of belonging in the world today.

Together, the works in the exhibition offer insight into how our sense of place is shaped by movement, memory, and personal histories. By presenting perspectives across time and geography, Homelands celebrates the multifaceted nature of the United States and its history.

Exhibition Organization

The exhibition is organized by the National Gallery of Art, Washington.

Exhibition Curators

The exhibition is curated by by E. Carmen Ramos, chief curatorial and conservation officer, and Natalia Ángeles Vieyra, associate curator of Latinx art, both at the National Gallery of Art.

About the National Gallery of Art

The National Gallery of Art welcomes all people to explore art, creativity, and our shared humanity. Millions of people come through its doors each year—with even more online— making it one of the most visited art museums in the world. The National Gallery’s renowned collection includes over 160,000 works of art, from the ancient world to today. Admission to the West and East Buildings, Sculpture Garden, special exhibitions, and public programs is always free.