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Watch Artists Reflect on the Power of Philip Guston’s Paintings

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Philip Guston, Rug, 1976, oil on canvas, Gift of Edward R. Broida, 2005.142.19

Why Philip Guston now? Cecily Brown, Glenn Ligon, and Musa Mayer, the painter’s daughter, weigh in on what makes Guston’s works compelling today.

Philip Guston is considered one of America’s greatest modern painters. The artist is the subject of our major exhibition charting his 50-year career, Philip Guston Now (March 2–August 27).

We spoke with Musa Mayer, the artist’s daughter and president of the Guston Foundation, as well as British painter Cecily Brown and American artist Glenn Ligon. Both Brown and Ligon are renowned creators who have found inspiration in Guston’s paintings and practice. Brown’s expressive paintings reference both art history and contemporary culture, like Guston’s. Ligon is known for creating works that address our nation’s history and culture.

Hear how Guston’s brave approach and innovative styles have influenced their own work—and why his paintings still resonate today.

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