Current Exhibition

Recession Indicators

Curator(s): Fin Jones, Gabriel Currie

March 6th - April 4th, 2026

A woman with a rare Labubu attached to her Prada purse sits next to a woman using plastic takeout bags to hold her belongings, just a seat apart. Cheap recession pop is back, but people are spending hundreds of dollars for a concert ticket. Hailey Bieber is spilling her groceries in a footwear ad while SNAP benefits are at risk nationwide. Simply put, the massive differences in displayed consumption are exacerbating class inequalities in the U.S.

Consumption is political, not just in regard to what we consume, but how we consume and how we display it. As we see a rise in income inequality and economic insecurity in the U.S. (food apartheid, rising living costs, unaffordable housing, a failing job market, rising tariffs), we have also seen an increase of wealthy commodity displays and aesthetics. Items and products once deemed to be common or classless (groceries, plastic to-go bags, pubic hair) are becoming commodified by companies and advertisers. A plethora of brands are using food in their promotional images, Telfar released a collection of reusable duffel bags themed after single-use takeout bags, and Kim Kardashian is selling underwear with pre-made bush.

This exhibition would explore the role of consumption as capital and as a mode of politics, and questions: How do displays of (hyper)consumption further exacerbate gaps in wealth? How do they function as a sign of cultural capital in this relationship? How can art focused around consumption facilitate discussions on inequities, sustainability, and distribution of capital in our current climate? And why do I still want to consume so much?!

Anneliese Jean Peerbolte
Neo Cleofe
Julia Csekö
Paola Silva Lizárraga
Clara Davis
Carl The
Brendan Calalang
Elan Cohen
Tainá Rocha
Anastasia Glass
JULIA YOO
YooHyun Jeon
Antonio Michaels
Alex Iler

Matilda Love
Co&Lee
Laura Beth Reese
Marcela Podolak
Ife Adebanjo
Mai Pham
Becca McTeigue
Griffin Johnstone
Acacia Blyth
Cassandra Kellner
Rebecca Birenbaum
Geri Hart

Upcoming Exhibitions

School of the Museum of Fine Arts: Club Curate

Defunded/Defunked!

Curator(s): Mai Pham

Opening Reception: April 17th, 6-8pm

April 10th - May 2nd, 2026

What does it cost to rebel? Can you throw more money at a manifesto and hope it lands in the right hands? In an age of heightened political polarization, crises of personal faith, and tenable divides between the individual and the universal, the role of the artist is challenged more than ever. This exhibition is an earnest inquiry into how younger artists are responding to the status quo and its institutional parameters, whether it be through playful pastiches, or unbridled transgressions. The title's dual meaning reflects growing concern and material constraint over nationwide arts funding while the latter an acknowledgement of the playfully defiant history of funk art. While the tradition of funk art is not concerned with public morality, its frivolous and vulgar indulgence in the expression of a subjective self proved to become a vital sanctuary for marginalized communities in the San Francisco Bay Area in the 70s. Given this history, how can we re-interpret this spirit of one's subjective, humorous rebellion in the new technological age? How can we respond to our changing, material reality with the least amount of money given and generate the biggest reactions?

Defunded/Defunked! brings together instances and impulses for release from what's de facto towards relief and joy. All mediums are welcomed. Participating artists are encouraged to work across multimedia, such as installation, video, and performance-based mediums.

Curator: Mai Pham

Artists: Co & Lee - Dana Colston - Daria Jin - Diego Gonzalez - Elan Cohen - Helena Abdelnasser - J Grace Giordano - Julia McGhean - Kai Barker Dennet - Kalim Fernandes - Mai Pham - Maryamma Blankson - Matilda Love - Mikey Sims - Paola Michelle Silva Lizarrage - Paul Fauller - Shiyeon Ku - Young One