Philadelphians can check out the work of two acclaimed artists under one roof with Germantown Historical Society’s latest exhibit, ‘American Mythologies.’
Open now through the end of the month (Nov. 22), the showcase highlights the creative talents of Philadelphia-based artists Tom Judd and Mark Stockton, both of whom delve into parallel explorations of American myths through the decades using mediums like large-scale paintings, drawings, mixed media, sound and immersive installations.
Both artists have paired the contemporary artwork of the site alongside historical artifacts, some of which are unique to the area, like the neighboring home of George Washington, Gilbert Stuart's Anteneum Portrait, and the Society’s own wallpaper and artifacts.
The showcase is peppered throughout the historical society venue, beginning in the Parlor with the many faces of George Washington, exploring “how his image became a powerful symbol of liberty, freedom, and American identity.”
As a release notes, the next gallery highlights Judd’s mixed media works, which reflect on stories of frontier expansion and Manifest Destiny. The final gallery takes a darker look at shared history, featuring Stockton’s large-scale drawing of Richard Nixon and different moments of conflict and controversy in American presidential history, from exploitation and impeachment to assassination and rebellion.
“We are thrilled to present, for the first time, a collaboratively designed and curated exhibit of and by Tom Judd and Mark Stockton,” says Tuomi Forrest, executive director of Historic Germantown. “The artists’ works both reference local history and connect to larger national narratives or 'myths,’ especially around the American presidency, that are created in part through art and image-making. This exhibit continues the recent use of the Germantown Historical Society's galleries to present contemporary art that engages topics of local history and/or the built and natural environment.”
The timing of the showcase is also pertinent, as the nation approaches its semiquincenetennial in 2026. As the Society says, the exhibition offers a visual chronicle of the stories that have molded the rich and complex fabric of American identity.
This free exhibition is open to visitors on Thursdays from noon to 4 p.m., and Fridays and Saturdays from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. To learn more about ‘American Mythologies’ and the Germantown Historical Society (5501 Germantown Ave.), visit germantownhistory.org
