Montclair Art Museum Presents: Nanette Carter: A Question of Balance

Montclair, NJ (February 4) – The Montclair Art Museum (MAM) proudly announces the opening of Nanette Carter: A Question of Balance, a groundbreaking exhibition celebrating the career of esteemed artist Nanette Carter. The exhibition opens on February 8, 2025, and runs through July 6, 2025.

This marks the first major museum survey of Carter's illustrious career, which spans nearly five decades. Known for her innovative large-scale collages constructed from painted Mylar, Carter’s work explores the delicate interplay of balance—both as a visual and thematic element—while reflecting the complexities of contemporary life.

Guest curator Mary Birmingham highlights the exhibition’s significance: “Nanette Carter has been creating extraordinary art for decades, yet this is the first time her work has been presented on this scale. This exhibition not only showcases her recent innovative works but also traces the evolution of her artistic vision from her early years as a student in Montclair to today.”

The exhibition includes 46 works, providing a comprehensive view of Carter’s artistic journey. Highlights include early prints and paintings, as well as monumental recent works from her series such as Cantilevered, Destabilizing, and Shifting Perspectives. Visitors will also experience Carter's video piece The Weight, which vividly portrays her creative process.

A Lifelong Connection to Montclair
Raised in Montclair, Carter has deep ties to the community that helped shape her artistic and personal identity. Her father, Matthew G. Carter, was Montclair’s first Black mayor and a prominent civil rights advocate. His leadership extended to the Montclair Art Museum, where he helped found the African American Cultural Committee and spearheaded efforts to celebrate Black artists.

Nanette Carter’s upbringing in Montclair fostered her love for art from an early age. From learning printmaking at Nishuane Elementary School to majoring in art at Montclair High School, where she took daily classes that deepened her technical skills and creative expression, to attending classes at the Montclair Art Museum, her formative years were steeped in creativity. Her works often reflect the dynamic tension between abstraction and the world around her, a balance she likens to navigating life’s challenges.

Themes of Balance and Social Reflection
At the heart of Carter’s work is the concept of balance—not only as a compositional tool but also as a metaphor for societal and personal challenges. Her recent series grapple with themes of societal upheaval, cultural shifts, and the weight of history. Works such as Afro Sentinels III address global issues impacting Black and Brown communities, while others explore the chaos and instability of modern life.

“MAM has long celebrated artists who push boundaries, and Nanette Carter’s work exemplifies that spirit,” said Gail Stavitsky, MAM’s Chief Curator. “Her ability to engage abstract forms to comment on contemporary issues places her within a rich tradition of Black abstractionists, a legacy that is only recently receiving broader recognition.”

Large-Scale Artwork
Carter's site-specific installation, Nanette Carter: Shifting Perspectives, will remain on view in the Laurie Art Stairway for the duration of the exhibition. The monumental vinyl banner was adapted from Carter’s Shifting Perspectives #6 (2024), which is also featured in Nanette Carter: A Question of Balance in the Weston Gallery, thereby unifying the two shows.

Public Programming and Events
To deepen engagement with the exhibition, MAM will host a series of public programs, including gallery tours, artist talks, and community discussions. These events will offer visitors the opportunity to explore Carter’s work in greater depth and connect with the artist’s vision.

Exhibition Support and Catalog
Nanette Carter: A Question of Balance is accompanied by a fully illustrated catalog, featuring essays by guest curator Mary Birmingham, Kimberli Gant, Curator of Modern and Contemporary Art at the Brooklyn Museum, and Nanette Carter. The catalog offers critical insights into Carter’s life, artistic journey, and the broader context of Black abstraction in contemporary art.

Visit the Exhibition
The Montclair Art Museum invites visitors to experience the vibrant, thought-provoking work of Nanette Carter. For more information, including ticketing and program schedules, visit montclairartmuseum.org/exhibition/nanette-carter-question-balance.

Support & Acknowledgments
Nanette Carter: A Question of Balance is made possible with generous support from the *Lyn and Glenn Reiter Endowed Special Exhibition Fund, the Judith Targan Endowment Fund for Museum Publications, Heather and Vincent Benjamin, Susan V. Bershad Charitable Fund, Nanette Carter, Cynthia Corhan-Aitken and Murray Aitken, Christine James and Nick De Toustain, Wendy and Andrew Lacey, Lana Masor, Ann and Mel Schaffer, Toni LeQuire-Schott and Newton B. Schott, Jr., Sasha and Charlie Sealy, Sidney and Jonathan Simon, Sharon and Robert Taylor, Robert L. Tortoriello, Sharon Burton Turner and Lincoln Turner, Margo and Frank Walter, and Joan and Donald Zief.

^{All MAM programs are made possible in part by funds from the New Jersey State Council on the Arts, a partner agency of the National Endowment of the Arts, and Museum members.}

^{About the Montclair Art Museum (MAM)
Founded in 1914, the Montclair Art Museum (MAM) is one of the nation's leading art institutions, known for its dedication to American and Native American art. MAM serves as a cultural hub for the community, offering exhibitions, educational programs, and a commitment to showcasing diverse artistic voices.}