JOSHUA HAGLER: Nihil II / Nor the Moon in its Water

JOSHUA HAGLER: Nihil II / Nor the Moon in its Water

Joshua Hagler’s Nihil II / Nor the Moon in its Water, is the second in an ongoing series of exhibitions informed by imagery inspired by the artist’s visual encounters while traveling in New Mexico as well as childhood memories related to the loss of a younger brother. For this Nihil iteration, Hagler duplicates his drawings and sculptures, and then presents the versions within the two cells of the OJAC’s jail structure. As a result, each becomes a shadow or reflection of the other. Hagler states that “one could think of the installation as two exhibitions—one as the deteriorating memory, or a dampened echo of the other.” He admits that any specific meaning in the work is of less importance than what is experienced during its making and also when it is viewed.

The 2024 Cell Series of exhibitions is generously supported by Paula & Parker Jameson and the McGinnis Family Fund of Communities Foundation of Texas with additional funding from Jay & Barbra Clack, Kathy Webster in memory of Charles H. Webster, and Dr. Larry Wolz.

JOSHUA HAGLER, Dance Hall I, 2018 – 2023, graphite, charcoal, oil, pastel, wax on found student whiteboard. Courtesy of the artist and Cris Worley Fine Arts, Dallas, TX.


JOSHUA HAGLER, Dance Hall II, 1981-2023, graphite, charcoal, wax on found Baptist instruction book page. Courtesy of the artist and Cris Worley Fine Arts, Dallas, TX.


 

CENTER OF ATTENTION: Selected Acquisitions from the Past Decade

CENTER OF ATTENTION: Selected Acquisitions from the Past Decade

The Old Jail Art Center’s permanent collection began with 325 works of art gifted from co-founders Reilly Nail and Bill Bomar. Through additional gifts, bequests, and purchases, the OJAC holdings now include over 2,300 objects ranging from ancient to contemporary art. Center of Attention presents selections from the 132 works accessioned over the past decade. Close observers will recognize the OJAC’s ongoing commitment to connecting the core collection of mid-20th century works by Fort Worth Circle artists to a wide range of work by contemporary artists—specifically those with a Texas connection. Sixty-two works have been selected for this installation, divided almost equally between works made prior to 1960 and since 1960. The earliest work dates back to 1908 and the most recent works were created in 2023. Collectively, the exhibition demonstrates the thoughtful and committed growth of the museum’s holdings, capturing our collective history in art for future generations.

 

Includes works by: Bale Creek Allen | Seth Alverson | Charis Ammon | Scott Barber | David Bates | Dennis Blagg | Christopher Blay | Charles Peter Bock | Matthew Bourbon | Natasha Bowdoin | Cynthia Brants | Colette Copeland | John Robert Craft | Matthew Cusick | Jason Cytacki | Bill Davenport | Kelly Fearing | Heyd Fontenot | John Fraser | Francesca Fuchs | Karla Garcia | George Grammer | Sam Gummelt | Trenton Doyle Hancock | Luke Harnden | Joseph Havel | Kirk Hayes | James Hough | Wade Jolly | Clinton King | Matt Kleberg | Marjorie Johnson  Lee | Blanche McVeigh | Margaret Meehan | Leigh Merrill | Reilly Nail | John Pomara | Chris Powell | Frank Reaugh | Dickson Reeder | Linda Ridgway | Kurt Roesch | Georges Rouault | Derrick Saunders | Emily Guthrie Smith | Earl Staley | James Surls | Ed Storms | The Art Guys | René Treviño | Brad Tucker | Bror Utter | Jason Villegas | Ronald Watson | Bruce Lee Webb | Kathy Webster | Charles T. Williams| Sarah Williams| Mel Ziegler | Samuel P. Ziegler

Center of Attention is generously supported by Anonymous, John & Ginger Dudley, Margaret & Jim Dudley, Kate & Charles Ferguson, Becky & Ronnie Nail, Betsy & Mike Parsons, and Jon & Dale Stasney.

CHARLES PETER BOCK, Nocturnal (Ruins of Old Fort Griffin), c. 1908, oil on canvas. Museum purchase through funds provided by Shirley Caldwell in honor of Clifton Caldwell, her husband of 59 years. 2017.011