The Rothko Museum has launched an open call targeting artists based in France to participate in a group exhibition dedicated to the legacy of French modernist painter Yves Brayer, scheduled to open in September 2026. The announcement marks a significant international initiative by the museum, which is reaching across borders to assemble a diverse cohort of contemporary voices. The exhibition will form part of the Rothko Museum's autumn 2026 season.
The forthcoming show will be curated by French curator Gilles Bonnevialle and will use Brayer's paintings from the 1930s and 1940s as its central point of departure. Brayer, a prominent figure in French modernism, produced work during that period that explored landscape, light, and the human figure with a distinctive Mediterranean sensibility. The exhibition aims to examine how that legacy resonates with and influences contemporary artistic practice in France today.
Artists based in France who wish to be considered for the group exhibition are encouraged to submit their applications through the museum's official open call process. The selection process is expected to bring together a range of disciplines and approaches, with curators seeking work that engages meaningfully with themes present in Brayer's historical output. Specific eligibility criteria, submission deadlines, and application materials have been outlined by the museum as part of the formal announcement.
The Rothko Museum, known for its commitment to bridging historical and contemporary artistic dialogue, has positioned this exhibition as a cross-cultural project connecting its own institutional identity with the broader European modernist tradition. By inviting French artists specifically, the museum signals an intent to ground the show in a living conversation rooted in the country where Brayer developed his practice. Bonnevialle's involvement as curator further underscores the project's Franco-centric curatorial perspective.
The September 2026 opening places the exhibition within what is expected to be a prominent slot in the museum's annual programming calendar. The Rothko Museum has not yet announced how many artists will ultimately be selected for inclusion in the group show. Artists and interested parties are advised to consult the museum's official communications for full details regarding submission requirements and deadlines.
