The first major museum exhibition devoted to the subject, Multiplicity presents over 80 major collage and collage-informed works that reflect the breadth and complexity of Black identity. Featuring an intergenerational group of 52 living artists, Multiplicity explores the varying ways collage is employed and how the technique suggests diverse conceptual concerns such as cultural hybridity, notions of beauty, gender fluidity, and historical memory. By assembling pieces of paper, photographs, fabric, and salvaged or repurposed materials, these artists create unified compositions that express the endless possibilities of Black-constructed narratives despite our fragmented society.

Watch some of the artists in the exhibition talk about their work.


Artists in the exhibition

  • Nina Chanel Abney
  • Derrick Adams
  • Njideka Akunyili Crosby
  • Radcliffe Bailey
  • Sanford Biggers
  • McArthur Binion
  • Brittney Boyd Bullock
  • Mark Bradford
  • Tay Butler
  • Zoë Charlton
  • Andrea Chung
  • Jamal Cyrus
  • M. Florine Démosthène
  • Derek Fordjour
  • Genevieve Gaignard
  • Lauren Halsey
  • Kahlil Robert Irving
  • Tomashi Jackson
  • Arthur Jafa
  • Rashid Johnson
  • Yashua Klos
  • YoYo Lander
  • Rick Lowe
  • Kerry James Marshall
  • Rod McGaha
  • Lester Julian Merriweather
  • Helina Metaferia
  • Wardell Milan
  • Joiri Minaya
  • Troy Montes Michie
  • Devin N. Morris
  • Wangechi Mutu
  • Narcissister
  • Rashaad Newsome
  • Lovie Olivia
  • Ebony G. Patterson
  • Howardena Pindell
  • Jamea Richmond-Edwards
  • Deborah Roberts
  • Lanecia A. Rouse
  • Tschabalala Self
  • Vitus Shell
  • Devan Shimoyama
  • David Shrobe
  • Lorna Simpson
  • Nyugen E. Smith
  • Paul Anthony Smith
  • Shinique Smith
  • Mickalene Thomas
  • Kara Walker
  • Didier William
  • Kandis Williams



Related Local Projects and Public Art

Lovie Olivia: Beauty as a Method. Tinney Contemporary, September 9–October 28

Rod McGaha Immersive Performance: Regeneration. Christ Church Cathedral, September 17

Artville Talks: A Conversation with Derrick Adams, Moderated by Frist Art Museum senior curator Katie Delmez. Wedgewood-Houston Neighborhood. September 29

Vitus Shell: To Whom It May Concern. Vanderbilt University Space 204, EBI Studio Arts Center. October 12–November 9

A related exhibition of African American artists working in collage during the mid-twentieth century, including Romare Bearden, David Driskell, and Sam Middleton will be presented this fall at Fisk University’s Carl Van Vechten Art Gallery. Dates TBA.  

Helina Metaferia, Fisk University

Derek Fordjour, Tennessee State University

Tay Butler, William Edmondson Park, Edgehill Neighborhood



Multiplicity catalogue cover

The exhibition is accompanied by a catalogue with scholarly essays and will travel to the Museum of Fine Arts, Houston and The Phillips Collection.

The catalogue is available in the Frist Art Museum gift shop.


Organized by the Frist Art Museum


Platinum sponsor

HCA logo

Supported by a major grant from

Henry Luce Foundation logo

Leadership support provided by

Drs. Turner &
Phylanice Nashe


This project is supported in part by

National Endowment for the Arts logo
Nissan Foundation logo
Ameriprise logo

Hospitality sponsors

Union Station and Grand Hyatt logos

Education and Community Engagement supporter

Windgate Foundation logo

Spanish translation sponsor

CLACX logo

Presented in part by

Frist Foundation, Metro Arts, Tennessee Arts Commission, and National Endowment for the Arts logos



Exhibition gallery

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