Podcast Summary: "Artist Jack Whitten's New Major MoMA Retrospective" – All Of It with WNYC

Introduction

In the March 27, 2025 episode of All Of It, hosted by Alison Stewart on WNYC, listeners are introduced to the life and legacy of the late artist Jack Whitten through the lens of his new major retrospective at the Museum of Modern Art (MoMA), titled "Jack the Messenger." This episode features insightful conversations with Mersini Amadon, Whitten's daughter and archival steward, and Michelle Kuo, the lead curator of the MoMA exhibition. The discussion delves deep into Whitten's transformative journey from a pre-med student to a groundbreaking artist, his involvement in the civil rights movement, and the innovative techniques that defined his abstract and experimental works.

Jack Whitten: From Tuskegee to MoMA

The episode begins with Alison Stewart narrating Whitten's pivotal decision to abandon his pre-med studies at Alabama's Tuskegee Institute in 1959 to pursue art in New York City. This bold move resulted in a prolific career spanning over five decades, culminating in a MoMA retrospective that showcases his evolution as an artist.

[00:33] Host: "He decided to drop out, become an artist and move to New York to pursue his dream. And for the rest of us, it's a good thing that he made that choice because the Museum of Modern Art has just opened a new major retrospective of Jack Whitten's work."

Whitten's artistic endeavors earned him a Medal of Arts from President Obama in 2015. His work is deeply influenced by jazz, the cosmos, black leaders, and the civil rights movement, reflecting a commitment to exploring the materiality of paint and pushing the boundaries of abstract art.

The Defining Moment: Transitioning to Art

Alison Stewart introduces Mersini Amadon to discuss the significant transition Whitten made from a pre-med student to an artist.

[02:26] Mersini Amadon: "He was in ROTC class, Air Force. He was studying to become a pre-med doctor and something moved him to get up right in the middle of the class and just say out loud, 'What am I doing here?'"

This moment, described by Mersini as Whitten being "struck by a bolt of lightning," led him to leave Tuskegee, attend Southern University for art studies, and become actively involved in the civil rights movement. Facing threats due to his activism, Whitten sought refuge and artistic growth in New York City, ultimately enrolling in Cooper Union's art program.

Childhood and Influences

Michelle Kuo elaborates on how Whitten's upbringing in the Jim Crow South influenced his art.

[05:03] Michelle Kuo: "Jack Whitten had these extraordinary sensory experiences as a child in the south... his teachers took them on tours of these steel mills and mines and quarries. So in the show at MoMA, you're going to see incredible, luminous paintings that remind you of hot rolled iron, corten steel, minerals, quarries, and these dense, sometimes crystalline materials."

Whitten's father, a coal miner, played a significant role in shaping his son's perception of the world, embedding themes of community and resilience in his work.

Artistic Activism and Representation of Black Leaders

Whitten was not just an artist but also an activist. Mersini highlights his unwavering commitment to social change through art.

[08:08] Mersini Amadon: "Yes, absolutely. I don't think that you can grow up at that time and not have a burning desire to see change and to be part of that change."

Michelle Kuo discusses how Whitten's abstract art pays homage to black leaders without depicting their faces directly.

[08:52] Michelle Kuo: "Jack Whitten was an abstract artist... he saw his works as embodying his subjects. For example, Miles Davis is in the paint. He's in there."

One notable piece, "Homecoming for Miles," embodies Whitten's dedication to honoring figures like Miles Davis through innovative techniques that blend abstraction with personal homage.

Innovative Techniques and Process Artistry

Whitten's reputation as a process artist is a focal point of the discussion. Michelle Kuo explains his relentless experimentation with acrylics and various materials to achieve unique textures and effects.

[15:39] Michelle Kuo: "Jack Whitten might be the process artist. I really know of no other artist in art history of the modern times that invented so many different kinds of processes and techniques and signature styles."

One exemplary work, "Pink Psyche Queen" (1973), showcases his method of layering acrylic paint on the studio floor and manipulating it with a custom wooden tool called the "developer."

[17:22] Michelle Kuo: "He raked across that big wooden tool a final stroke, and he, quote, developed the image. If all of those layers of paint were wet, you would just see a big soup instead. You see this almost elastic tearing of the surfaces of acrylic."

Whitten's studio, preserved posthumously, offers a glimpse into his creative alchemy, filled with pigments, phosphorescent gels, and experimental additives that he meticulously documented in his daily studio logs.

Preservation and Legacy

Mersini Amadon emphasizes the importance of preserving Whitten's studio to maintain the integrity of his creative process.

[14:56] Mersini Amadon: "This studio was like an Aladdin's cave. It was my favorite place to be as a child."

The preservation efforts ensure that future generations can study and appreciate the intricate methods Whitten employed, from embedding eggshells in acrylics to creating multi-layered mosaic tiles that form a cohesive and dynamic whole.

Connection to Lower Manhattan

Whitten's deep-rooted association with Lower Manhattan is explored, with Mersini recounting his early studio days on the Lower East Side and his enduring love for the vibrant artist community in Soho and Tribeca.

[14:01] Mersini Amadon: "One of his first studio spaces was on the Lower East Side... he loved that there were other artists... a tight-knit community of a lot of artists."

This connection not only influenced his work but also cemented his legacy within the artistic hub of New York City.

Jazz: A Fundamental Influence

Jazz music played a crucial role in Whitten's artistic inspiration. Michelle Kuo shares anecdotes highlighting his interactions with jazz legends like Miles Davis and John Coltrane.

[24:38] Michelle Kuo: "Jazz is completely fundamental. He himself played the tenor saxophone... John Coltrane... 'It's like a wave, and that he creates sheets of sound. So Jack Whitten turns around and said, 'I want to make sheets of light.'"

This symbiotic relationship between jazz and his visual art is evident in the rhythmic and improvisational qualities of his paintings, capturing the essence of musical performance on canvas.

Impact and Final Reflections

As the conversation draws to a close, Mersini encourages listeners to approach the MoMA exhibition with curiosity and an open mind, appreciating the multifaceted layers of Whitten's work.

[25:52] Mersini Amadon: "I ask them to come in... Curiosity, just lots of curiosity. Come in with an open mind."

Michelle Kuo adds practical information about the exhibition's duration, emphasizing its accessibility and relevance.

[26:29] Michelle Kuo: "This runs through August 2nd."

Conclusion

The episode of All Of It provides a comprehensive exploration of Jack Whitten's artistic journey, highlighting his resilience, innovation, and profound impact on modern art. Through heartfelt discussions with his daughter and the MoMA curator, listeners gain a deeper understanding of Whitten's commitment to his craft, his community, and his unwavering dedication to expressing the complexities of black life and culture through abstract art. The MoMA retrospective stands as a testament to his enduring legacy, inviting audiences to witness the vibrant and dynamic world he created with each stroke of his brush.

Notable Quotes with Timestamps

• [02:26] Mersini Amadon: "He was in ROTC class, Air Force. He was studying to become a pre-med doctor and something moved him to get up right in the middle of the class and just say out loud, 'What am I doing here?'"

• [05:03] Michelle Kuo: "Jack Whitten had these extraordinary sensory experiences as a child in the south... in the show at MoMA, you're going to see incredible, luminous paintings..."

• [08:08] Mersini Amadon: "Yes, absolutely. I don't think that you can grow up at that time and not have a burning desire to see change and to be part of that change."

• [08:52] Michelle Kuo: "Jack Whitten was an abstract artist... he saw his works as embodying his subjects. For example, Miles Davis is in the paint. He's in there."

• [15:39] Michelle Kuo: "Jack Whitten might be the process artist... he invented so many different kinds of processes and techniques and signature styles."

• [17:22] Michelle Kuo: "He raked across that big wooden tool a final stroke, and he, quote, developed the image..."

• [24:38] Michelle Kuo: "Jazz is completely fundamental... 'I want to make sheets of light.'"

Exhibition Details

• Title: Jack the Messenger
• Location: Museum of Modern Art (MoMA), New York City
• Dates: Opened March 27, 2025, through August 2, 2025
• Hosts: Mersini Amadon and Michelle Kuo

Listeners are encouraged to visit MoMA's Instagram story at @allofitwnyc for a preview of some of Whitten's luminous paintings featured in the exhibition.