Jim Hodges Gives it His All at the Walker

Gleaming atop the Walker Art Center’s snow-covered hillside is a group of 400-year-old granite boulders covered in bright pops of colored steel from Jim Hodges.

It’s just one of several pieces the Walker has in its collection from the New York artist. Like the ancient boulders, the Walker’s relationship with Hodges dates back pretty far. Olga Viso, the Walker's executive director, has worked closely with the artist for years -- a history that’s culminated in the first comprehensive U.S. survey of the artists’ work.

The exhibition, “Jim Hodges: Give More Than You Take,” opens in Minneapolis on Feb. 15, and was co-organized by the Walker and the Dallas Museum of Art.

The Skinny:

•   Hodges' work inspired the trio Sisyphus to produce a musical collaboration to be released in conjunction with the show.
•    Jim Hodges: Give More Than You Take
•    Walker Art Center
1750 Hennepin Ave.
Minneapolis, MN 55403
•    Feb. 15 – May 11
•    612-375-7600

Jim Hodges, ghost (detail), 2008, glass sculpture in multiple parts, 35 × 22 × 22 in. (88.9 × 55.9 × 55.9 cm) overall, Private collection, London, Photo by Stephen White; courtesy Stephen Friedman Gallery, London ©Jim Hodges

The 75 works in the show span across Hodges’ 25-year career, with the first piece dating back to 1987. Whether it’s through silk flowers, doodles on paper napkins or mirrored pieces, Hodges has the ability to infuse emotion and narrative into everyday objects.

Walker curator, Eric Crosby, tells us what to watch for:
•    Debut of Untitled (one day it all comes true)
•   Rarely seen works, Untitled (gate) and ghost (2008)
•   Co-commission of an album inspired by Hodges’ work from Sisyphus (formerly S/S/S). The group includes Chicago-based rapper Serengeti, L.A.-based composer/producer Son Lux and Brooklyn-based singer/songwriter/composer Sufjan Stevens. The trio’s sophomore EP will go on sale Feb. 14, the opening night of Hodges' show.

Jim Hodges, With the Wind, 1997, scarves, thread, 90 × 99 in. (228.6 × 251.5 cm) overall, Collection Glenn and Amanda Fuhrman, New York; courtesy The FLAG Art Foundation

Jim Hodges, Slower than this, 2001, cut photograph on paper in six parts, 22 × 30 in. (55.9 × 76.2 cm) each;

66 × 60 in. (167.6 × 152.4 cm) overall, Collection Adrienne and Peter Biberstein, ©Jim Hodges

Jim Hodges, Movements (Stage IV), 2009, mirror on canvas, 57 × 96 in. (144.8 × 243.8 cm), Collection Barbara Zomlefer Herzberg; courtesy McCabe Fine Art, Photo by Ronald Amstutz ©Jim Hodges