This fall, The Metropolitan Museum of Art is set to unveil a captivating suite of sculptures by acclaimed artist Jeffrey Gibson, known for his innovative approach and interdisciplinary work. The new installation will take center stage in the niches of the museum’s iconic Fifth Avenue facade. Gibson, a member of the Mississippi Band of Choctaw Indians and of Cherokee descent, will create four figurative sculptures that delve into the intricate relationships between all living beings and the environment.
Commissioned specifically for this exhibition, titled “The Genesis Facade Commission: Jeffrey Gibson, The Animal That Therefore I Am”, the works will be on view from September 12, 2025, through June 9, 2026. This project is supported by Genesis, with significant backing from patrons including Oscar L. Tang and H.M. Agnes Hsu-Tang, the Director’s Fund, and Cynthia Hazen Polsky and Leon B. Polsky, among others.
Max Hollein, The Met’s Marina Kellen French Director and Chief Executive Officer, expressed his enthusiasm, stating, “Jeffrey Gibson is one of the most remarkable artists of his generation and a pioneering figure within the field of native and Indigenous art. These new works are based on his signature use of unconventional materials and reimagined forms to explore often overlooked histories and the natural world.”
David Breslin, curator in charge of Modern and Contemporary Art, added, “Gibson’s art vibrates and bristles with the life, the histories that never leave us, and the futures that his vision makes possible.” This project will mark the sixth in a series of contemporary commissions on The Met’s historic exterior, showcasing Gibson’s deeply developed iconography.
Gibson’s distinctive style blends Indigenous worldviews and imagery with abstraction and vibrant patterns. His extensive body of work includes abstract paintings, performance, and filmmaking, and he has garnered acclaim for his critique of how Indigenous culture has often been misrepresented.
As The Met continues its mission of fostering dialogue between contemporary art and its historic collection, Gibson’s sculptures promise to invite audiences into a thought-provoking exploration of identity, nature, and interconnectedness. Visitors can anticipate an inspiring experience as they engage with this monumental installation when it opens in September.
Artist Jeffrey Gibson to create four new sculptures for The Met’s Fifth Avenue facade pic.twitter.com/YF9T2L42sT
— Luxenburg Magazine (@LuxenburgMag) July 9, 2025
