New Museum Opened Arthur Jafa Survey Exhibition
The New York City institution now features a major exhibition titled I Am Tony across two levels of its space.
Updated on Sept. 25, 2026 in Fine Art
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In September 2026, the New Museum in New York City launched a survey exhibition featuring the work of artist Arthur Jafa. The exhibition, titled I Am Tony, occupies two levels of the Lower Manhattan building.
Why it matters
The exhibition highlights key recent works by Jafa, offering visitors a comprehensive look at his creative trajectory. It serves as a significant presentation of his artistic output within a major metropolitan art institution.
The exhibition occupies two levels of the New Museum, showcasing major recent works produced in 2026 alongside photography dating back to 1999. Featured pieces include the works Allegiance and Rwanda, 1999.
The players
Arthur Jafa
Arthur Jafa is a contemporary artist and filmmaker recognized for his work exploring African American identity and culture.
New Museum
The New Museum is a contemporary art museum located in the Lower Manhattan neighborhood of New York City.
The details
The exhibition includes a wall-to-wall image of 19th-century schoolchildren alongside displays of bloodied garments mounted directly on the museum wall. Central to the collection is the work Rwanda, 1999, which features a photograph taken by Jafa at the Murambi Genocide Memorial in Rwanda.
Timeline
The Rwanda photograph was taken by Arthur Jafa in 1999.
The works Allegiance and Rwanda, 1999 were produced in 2026.
The exhibition opened at the New Museum in September 2026.
Industry Dynamics
This exhibition follows a pattern set by the 2017 Whitney Biennial in how it prioritizes high-impact, thematic installations within a major city museum. Such surveys represent a shift toward larger, multi-level presentations that dominate institutional programming in New York City.
Visitors to the New Museum can view the two-level exhibition during standard operating hours in Lower Manhattan. The presentation offers public access to Jafa’s 2026 works as well as his earlier historical photography.
The takeaway
This survey provides an opportunity for audiences to engage with Jafa’s multi-disciplinary approach to history and memory. Interested attendees should plan for a multi-level viewing experience that spans his recent creative output.
Further reading
Discover more about the contemporary art scene in New York City Fine Art.
Source note: This article includes information reported by Hyperallergic.
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