Teresa Margolles Exhibitions Opened in New York City
MoMA PS1 and the Museum of Modern Art have debuted major works by the artist exploring transnational violence.
Updated on Sept. 27, 2026 in Fine Art
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Teresa Margolles has launched her first US large-scale exhibition at MoMA PS1 and a related installation at The Museum of Modern Art. The works examine the consequences of violence through materials gathered from sites of conflict.
Why it matters
The exhibitions confront the realities of disappearances, murders, and political displacements affecting the US-Mexico border region. By using physical remnants from these sites, the artist forces a direct engagement with societal neglect and transnational trauma.
The installation La Promesa incorporates 20 tons of rubble, while other works include 25 Winchester 12-gauge shells purchased for $5.93. The artist, who received the 2026 Käthe Kollwitz Prize, also utilizes seven heated steel plates in her sculptures.
The players
Teresa Margolles
A Mexican visual artist whose work focuses on the forensic and social consequences of death and violence.
MoMA PS1
A contemporary art institution in New York City known for its focus on experimental and site-specific installations.
The Museum of Modern Art
A major cultural institution in Manhattan dedicated to the collection and display of modern and contemporary art.
The details
Margolles utilizes materials ranging from architectural debris to objects associated with sites of violence to trace the impacts of systemic neglect. Her process includes working with volunteers to clean sites where murders occurred to create art that documents disappearances and political displacement.
Timeline
The exhibition at MoMA PS1 opened September 24, 2026.
The installation at The Museum of Modern Art opened September 25, 2026.
The MoMA PS1 exhibition continues through February 2027.
The MoMA installation remains on display through spring 2027.
Industry Dynamics
These exhibitions reflect a broader trend in major art institutions to host projects that bridge the gap between forensic research and contemporary social commentary. By featuring artists like Margolles, museums are increasingly prioritizing works that address historical political violence over traditional aesthetic exhibits.
Visitors can view the large-scale exhibition at MoMA PS1 through February 2027, while the complementary installation at The Museum of Modern Art runs through the spring. Ticket holders for either venue should check individual museum hours to ensure access to these site-specific works.
The takeaway
These exhibitions encourage viewers to look past the surface of contemporary violence to understand the material history of the border region. Engaging with these works requires a willingness to confront the physical remnants of trauma and the political structures that perpetuate it.
Further reading
Explore more about current gallery and museum trends in the Fine Art section.
Source note: This article includes information reported by Artdaily.
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