William Turnbull Origins, an exhibition dedicated to the Scottish-born artist William Turnbull, is now on view in New York, highlighting his early and mid-career works that emphasize elemental, abstract forms. The show focuses on his sculptures and paintings from the 1940s through the 1960s, drawing attention to his exploration of primitive and organic shapes.
The exhibition matters because it reexamines Turnbull's legacy within the context of 20th-century abstract art, offering a fresh perspective on an artist often overshadowed by his contemporaries. By spotlighting his foundational works, the show reinforces his influence on postwar sculpture and painting, contributing to ongoing conversations about abstraction and materiality in modern art.