The Parrish Art Museum in Water Mill, New York, will present 'Sanford Biggers: Drift,' the artist's first major solo exhibition on the East End of Long Island, opening in summer 2026. The show features new works, site-responsive installations, and signature sculptures and textiles, including the monumental cloud installation 'Unsui (Cloud Forest)' (2025). The exhibition is part of the museum's 'PARRISH USA250: Life, Liberty, and the Pursuit of Happiness' series, which marks America's semi-quincentennial by exploring the ideals of the Declaration of Independence through the lens of Long Island's artistic heritage.
This exhibition matters because it positions Sanford Biggers—a multidisciplinary artist known for blending African American history, Buddhist philosophy, and contemporary art—within a national conversation about American identity and the 'pursuit of happiness' during the 250th anniversary of the United States. By transforming the museum into a contemplative space with ephemeral, cloud-like installations, Biggers challenges traditional historiography and invites viewers to reflect on shared cultural symbols. The show also underscores the Parrish Art Museum's commitment to highlighting Long Island artists and their contributions to American art.