New Orleans is highlighting its vibrant visual arts scene this April with two major museum exhibitions that offer deep dives into Southern identity and local art history. The Ogden Museum of Southern Art has launched "I Am the Face," a comprehensive survey of Southern photography and portraiture from the early 20th century to today. Meanwhile, the New Orleans Museum of Art (NOMA) is preparing to open a significant retrospective of Louisiana native Robert Gordy, marking the first major presentation of his multidisciplinary work at the institution in over forty years.
These exhibitions underscore the city's role as a cultural hub beyond its famous music and culinary traditions. By focusing on the evolution of the photographic portrait and the legacy of Robert Gordy—whose career was cut short by the AIDS epidemic—these institutions are preserving regional narratives and providing critical historical context for Southern contemporary art. The timing aligns with the city's busy spring festival season, offering visitors and locals a sophisticated look at the Gulf South's artistic evolution.