Virtual Tour

This exhibition, and others throughout the museum, celebrate a historic gift of more than 170 works given to the Allen by Oberlin alumni Driek (OC 1965) and Michael (OC 1964) Zirinsky. The Zirinskys developed a globe-spanning collection of contemporary art decades ahead of diversity-driven practices in U.S. museums. They built their collection slowly and intentionally, working with artists, residency programs, and small galleries to ensure their purchases directly supported artists.

Both retired professors, Driek is Dutch American and Michael spent part of his youth in Iran. Their longstanding interest in border crossings drew them to artworks that approach geopolitics and identity-based issues with a disarming sense of humor. The artists whose work they chose to live with—and ultimately to give to Oberlin College—shed light on marginalized experiences and reclaim agency over the ways in which such narratives are framed.

Artists in the exhibition include Ghada Amer, Natalie Ball, Ambreen Butt, Raven Chacon, Enrique Chagoya, Mel Chin, Olafur Eliasson, Jeffrey Gibson, Jennie C. Jones, Roman Ondak, Jean Shin, Dayanita Singh, Stephanie Syjuco, Marie Watt, Wendy Red Star, and Dyani White Hawk.

Image: Stephanie Syjuco (Filipino-American, b. 1974), Green Ride, from the series Black Market, 2005. Fuji lightjet print. Gift of Driek (OC 1965) and Michael (OC 1964) Zirinsky, 2023.1.41

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