The Menil Collection The Menil Collection

Join Esther Adler, Curator of Drawings and Prints at the Museum of Modern Art in New York, and Anthony Pinn, Agnes Cullen Arnold Distinguished Professor of Humanities at Rice University, for a conversation focusing on spirituality in the work of Joseph E. Yoakum. Pinn and Adler explore the connections to Christian Science in Yoakum’s work, as well as consider the roles that church and faith have historically played in African American communities.

Esther Adler is Curator in the Department of Drawings and Prints at The Museum of Modern Art, where she organized the New York presentation of the exhibition Joseph E. Yoakum: What I Saw (November 21, 2021–March 19, 2022). Most recently, she organized Betye Saar: The Legends of Black Girl’s Window (with Christophe Cherix, 2019), Charles White: A Retrospective (with Sarah Kelly Oehler, 2018), and Charles White—Leonardo da Vinci. Curated by David Hammons (2017). Past projects include Dorothea Rockburne: Drawing Which Makes Itself (2013), American Modern: Hopper to O’Keeffe (2013), and Gifted: Collectors and Drawings at MoMA, 1929–1983 (2011).

Anthony B. Pinn is currently the Agnes Cullen Arnold Distinguished Professor of Humanities and professor of religion at Rice University. He received his PhD in the study of religion from Harvard University. Pinn is a fellow of the American Academy of Arts and Sciences, and he is a Professor Extraordinarius at the University of South Africa. He is the founding director of the Center for Engaged Research and Collaborative Learning, and the inaugural director of the Center for African and African American Studies, both at Rice University. Pinn is the author/editor of over 35 books, including Interplay of Things: Religion, Art, and Presence Together (2021) and the novel The New Disciples (2015).

This program takes place in the Menil Drawing Institute, located at 1412 W. Main St. Further information regarding accessibility and parking can be found here. Seating is available on a first-come, first-served basis.