VMFA exhibition explores symbolism, cultural significance of guitars

Emily Richardson, Contributing Writer

The Virginia Museum of Fine Arts’ current exhibition invites museum visitors to explore the guitar’s symbolism in multiple mediums from the 19th century to present day, including interactive features.

The “Storied Strings: The Guitar in American Art” exhibition is curated by Leo Mazow, VMFA’s Louise B. and J. Harwood Cochrane Curator of American Art, according to the museum’s website. 

The exhibition features 125 works of art and 35 musical instruments, highlighting the guitar’s cultural significance. The instrument appears in American art more than any other instrument, according to the exhibition’s website.

The artworks are divided into 17 sections, all linked by the premise that the guitar as a visual motif has enabled artists to address public and private histories, according to a placard outside the exhibition. 

The sections highlight the guitar’s significance across various cultures and demographics. “Guitar-Wielding Women,” for example, explores the guitar as a symbol of both sensibility and empowerment for women posed with them in various artworks, according to a placard in the exhibit. 

“The Guitar in Black Art and Culture” highlights the guitar motif as an expression of the identity and pride of Black musicians, according to a placard in the gallery. The artworks on display in this section affirm that African American music is American music, and any attempt to separate them is forced and fictitious.

The exhibition offers a thorough analysis of the guitar’s place in American culture and history, according to the gallery associate Kamryn Gillham.

“It touches on a lot of topics, from gender, to race, to sexuality,” Gillham said. “If you’re not really familiar with guitars or the history of guitars, it’s very informative.”

Artworks in the exhibition include Charles White’s “Goodnight Irene,” an oil painting of singer Lead Belly playing the guitar; and Thomas Hart Benton’s “Jessie with Guitar,” a large oil painting of Benton’s daughter, an aspiring folk musician. Among artwork of guitars and people holding and playing them, the exhibition also features physical instruments of various makes and designs. 

The exhibition also involves a number of features inviting visitors to interact with the art. One installment provides two guitars visitors are allowed to touch, pick up and play.

“Personally, I love the interactive portion,” said gallery associate Amber Thornton. “We’ve had some amazing guitarists come in, so it’s been really fun to hear them play.”

Another interactive feature is the Richmond Sessions studio, specially constructed for the gallery. Over the exhibition’s run, various visiting musicians will record live songs and discuss their use of the guitar as an expressive tool, according to a placard outside the studio. 

The Richmond Sessions intend to expand on the exhibition’s exploration of the guitar as a subject, symbol and storyteller’s companion, according to the VMFA’s website.

“They have the list of artists on the website, but they don’t say when they’ll show up,” Thornton said. “If you’re here on the right day, you might get to see some live music.”

Visitor Arthur Scott, a lifetime guitarist and guitar collector, said he had hoped for more focus on guitarists from Virginia in the exhibition.

“I probably went in with way too big of an expectation, but there are a lot of very famous musicians from the Commonwealth,” Scott said. “I get it, though, they were trying to cover a lot. I still thought it was very informative.”

Scott found the interactive aspects of the exhibition particularly fascinating.

“It was refreshing to see a hands-on component,” Scott said. “You’re not just appreciating the guitar from afar, you’re able to touch it, play it and feel it. It was really cool.”

“Storied Strings: The Guitar in American Art” will be on display in the VMFA’s Altria Group Gallery until March 19, 2023. Admission for college students with valid identification is $10.