"Punk Is Coming" Opening Reception At MoCA Westport Draws Huge Crowd
"Punk Is Coming" drew one of MoCA Westport's largest audiences with cars filling the lots and lining the long driveway from Newtown Rd. The latest exhibit from MoCA Westport provides an in depth, comprehensive look at the bands and performers who created a unique musical, artistic and social style that made its mark on the world for years.
"Punk Is Coming" is a diverse group exhibition featuring over 50 photographers, filmmakers and artists whose work defined the punk era in the 1970’s in New York City, London, Los Angeles and other cities around the world.
The exhibition includes rare, never-before-seen videos and photographs, as well as artworks created by the punk era’s musicians and contemporary works heavily influenced by the movement.
Bands such as The Ramones, The Heartbreakers, the Cramps, the Sex Pistols and of course Debbie Harry and Blondie are represented in powerful images. Visitors can see performers like Johnny Rotten, Sid Vicious and Richard Hell in media from around the world including rare concert performances.
The exhibition is co-curated by Marian Schwindeman, Roberta Bayley, Liz Leggett (MoCA Westport Director of Exhibitions) and Ruth Mannes (Executive Director of MoCA Westport).
Featured Artists in Punk is Coming include: Merrill Aldighieri, Amy Arbus, Emily Armstrong, William Badgley, Alex Bag, Jean-Michel Basquiat, Roberta Bayley, Lynette Bean, Janette Beckman, Celeste Bell, Richard Butler, Beth Collar, Jayne County, Jim Fields, Jill Furmanovsky, Danny Garcia, Richard Hambleton, Duncan Hannah, Tony Hope, Pat Ivers, David Johansen, Kevin Kerslake, Cindy Hudson Kral, Ivan Kral, Helmut Lang, Jenny Lens, Linder, Judy Linn, John Lydon, Robert Mapplethorpe, Hans Neleman, Fabrika Ouch, Lisa Jane Persky, Amos Poe, Jamie Reid, Thebe Phetogo, Eileen Polk, Richard Prince, Dee Dee Ramone, Ruby Ray, Jamie Reid, Marcia Resnick, Ebet Roberts, Sheila Rock, Sue Rynski, Donna Santisi, Marian Schwindeman, Steven Sebring, Kate Simon, Penny Slinger, Patti Smith, Paul Sng, Julien Temple, Gail Thacker, Arturo Vega, and Sally Webster.
Punk is Coming is on view at MoCA Westport from March 26 – June 5, 2022. Admission is free every day through the generosity of a MoCA Westport benefactor. The museum is located at 19 Newtown Turnpike, in Westport and hours are: Wednesday 12PM – 4PM, Thursday 12PM – 7PM, Friday 12PM – 4PM and Saturday & Sunday 12PM – 4PM.
Photos By J.C. Martin For WestportLocalPress.com Click on an image to enlarge and open gallery.
