In Everything Now All At Once at the Nasher Museum of Art at Duke University, the title says it all. Dozens of works from the likes of Nick Cave, Ai Weiwei, Nina Chanel Abney, Wangechi Mutu, and many more represent a slice of the contemporary art world in which globalism and diversity are at the fore, and the lessons of the past inform how artists imagine the future.
Interestingly, the pieces are also decidedly analog, especially noteworthy as these works—alongside a few other multimedia and photographic additions—have been made throughout the era of light-speed technological advances. Painting and sculpture, in particular, have long been treated as the nexus of “high art” in the Western canon. The Nasher’s focus on these genres is paired with representations of global cultures and people of color, spotlighting how these depictions have been manifestly omitted from art during the last several centuries. Importantly, the collection prioritizes expressions of joy, resilience, and individuality.
All of the works in Everything Now All At Once are part of the Nasher’s permanent collection, highlighting its accession strategy over the past twenty years with a focus on iconic pieces by artists from historically marginalized backgrounds. From Jeffrey Gibson’s landmark beaded punching bag series to Amy Sherald’s brightly backgrounded portraits, visitors can glimpse incredible creativity by dozens of artists in a show that highlights voices that have been drastically underrepresented in the canon.
Ongoing since August 2025, Everything Now All At Once will rotate new pieces into the exhibition next month and continue through November 1 in Durham, North Carolina.
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