Guggenheim New York Announces 2025 Acquisitions of 39 works

 (NEW YORK, NY—January 26, 2026) In 2025, the Guggenheim New York acquired 39 works, spanning from 1963 to the present day, by 31 artists. These acquisitions further the Guggenheim’s commitment to expanding its interpretation and presentation of modern and contemporary art, with a particular focus on works that reflect diversity and innovative practices.  

This year’s acquisitions continue the Guggenheim’s longstanding effort to fill gaps in the collection by strengthening representation across movements, regions, and mediums with an emphasis on artists historically underrepresented within the museum’s holdings. This initiative centered on acquiring works by women-identifying and Latinx-identifying artists, many of whom represent both groups.  

Among the year’s highlights are two works by Colombian abstractionist Fanny Sanín, whose more than five-decade practice explores the relationships among symmetry, color, and geometry, beginning with early experiments in Abstract Expressionism. The museum also acquired its first work by New York–based, Dominican painter Freddy Rodríguez, another key figure in geometric abstraction whose contributions have long been underrecognized. His painting Guaroa (1973), acquired with support from the Latin American Circle, represents a significant addition to the museum’s collection of postwar abstraction. The museum further enriched its holdings of Latin American and Latinx art with works by Claudia Alarcón, Varda Caivano, Sandra Eleta, Sara Flores, Guillermo Galindo (in collaboration with Richard Misrach), Ximena Garrido-Lecca, Carlos Leppe, Santiago García Sáenz, and Santiago Yahuarcani. 

In 2025, the newly formed Guggenheim Constellation Council (formerly known as the International Director’s Council) facilitated the key acquisition of Egyptian Painting, Scribe (1979) by influential Canadian artist Dorothea Rockburne. This work deepens the museum’s holdings of Minimalism and Conceptual art, finding dialogue with Rockburne’s peers in the collection such as Robert Rauschenberg and Cy Twombly. The acquisition also complements the Guggenheim’s recent addition of Dawn City (1963) by Anne Truitt, helping to build a more comprehensive understanding of women artists working in abstraction during the mid-twentieth century. Through its international membership and collaborative model, the Guggenheim Constellation Council strengthens connections across the Guggenheim’s global network—linking New York, Bilbao, and Venice, and laying the groundwork for the forthcoming Abu Dhabi location, while advancing a shared mission and cultural dialogue.  

The Guggenheim also strengthened its representation of artists long engaged by the institution, reinforcing its commitment to non-objective art. Notable gifts this year include works by Jenny Holzer and N. Dash, further advancing the museum’s dedication to collecting these artists in depth and building on recent exhibitions and new scholarship.  Additionally, the Guggenheim deepened its engagement with the artist Carrie Mae Weems through the acquisition of Lincoln, Lonnie, and Me – A Story in 5 Parts (2012), her acclaimed multimedia installation which draws on diverse narrative formats—including self-portraiture, social documentary, and oral history—to critically examine notions of subjectivity as they intersect with gender, race, and class. The museum acquired the major work Scrapbook #62 (2002–03) by Shinro Ohtake. In addition, Asian Art Council Cochair Alan Lau gifted the museum Paul Chan’s Sock N Tease (2013). 

The museum’s photography collection grew with the addition of works by Erica Baum, Sandra Eleta, and Nancy Holt. In conjunction with the Young Collectors Council (YCC), the Photography Council also acquired three works by Elle Pérez, marking the artist’s introduction to the collection. Devotions II (2018–23), acquired through the Photography Council, reflects the council’s ongoing commitment to supporting artists whose practices center community and embodied experience. Ascension (from Fire Island) (2019/21) and Force (from Fire Island) (2019/21), acquired through the YCC, underscore the group’s dedication to championing emerging voices whose work expands contemporary photographic discourse. Additional notable first-time acquisitions include works by contemporary artists Rachel Rossin, Ruby Sky Stiler, and Ambera Wellmann. 

Naomi Beckwith, Deputy Director and Jennifer and David Stockman Chief Curator, states, “The Guggenheim’s slate of artworks acquired in 2025 is a testament to the ways in which the institution thoughtfully looks back at its roots and its commitment to experimental forms and transnational approaches, while remaining forward-thinking about broadening the narrative possibilities of our art holdings.”  

These acquisitions were largely funded by the museum’s acquisition committees, including the Guggenheim Constellation Council, Asian Art Circle, Latin American Circle, WANASA (West Asia, North Africa, South Asia) Circle, Photography Council, and Young Collectors Council. Together, these groups ensure selections embrace a range of geographies, disciplines, timelines, and cultures.