Tense

Present Tense

When referring to exhibitions and artworks, we recommend using the present tense:

• Exhibition: Jimmy DeSana: Submission is the first museum survey of work by a significant yet overlooked figure. 
• Artwork: This famous self-portrait by Vincent van Gogh expresses his artistic power and personal struggles.

The present tense should also be used when referring to living artists’ practices:

• Practice of a living artist: Chakaia Booker works almost exclusively with recycled tires.

Past Tense

When referring to the practices of artists who are no longer living, we recommend using the past tense. When referring to the process of making a particular artwork or series, the past tense often makes the most sense.

• Deceased artist: Donald Judd rejected traditional notions of craftsmanship in favor of an industrial production more true to the nature of his materials.
• Artwork process: Cunningham photographed and captured the oral histories of current Pearl City residents and children of the original settlers.

Some institutions wish to change text describing past exhibitions into past tense. This can be clarifying but onerous. If making this choice, the rule must be applied consistently to avoid confusion.