Robert Therrien: A Retrospective at The Broad

The retrospective exhibition "Robert Therrien: This Is A Story" is currently on display at The Broad in Los Angeles, featuring approximately 120 artworks by the late artist Robert Therrien, who passed away in 2019. The exhibition runs through April 5, 2025, and showcases a range of Therrien's works, from simple drawings to large-scale sculptures, reflecting his unique approach to domesticity and memory.

New York Observer

Robert Therrien's artistic journey began in his childhood, influenced by his experiences with asthma, which kept him indoors and led him to draw extensively. His early fascination with comic book imagery and everyday objects shaped his later works. Therrien studied at the California College of Arts and Crafts and later pursued printmaking and painting at various institutions, including the Brooks Institute and the Santa Barbara Art Institute. His move to Los Angeles in 1971 marked a significant turning point in his career, culminating in a notable participation in the 1985 Whitney Biennial.

New York Observer

Therrien's work is characterized by recurring motifs and a playful exploration of scale. Notable pieces in the exhibition include "Under the Table" (1994), a 3.6-scale dining room set, and "No title (black beds)" (1998), which exemplifies his shift towards larger, more immersive installations. The artist often left his works untitled, encouraging viewers to derive their own meanings. Paul Cherwick, co-director of the Robert Therrien Estate, noted that Therrien preferred to let audiences interpret his art rather than providing explicit explanations.

New York Observer

The expansion of Therrien's studio in the late 1990s allowed him to create larger works, reflecting a broader trend in the art world towards monumental pieces. The exhibition features oversized sculptures such as "No title (stacked plates)" (1992) and "No title (folding table and chairs, dark brown)," which challenge traditional notions of scale in art. Broad curator Ed Schad emphasized that Therrien's work invites personal reflection, focusing on individual experiences rather than grand historical narratives.

New York Observer

Therrien's introspective nature influenced both his art and his interactions with others. Dean Anes, co-director of the artist’s estate, described him as an introvert who thrived in the solitude of his studio, where he engaged in deep conversations about various subjects. The exhibition not only celebrates Therrien's artistic contributions but also offers insight into his personal life and the memories that shaped his creative vision.

New York Observer

• “He was inside more and kind of a sickly kid,” — Dean Anes, Co-director of the Robert Therrien Estate

New York Observer

• “It’s profound to think that something of size can be about individual human responses to sizes.” — Ed Schad, Broad Curator

New York Observer

• “He was very cloaked about the true meaning behind those things,” — Dean Anes, Co-director of the Robert Therrien Estate

New York Observer

The exhibition at The Broad serves as a comprehensive exploration of Robert Therrien's artistic legacy, inviting viewers to engage with his work on a personal level while reflecting on the broader implications of scale, memory, and domesticity in contemporary art.

New York Observer