Taking advantage of our rotating exhibits, FWMoA staff from all departments are engaging with artwork they can’t stop thinking about. With galleries full of glass, paintings, bronzes, and more, we’ve posed the challenging question, “What’s your favorite artwork currently on display?”
The museum’s Registrar, Lauren Wolfer, has been an employee of FWMoA for the last 11 years. Today she’s bringing us her favorite work on display from the exhibit, Truthful Illusions: Realism in the Age of Abstraction. Take a closer look at this work, A Glass Menagerie, by Aaron Bohrod.
Q: What is the first thing you noticed about this artwork? What drew you to this particular piece?
A: I love that it seems like a normal collection of things, but looking closer, there are some oddities. For example, the floating cup with a dog inside it emerging out of the torn paper wall, or the eyeball pin holding a small crumpled up piece of paper with the artist’s signature.
Q: Would you hang this artwork in your home? Why or why not?
A: Absolutely! There are little knick-knacks all over my house so Bohrod’s painting would fit right in.
Q: What does this artwork mean to you?
A: I find his style captivating. Bohrod was known for mixing realism with surrealism in a trompe-l’oeil manner, meaning it creates the optical illusion of a three-dimensional surface. His works gives the illusion you could reach in and grab an item off the table.
Q: Are there any particular details about the artist or artwork you want to share?
A: My favorite part of this work is that you can see little self-portraits in the reflective areas in the bottom left corner!
Q: What kind of art do you have in your home?
A: All sorts but mostly colorful prints!
Q: Why did you choose to work in an art museum?
A: Growing up, my family always sought out museums while visiting new cities or would travel to see new exhibits. It has always been a dream job to work in a place surrounded by art!
Q: What has been your favorite exhibition at FWMoA during your employment? What exhibition are you most looking forward to in the next year or two?
A: As of recently, I loved curating Lucky Monster: Works by Jiha Moon. Moon’s work was so intricate and layered with symbolism there was always something new to discover. Recently, FWMOA received a donation of Byron Browne’s paintings and works on paper, which will be exhibited in 2026. That’ll be a colorful and exciting exhibit!
Find your favorite artwork in the exhibit Truthful Illusions: Realism in the Age of Abstraction, on display at FWMoA until July 6th!