VIRGINIA BEACH, Va. (WAVY) — Hey, art lovers! The Virginia Museum of Contemporary Art has unveiled its latest exhibition, “Duke Riley: O’er the Wide and Plastic Sea,” a captivating journey that intertwines art, history and environmental consciousness.
Duke Riley, a New England native now based in Brooklyn, brings two decades of innovative artistic exploration to Virginia Beach.
Known for his striking installations, videos, sculptures and drawings rooted in maritime and nautical history, Riley captivates audiences with works that evoke the spirit of early Americana while addressing contemporary challenges.
This solo exhibition, curated by Melissa Messina, Riley’s former graduate schoolmate, features numerous pieces on view together for the first time, along with several new creations inspired by Virginia Beach’s unique landscape.
“As Duke Riley’s former graduate classmate in the early 2000s, it has been exciting to watch his work spark the imaginations of so many around the world,” said Messina. “He has always been an exceptional talent and a unique voice in American art. It is an honor to have the opportunity to curate a survey that looks at so much of his creative output over the past two decades. Doing so in Virginia Beach, for such an engaged audience, adds another level of enthusiasm around the project for Duke and me.”
“Duke Riley: O’er the Wide and Plastic Sea” will be on view until Aug. 31. The exhibition, which merges art with advocacy, is generously supported by the Rutter Family Art Foundation and other local sponsors.
“This is a truly special moment for Virginia MOCA,” said Alison Byrne, executive director of Virginia MOCA. “We’ve been following Duke Riley’s incredible work for years, making numerous trips to his Brooklyn studio and even bringing him down to Virginia Beach to experience our unique coastal environment firsthand. To finally host his art here, especially with this exhibition’s deep connections to our local landscape and maritime heritage, is incredibly exciting. We are equally thrilled about the possibilities for engaging our partners with educational programming inspired by Duke’s unique approach to art and environmental advocacy. His thought-provoking creations are sure to spark meaningful conversations and offer our visitors a truly memorable experience.”
Virginia MOCA is open from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Wednesday through Sunday. Admission is free for museum members, and Virginia residents can enjoy complimentary access thanks to the generosity of Sentara and the Sokol Family Foundation.
For additional information on the exhibition, please visit virginiamoca.org.