‘IA (Information Automator)’ draws on the myth of Lamia, exploring how women are portrayed as monsters to represent societal fears. This hand-woven, percussive piece creates tension between an invasive vine and a “steely sifter.” Operating via hand-crank, it utilizes a Passapomodoro to strain fruit into a palatable consistency, stripping the “meat” of its growth energy. This serves as a metaphor for filtered information; just as AI and tech firms provide solutions without original equations, thought is sacrificed for convenience. The work questions who turns the crank of our intake, reflecting on the “spinning” of stories and the loss of humanity in our contemporary world.
Kristin Meyers
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From the Juror:
As someone from Mississippi, who spent much of their time in Louisiana, it has been the greatest privilege to work with Ogden Museum on Louisiana Contemporary 2026, presented by The Helis Foundation.
There were a staggering number of submissions with 1,786 works from 524 artists. The artists come from all over the world, at various points in their careers and are reflective of the rich cultural quilt that is Louisiana. The proximity to water informs so much in this area; it’s a life source, a necessity, yet simultaneously remains a quiet threat at all times. This tension came through in many works both figuratively and metaphorically.
It was impossible to make a selection of works that felt representative of Louisiana artists. The submissions in total evoked for me what I love most about the South: bold creative expression. They grappled with various topics; among those that left the biggest imprint for me were a reckoning with ecological and societal precarity, an interrogation of and insistence on identity, and the power of place that is Louisiana. They also prompted radical provocations of joy through their beauty and skill.
I was thrilled to see an incredible breadth of mediums–performance, photography, painting, sculpture, installation, new media, fiber work and more. These artists are taking risks, challenging norms and continuing to push the edges of how mediums can be interpreted and used. There was great experimentation in much of the work, all while maintaining excellence, depth and rigor.
I’m leaving this experience with great inspiration and hope. I firmly believe that art has the ability to move, ground and connect us–to create transformative, inclusive experiences that resonate across communities. The artists this year have taken this up with profound care and potency, and for that I am deeply grateful to be a part of the Louisiana Contemporary 2026.
Sarah Jones
Lulu C. and Anthony W. Wang Head of Live Arts at The Metropolitan Museum of Art in New York
ExhibitionLA Contemporary 2026VenueOgden MuseumCuratorSarah Jones - Lulu C. and Anthony W. Wang Head of Live Arts at The Metropolitan Museum of Art in New YorkYear2026Linkogdenmuseum.org
