Two artists of different generations come together for a parallel exhibition at The Met that will run through May 11. “Floridas” is Anastasia Samoylova and Walker Evans’ take on a place where fantasy and reality collide through images and paintings. The exhibition includes more than 100 works.
For Samoylova, this marks a milestone for the Russian-born, Miami-based artist; as she becomes the first living female artist to helm a show at the Met in over three decades. Pairing with the iconic documentary photographer Evans makes sense; as both artists set out to understand Florida’s complexity and contradictions. Many times overseen as purely a tourist destination filled with fantasy and glossy visuals, the Sunshine State is threatened by natural disasters, climate change, gentrification and political extremism.
During one of his frequent road trips there, in 1943, Evans said of the area during, “Florida is ghastly and very pleasant where I am.” The images featured in the exhibition include pieces from a body of work the artist captured over a span of 40 years, returning repeatedly to capture the area. The artwork is part of The Met’s Walker Evans Archive.
“Floridas” is based on a book of the same name by Samoylova who has been photographing Florida since 2016. The book pairs images of her own with those that Evans created prior to her coming to Florida. In parallel views of juxtaposition, Evans captured a place on the rise while Samoylova has documented a state that has seen its fair share of struggles. Speaking of the project, Samoylova said, “the idea is to show a place throughout time and also certain timelessness of a place.” Samoylova’s art includes photos and mixed-media paintings.
The show was curated by Met photography curator Mia Fineman. It is made possible by The Robert Mapplethorpe Foundation, Inc.
Elizabeth Hazard
Anastasia Samoylova and Walker Evans : Floridas
Through May 11, 2025
Metropolitan Museum of Art
1000 5th Ave.
New York, NY 10028
www.metmuseum.org
