We are proud supporters of all arts and cultural events. Art is the ultimate expression of creativity and a reflection of our society throughout different periods and cultural points of view. This is why we regularly feature local art museums and upcoming art exhibitions on The HD Group Blog.

One of our favorite local institutions is the Norton Simon Museum, located right in Tim’s backyard in Pasadena. It offers an incredible collection on display year round, along with special exhibitions only available for limited periods. As we head into 2024, the Norton Simon Museum as several current exhibitions that will not be around for much longer. They also have some incredible upcoming exhibitions scheduled to open this year. Here are some highlights worth planning your visit around:

Word as Image
Through February 5, 2024

Throughout history, many artists have used imagery to convey complex concepts and subvert the written word. This exhibition features highlighted artworks from the Norton Simon collections that show this practice from artists such as Pablo Picasso, Ed Ruscha, and Liubov Popova. These works showcase humorous and thought-providing juxtapositions between pictorial and linguistic modes of expression, with pop art, conceptual art, cubism and other artistic styles on display. Learn more.

Benevolent Beings: Buddhas and Bodhisattvas from South and Southeast Asia
Through February 19, 2024

This exhibition opened in October of last year and will be closing soon in late February. It features 44 rarely seen works of art from the Norton Simon collection. It is meant to explore different ways that Buddhas, Bodhisattvas and other protective deities from Buddhist and Hindu cultures have been depicted throughout history. Learn more.

Paul Gauguin’s ‘The Swineheard,” 1888
Through April 30, 2024

This amazing piece has been on loan to the Norton Simon from the Los Angeles County Museum of Art (LACMA) since 2019. This is your final chance to see it on display here before the exhibition closes at the end of April. It was originally slated to close in late 2023, but they extended the exhibition for a few more months due to popular demand. The Swineherd (1888) is a seminal piece of art from legendary French artist Paul Gauguin. Don’t miss your chance to see this stunning oil painting in person! Learn more.

I Saw It: Francisco de Goya, Printmaker
April 19 – August 5, 2024

In April, the Norton Simon will open this special exhibition featuring four of Spanish printmaker Francisco de Goya’s most notable print series: Caprichos (1799), Desastres de la Guerra (c. 1810-1815, La Tauromaquia (1815-16) and Los Disparates (c. 1815-23). This is the first comprehensive installation of Goya’s iconic series on the West Coast. Learn more.

Plugged In: Art and Electric Light
September 20, 2024 – February 17, 2025

Later this year, this modern collection will go on display. Electric light first emerged as an artistic medium in the mid-20th century. This exhibition features 11 works produced between 1964-1980, from a variety of mid-century artists. Featured artists will include Andy Warhol, Dan Flavin, Allen Ruppersberg and more. Learn more.

Image Credit:

Paul Gauguin (French, 1848–1903)
The Swineherd, 1888
Oil on canvas
Los Angeles County Museum of Art, Gift of Lucille Ellis Simon and family in honor of the museum’s twenty-fifth anniversary (M.91.256)