Vicious Circles is the first exhibition in the United States dedicated to Jacqueline de Jong. The exhibition considers the perpetual theme of war and protest within the artist’s oeuvre; whether in paintings dedicated to the rebellious spirit of rock ‘n’ roll, or haunting portrayals of the ongoing war in Ukraine, de Jong remained focused on the present, reacting to the now. The show questions how the present relates to history, and the ways in which de Jong’s decades of engagement with current events forces viewers to confront the harsh reality of humanity’s endless repetition of violent trauma and the critical nature of art as a form of resistance.

The exhibition also addresses de Jong’s legacy as a key figure within the history of counterculture publishing, highlighting her role as editor, publisher and designer of the quintessential artist-led magazine, The Situationist Times (1962–67). This six-volume, multilingual periodical was created by a group of artists who sought to disrupt cultural hierarchies and academic disciplines, with an emphatic dedication to creating situations of societal subversion. Up until the final moments of her recent passing, de Jong remained an outstanding female leader within a male-dominated network, and her place in history is distinguished by her critical contributions to the avant-garde throughout her life. The exhibition is curated by the Museum’s Bryant-Taylor Curator, Ariella Wolens.