Bow-Tie Screwhead

1999–2001

Retrospectives at the Walker Art Center, the Hirshhorn and the Reina Sofía

In 1999 the Walker Art Center mounts “Edward Ruscha: Editions 1959–1999”, a survey of his prints, books and graphic works (well over 300), the show travels to LACMA in 2000, and Ruscha co-authors the catalogue raisonné with curator Siri Engberg. A retrospective follows at the Hirshhorn Museum in 2000 and at the Museo Nacional Centro de Arte Reina Sofía in 2001.

2003

Curates a show of his teacher Emerson Woelffer

He curates “Emerson Woelffer: A Solo Flight”, a survey of the work of the late Los Angeles-based Abstract Expressionist, under whom he studied, for the inaugural exhibition of the Gallery at REDCAT.

2004

The Whitney acquires more than 300 of his photographs

The Whitney Museum of American Art acquires more than 300 photographs through a purchase and gift from the artist, making it the principal repository of his photographic oeuvre; they include vintage prints from his seven-month European tour of 1961.

2005

Represents the United States at the 51st Venice Biennale

Ruscha shows at the Biennale the painting cycle “The Course of Empire”, made for the place and the occasion; two of its works, “The Old Tool & Die Building” and “The Old Trade School Building”, are bought by Leonard A. Lauder for the Whitney.