The Museum of Contemporary Art (MOCA) in Los Angeles has announced the addition of 158 remarkable artworks to its collection, showcasing a diverse range of pieces from both established and emerging artists. Among these acquisitions is the celebrated sculpture by Kara Walker, alongside vibrant abstractions from various notable painters and a compelling video featuring two lizards navigating the quiet streets of New York during the pandemic.
Notably, 50 of the featured artists are making their debut in MOCA's collection, marking a significant milestone for the museum, which is recognized as one of Los Angeles' premier cultural institutions.
The standout piece, Unmanned Drone (2023) by Kara Walker, has garnered considerable attention. Currently displayed in the exhibition "Monuments," this sculpture, commissioned specifically for the show, reinterprets elements of Confederate monuments, earning accolades as one of the most significant artworks of 2025 by ARTnews.
While Walker's sculpture towers at 13 feet, it is not the largest piece acquired this year. Olafur Eliasson's 40-foot installation, Observatory for seeing the atmosphere's futures, also created for a MOCA exhibition, serves as a kaleidoscope, inviting viewers to engage with the sky above.
MOCA's acquisitions also reflect a commitment to smaller works, including photographs by Lyle Ashton Harris, a ceramic sculpture by Magdalena Suarez Frimkess, and a drawing by Thomas Hirshhorn, enriching the museum's diverse collection.
Among the renowned artists represented in this acquisition are Paul Pfeiffer, Julie Mehretu, and Dennis Oppenheim, showcasing a blend of historical and contemporary perspectives. Here's a glimpse of eight notable works recently added to MOCA's collection:
- Leda Catunda, Sol com cérebro, 2023: This vibrant piece reflects Catunda's unique style, characterized by soft, colorful forms.
- Meriem Bennani and Orian Barki, 2 Lizards, 2020: A viral video capturing the essence of New York during lockdown, featuring two animated lizards.
- An-My Lê, Security and Stabilization Operations, Marines II, 2003-4: A poignant photograph from Lê's series that explores military training in the Mojave Desert.
- Shizu Saldamando, Lupe and Ashley, 2024: An intimate portrayal of friendship, showcased on a floral print fabric.
- Jacqueline Humphries, JH123, 2024: An abstract painting that blurs the lines between digital and traditional art.
- Yolanda López, Las Santas Locas, 1979: A photograph celebrating the camaraderie of an all-female car club.
- Sawako Goda, Automatism series: Toe Sensation, 1993: A unique piece created through the artist's innovative technique of drawing with pastel crayons between her toes.
- Ali Eyal, Look What I Remember, 2024: A reflection on Eyal's experiences in Iraq, capturing the essence of conflict through art.
