To celebrate opening its new home, Virginia MOCA is presenting a landmark solo exhibition by Nina Chanel Abney, one of the most incisive voices in contemporary art, which will be on view from April 18th to August 16th, 2026. Entitled The Pursuit of Happiness, the exhibition features monumental paintings, collages, sculptures and an immersive installation that explore themes of joy, struggle and survival in an era of global uncertainty.
A Vision of Contemporary Life
Abney’s bold visual language of bold colours, graphic silhouettes and layered symbols turns cultural flashpoints into seductive and provocative works of art. Drawing from pop culture, the news, and digital life, she examines how race, power, and identity shape daily experience. This thought-provoking exhibition invites audiences to confront contradictions and reflect on the coexistence of joy and justice in today’s world.
New museum openings: Virginia MOCA debuts with impact
Opening on April 18th, The Pursuit of Happiness will take over Virginia MOCA, transforming it into a space where looking becomes a form of reckoning. This major exhibition marks the museum’s grand reopening and showcases Abney’s ability to navigate tension by combining immediacy with deeper contemplation.
Dive into Nina Chanel Abney’s world in our interview, exploring how she balances emotion and reason, responds to social upheaval, and reshapes art history in her own bold style.
