To My Best Friend

To My Best Friend is an exhibition celebrating art, artists, and the Institute of Contemporary Art/Boston’s long history of presenting influential contemporary voices. It draws on more than 50 works that longtime ICA supporters Fotene Demoulas and Tom Coté have helped bring into the museum’s collection, which now numbers nearly 500 works across painting, sculpture, photography, installation, and other media.

The exhibition emphasizes formal and material experimentation, with works by artists including Laura Owens, Njideka Akunyili Crosby, Olga de Amaral, Sarah Sze, Lorna Simpson, Deborah Roberts, and Lynette Yiadom-Boakye. It also reflects Demoulas and Coté’s sustained support for historically underrepresented artists and women artists at different stages of their careers, and their belief in contemporary art’s ability to build community and expand visibility for diverse perspectives.

When: January 23–December 31, 2026

Venue: Institute of Contemporary Art/Boston, Kim and Jim Pallotta Gallery

Description: The exhibition honors the relationships that have shaped the ICA over its 90-year history while looking toward the museum’s future. Featured works demonstrate a shared interest in experimentation with materials and form, as well as the distinctive perspectives artists bring to the world.

Artists: Laura Owens, Njideka Akunyili Crosby, Olga de Amaral, Sarah Sze, Lorna Simpson, Deborah Roberts, and Lynette Yiadom-Boakye, among others

Organizer: Erika Umali, Curator of Collections

Tickets: Price not available