What significant art exhibition, featuring over 80 works championing women and artists of color, opened at Hauser & Wirth, Los Angeles, in February 2026?

The significant art exhibition that opened at Hauser & Wirth, Los Angeles, in February 2026, championing women and artists of color, is titled "Destiny Is a Rose: The Eileen Harris Norton Collection." This expansive show, featuring over 80 works, celebrates five decades of visionary collecting by philanthropist and cultural advocate Eileen Harris Norton. It opened to the public on February 24, 2026, offering a rare glimpse into one of Southern California's most thoughtful private art collections.

The exhibition is named after a 1990 painting by Kerry James Marshall, a prominent artist whose work often explores themes of Black identity and art historical narratives. Harris Norton began her collecting journey in 1976 with the purchase of a print from African American arts advocate Ruth Waddy, establishing a lifelong commitment to supporting underrepresented artists. Her collection is particularly notable for its focus on women artists, artists of color, and those with connections to her native California, reflecting a dedication to cultural and social change within the art world.

"Destiny Is a Rose" goes beyond a typical collection display, revealing Harris Norton's worldview and her personal relationships with artists. The exhibition highlights how one individual's unwavering support can profoundly shape cultural institutions and narratives for future generations. It stands as a testament to collecting as a form of stewardship and dialogue, rather than mere speculation, and includes works by renowned artists such as Mark Bradford, David Hammons, Glenn Ligon, Betye Saar, Lorna Simpson, Carrie Mae Weems, and Kara Walker, among many others.