In a poignant tribute to his mentor and friend, Phong Bui has curated an exhibition at the Brattleboro Museum & Art Center that celebrates the life and legacy of art historian Meyer Schapiro. The show brings together 16 well-known artists, including Philip Guston, Arshile Gorky, Mark Rothko, and Robert Motherwell, whose works were closely tied to Schapiro's intellectual pursuits.
Bui, who was born in Vietnam and came to the US as a teenager, was deeply influenced by Schapiro's vast knowledge of history, politics, poetry, literature, psychology, and art. The two met in 1986 and quickly became close friends, along with Schapiro's wife, Lillian. Over the years, Bui has been mentored by Schapiro, who introduced him to his circle of friends and colleagues.
The exhibition showcases Brilliantly the scope of their expansive minds. One piece on display is "Shrine to Meyer," a tribute to Schapiro that is usually mounted in Bui's bedroom in Brooklyn. The shrine features works collected by Schapiro over the years and gifted to Bui, as well as some of Schapiro's own art.
Beyond this, the show is a veritable Who's Who of American art, featuring paintings by numerous prominent artists who emigrated to New York City in search of greater freedom. The gathering of these works is also a testament to Phong Bui’s commitment to bringing together communities from all walks of life. Each artist featured was devoted to their craft, pushing themselves throughout a lifetime of discipline.
Bui's connection with Schapiro extends beyond the exhibition itself. In 2022, he curated the first "Singing in Unison" exhibition, showcasing seasoned artists as well as new ones. This show is part of a series that gathers together musicians, dancers, performers, innovators and artists to celebrate community, optimism, and love.
A fitting motto for Bui's exhibitions is, “Artists need to create on the same scale that society has the capacity to destroy.” This dictum echoes Schapiro's own intellectual curiosity and commitment to understanding art and its relationship with history. Through his exhibitions, Bui continues to this day to be a proud connector of communities, bringing together people from all walks of life in celebration of love and optimism.
Through February 15, 2026, the Brattleboro Museum & Art Center will be hosting "Singing in Unison, Part 13: Homage to Meyer Schapiro."
Bui, who was born in Vietnam and came to the US as a teenager, was deeply influenced by Schapiro's vast knowledge of history, politics, poetry, literature, psychology, and art. The two met in 1986 and quickly became close friends, along with Schapiro's wife, Lillian. Over the years, Bui has been mentored by Schapiro, who introduced him to his circle of friends and colleagues.
The exhibition showcases Brilliantly the scope of their expansive minds. One piece on display is "Shrine to Meyer," a tribute to Schapiro that is usually mounted in Bui's bedroom in Brooklyn. The shrine features works collected by Schapiro over the years and gifted to Bui, as well as some of Schapiro's own art.
Beyond this, the show is a veritable Who's Who of American art, featuring paintings by numerous prominent artists who emigrated to New York City in search of greater freedom. The gathering of these works is also a testament to Phong Bui’s commitment to bringing together communities from all walks of life. Each artist featured was devoted to their craft, pushing themselves throughout a lifetime of discipline.
Bui's connection with Schapiro extends beyond the exhibition itself. In 2022, he curated the first "Singing in Unison" exhibition, showcasing seasoned artists as well as new ones. This show is part of a series that gathers together musicians, dancers, performers, innovators and artists to celebrate community, optimism, and love.
A fitting motto for Bui's exhibitions is, “Artists need to create on the same scale that society has the capacity to destroy.” This dictum echoes Schapiro's own intellectual curiosity and commitment to understanding art and its relationship with history. Through his exhibitions, Bui continues to this day to be a proud connector of communities, bringing together people from all walks of life in celebration of love and optimism.
Through February 15, 2026, the Brattleboro Museum & Art Center will be hosting "Singing in Unison, Part 13: Homage to Meyer Schapiro."
. it's amazing how one person can have such a huge impact on the lives of others, you know? and to see all these famous artists come together is just incredible 
. i love how Bui's exhibitions aren't just about art, but also about bringing people together and celebrating love and optimism 
. it's like he's spreading this message of community and inclusivity, and that's something we could all learn from 
.
. It's like a big ol' hug for art lovers everywhere! Phong Bui has done an amazing job of bringing together so many talented artists, including some really famous ones like Rothko and Motherwell. I mean, can you imagine growing up in Vietnam as a teenager and then being mentored by Meyer Schapiro himself? 
That's some serious inspiration right there.
I love how Bui has curated this exhibition as a tribute to his friend and mentor, and it's clear that he's put a lot of thought into bringing together these amazing artists. It's definitely an event worth checking out if you're an art lover or just someone who appreciates beauty and creativity.
and the fact that phong was mentored by schapiro himself is just incredible 
i also appreciate how bui's exhibitions are all about community and love, it's so refreshing in today's world 
and it wasn't all about some fancy prices tag... those artists like guson and rothko they were more than just painters, they had hearts 
. Phong Bui is doing something right by curating exhibitions that bring people together 
and celebrating love 
. I wish he would do a show on the good old days of vinyl records 
... anyway, this one about Schapiro sounds like it's gonna be deep 
can't wait to see it at the Brattleboro Museum & Art Center 