Rachel Feinstein: The Miami Years

Explore the dynamic relationship between place, identity and art in Rachel Feinstein: The Miami Years, a major exhibition at The Bass Museum of Art from September 25, 2024, through August 17, 2025. This career-spanning showcase highlights nearly three decades of work by the New York-based artist, marking her first major exhibition in her hometown of Miami.

Feinstein’s multidisciplinary approach incorporates sculpture, painting, video and performance to examine themes of intimacy, vulnerability and societal constructs of female identity. Central to the exhibition are two new site-specific commissions. Panorama of Miami (2024), a sprawling 30-foot installation of painted mirrored panels, reimagines Miami’s iconic landmarks and architectural styles, blending sophistication and decadence in a modern-day tropical setting. Old Cutler (2024) invites visitors into a room-scale wallpaper installation inspired by the banyan-lined Old Cutler Road, evoking both the enchantment and unease often found in fairytales.

Deeply influenced by Miami’s juxtaposition of natural beauty and urban extremes, Feinstein’s work reflects the city’s cultural and environmental complexities while drawing on broader art historical and cultural references, from rococo paintings to folklore and fashion. Through fragmented, theatrical environments, Feinstein creates immersive experiences that invite viewers to consider the interplay of fantasy, artifice and reality.