TRANSFORMER20:
RETROSPECTIVE EXHIBITION
& BENEFIT AUCTION

NOVEMBER 11 – DECEMBER 10, 2022
The GW Corcoran School of the Arts and Design

Exhibition hours: Wed - Sat, 1-5pm

Transformer20: Retrospective Exhibition & Benefit Auction

The GW Corcoran School of the Arts and Design
November 11 - December 10, 2022

Thank you to everyone who attended and helped make possible the Transformer20 Gala on November 10, 2022. We are truly grateful for your support.

On the occasion of our 20th anniversary, Transformer presents Transformer20 - a dynamic, large-scale exhibition featuring one hundred artworks by artists from across our twenty years of exhibitions, as well as a deep dive into the organization’s extensive archives. Presented at the GW Corcoran School of the Arts and Design November 11 - December 10, the Transformer20 exhibition also featured an Online Benefit Auction of featured artworks up for bidding and purchase through 5pm on November 19, 2022.

All Transformer20 artwork sales support current and future generations of artists, with a 50/50 sales split on proceeds between participating Transformer20 artists and Transformer.

Image Credit: Transformer20 Exhibition, 2022, by Camille DeSanto.

Transformer20 Programming

Transformer20 Curatorial Walk-Through
Sat. November 12 | 1:30 PM
Join Transformer20 co-curators Victoria Reis and Georgie Payne for a curatorial walk through of the retrospective exhibition within in the GW Corcoran School of the Arts & Design Flagg Building atrium.

Transformer20 Artist Spotlights
Sat. November 19 | 1:30 – 3 PM
Last day of Transformer20 Online Auction bidding! Join us in the GW Corcoran Flagg Building atrium for 15 minute artist spotlights with a series of artists from Transformer20 speaking about their work and connection to Transformer.

The Most Lamentable Comedy | FlatFile Pop-Up Exhibition
Sat. December 3 | 1 - 4 PM
The Most Lamentable Comedy: a series of exhibitions within an exhibition, within an exhibition co-curated by Rex Delafkaran & Nancy Daley of but, also. Featuring more than 400 artworks from Transformer’s FlatFile Program, this pop-up exhibition will commence on December 3rd from 1-4 pm with six back-to-back opening receptions for the exhibitions within the exhibition within Transformer20. See the official press release of The Most Lamentable Comedy here.

TRANSFORMER20 ARTISTS

(As of 09.27.22):

* Indicates GW, Corcoran College of Corcoran School of the Arts and Design student and faculty alumni

ABOUT THE EXHIBITION

Over the last two decades, Transformer has supported exceptionally talented and thoughtful emerging artists locally, nationally and internationally, while maintaining an artist-centered approach that encourages experimentation in all aspects of exhibition making, from content and creation, to process and presentation. Since its very first exhibition Mica & Misaki opened in June 2002, Transformer has remained true to its mission to connect, elevate, and serve emerging artists and arts leaders, dedicated to presenting what is new and next in contemporary art. The organization has presented 545+ exhibitions and programs, developed partnerships with 70+ cultural institutions and 24+ countries — working with more than 3,200 artists, curators and cultural workers. 

“The Corcoran School of the Arts and Design is proud to be hosting Transformer20 and welcoming back  the Transformer community to the Flagg Building. The longstanding partnership between the Corcoran and  Transformer has been essential to our growth and identity. Congratulations to Victoria Reis and Transformer  for your tireless work in supporting emerging artists and cultural leaders,” - Dr. Lauren Onkey, Director of  the Corcoran School of the Arts and Design. 

Transformer20 is co-curated by Victoria Reis, Transformer Co-Founder, Artistic and Executive Director and Georgie Payne, Transformer Staff 2013-2019, Exhibition and Programs Manager from 2015-2019. The retrospective exhibition chronicles the organization’s legacy of presenting innovative, multi-faceted exhibitions and programs, both independently and through global partnerships, while also highlighting the work of artists that have been essential to establishing Transformer’s ethos and aesthetic. All Transformer20 artworks presented are available for sale via an online auction benefit that runs through November 19. Proceeds will support current and future generations of artists, with a 50/50 sales split on proceeds between participating Transformer20 artists and Transformer. 

Transformer20 special programming (detailed below) includes curatorial walk throughs, artist presentations, and a FlatFile pop up exhibition within the GW Corcoran Rotunda gallery.

Widely recognized by artists and growing communities of supporters for substantially supporting and advancing emerging artists and experimental cultural production in Washington, D.C. and beyond, Transformer is thrilled to have this opportunity to highlight our achievements, and those of the exceptional artists who have been part of our continued trajectory. Transformer20 is both a look back at Transformer’s work with artists and a myriad of collaborators, as well as an invitation to support our future.

Photo Documentation by Tiph (@nerdscarf)

TRANSFORMER - THE BOOK

SUMMER 2023

Image Credit: Transformer storefront drawing by Amanda Kleinman for Transformers exhibition, 2004.