The MCA’s Emerge group consists of donors who support the museum’s acquisition and education programs. Every year, this group selects and collectively funds the purchase of one major work by an artist not currently represented in the MCA Collection. This year, in collaboration with the MCA curatorial team, Emerge members proposed works by Yoan Capote (Cuban, b. 1977), Emeka Ogboh (Nigerian, b. 1977), and B. Ingrid Olson (American, b. 1987) for consideration.

Capote’s sculpture addresses constraints on communication—particularly in the artist’s native country of Cuba, but also in varied situations marked by the uneven distribution of power. Ogboh’s installation introduces the sights and sounds of Lagos, Nigeria, to the gallery space with a symphonic composition of everyday urban noises. In Olson’s featured photograph and installation, she uses her body to raise questions about self-presentation, including acts of revelation and concealment.

Emerge members will cast their final votes in May to determine which of these artworks will be added to the MCA Collection.