Felix Gonzalez-Torres’ Transformative Portraits at National Portrait Gallery: 'Always to Return

The Smithsonian’s National Portrait Gallery and the Archives of American Art present Felix Gonzalez-Torres: Always to Return, the largest display of the artist's work in Washington, D.C., in three decades. This powerful exhibit, on view until July 6, 2025, redefines portraiture through the lens of Gonzalez-Torres' influential approach, which challenges the boundaries of identity and memory.

Born in Guáimaro, Cuba, in 1957, Felix Gonzalez-Torres revolutionized the portrait genre in the 1980s and 1990s by exploring dynamic forms that transcend traditional portraiture. His work often addresses the fluidity of identity and history, inviting viewers to engage directly. Through this multisite exhibit—spanning the National Portrait Gallery, the Archives of American Art, and outdoor installations throughout downtown Washington, D.C.—the artist's works foster a sense of collective memory and shared history.

Key installations include Gonzalez-Torres' iconic Untitled (America) light string, stretching across the National Portrait Gallery’s F Street facade, the Martin Luther King Jr. Memorial Library, and along 8th Street NW. Indoors, the artist's Untitled word portraits, including re-imaginings of Untitled (1989), are showcased, painted on walls as a timeline of dates and events that invite viewers to contemplate identity as an evolving narrative.

Notable works in the exhibit include Untitled (Portrait of Ross in L.A.), 1991, a non-figurative "portrait" composed of 175 pounds of colorful candy, symbolizing vitality and the cycle of life. Visitors are encouraged to take a piece, altering the artwork's form over time. This dynamic approach continues in Untitled (Portrait of Dad), 1991, reflecting the artist’s vision of constantly evolving, interconnected identities.

The exhibition also features Gonzalez-Torres’ complete collection of puzzle works, displayed for the first time in the U.S. Audiences can experience the exhibit daily from 11:30 a.m. to 7 p.m., with free admission at the Smithsonian’s National Portrait Gallery.