Sarah J. Magnatta
Assistant Professor
Art History—Global Contemporary Art
Specialization(s)
global contemporary art, museum studies
Professional Biography
Sarah received her PhD in art history from the Ohio State University and specializes in global contemporary art and museum studies. She previously worked at the Denver Art Museum and has curated several exhibitions, including Gonkar Gyatso: Intimacy and Immediacy at the Vicki Myhren Gallery in Denver. She also curated Tenzing Rigdol’s first solo U.S. exhibition, My World Is in Your Blind Spot at the Emmanuel Art Gallery in Denver and the Tibet House U.S. in New York City. Sarah’s research largely concerns issues of transnationalism and mobilities in contemporary art; her current book project is tentatively titled Contemporary Art of the Tibetan Diaspora. She has published essays in Art Journal, Journal of the British Association for South Asian Studies, the Journal of Aesthetics and Culture, and the Routledge Handbook of Asian Transnationalism. She teaches courses on contemporary art through global perspectives and is especially interested in challenging art historical and museum hegemonies.
Degree(s)
- Ph.D., Art History, The Ohio State University, 2014
- MA, Art History, University of Denver, 2005
- BA, Art History, University of Colorado, 2001
Professional Affiliations
- College Art Association
- American Alliance of Museums
- Association for Asian Studies
Featured Publications
Magnatta, Sarah J. “Tibetan Self-Immolation In The Art Of Tenzing Rigdol.” In Routledge Handbook Of Asian Transnationalism. edited by Ajaya K. Sahoo. Abingdon, UK: Routledge. 2022.
Magnatta, Sarah J. “Rauschenberg In Tibet: Reflections From The Artists” Rauschenberg: Reflections And Ruminations. Englewood, CO: Museum of Outdoor Arts. 2020.
Magnatta, Sarah J. “Between The Lines” Tenzing Rigdol: Dialogue. Hong Kong: Rossi and Rossi, Ltd. 2019.
Magnatta, Sarah J. “Common Ground: Place And Identity In Contemporary Tibetan Art .” Looking Askance At Himalayan Art. Journal of the British Association for South Asian Studies 34, no. 2, (2019): 186-196.
Presentations
Magnatta, Sarah J. “Marking Impermanence: The Life Of The Object (And Index) In Sonam Dolma Brauen's Art” Association For Asian Studies Conference, Boston, MA, AAS, 2023.
Magnatta, Sarah J. “Our Land, Our People: Reconsidering Site-Specificity In Exile” College Art Association Annual Meeting, virtual, College Art Association (CAA), 2021.
Magnatta, Sarah J. “Decanonizing The Gallery: Case Studies From University Museums” College Art Association Annual Conference, virtual, Museum Committee, College Art Association, 2021.
Magnatta, Sarah J. “Blind Spots: Overcoming Individual And Institutional Biases” College Art Association, Chicago, IL, Museum Committee, 2020.
Magnatta, Sarah J. “"Tenzing Rigdol's My World Is In Your Blind Spot," In The Art Of Power: Himalayan Art In And As The Political Realm” College Art Association Annual Conference, New York City, NY, CAA, 2019.
Magnatta, Sarah J. “From The Fire: Political Imagery In Tenzing Rigdol's Art” Association For Asian Studies Annual Conference, Denver, CO, AAS, 2019.
