Patrick Dougherty: Pilgrimage

Patrick Dougherty: Pilgrimage
November 21, 2026 – April 11, 2027
Member Preview: Friday, November 20, 2027

Patrick Dougherty: Pilgrimage, the first exhibition of its kind, is dedicated to the acclaimed environmental sculptor. Best known for his immersive, building-sized stickworks, Dougherty has transformed landscapes around the world for over four decades. This landmark exhibition offers a more intimate—yet no less monumental—view of his career.

At its center are eight sculptural works that showcase Dougherty’s material ingenuity on a gallery scale: vessels, masks, and wall-mounted forms that remain superhuman in size yet deeply approachable. But the heart of Pilgrimage lies in its tribute to the collaborative spirit that underpins each of Patrick’s ephemeral installations.

Unique to this exhibition, a monumental wall case will display nearly 250 pairs of Patrick’s work gloves—one for each major project. Frayed, worn, and signed by hundreds of volunteers and community members, they are relics of shared labor and creative devotion. Accompanied by drawings, personal artifacts, cherished sticks, and large-scale photographs, the gloves form a powerful material record of a practice built on generosity, transformation, and place. Pilgrimage tells a deeply human story about art, nature, and the connections forged between them.

This exhibition was organized by BRAHM, the Blowing Rock Art & History Museum, and curated by Ian Gabriel Wilson-Rhodes, Curator of Exhibitions & Collections. Special thanks to Marjorie Hodges and Artsuite.

Image credit:
Patrick Dougherty (American, b. 1945), Summer Winds, 2025 (detail). Saplings and sticks. Collection of Cameron Art Museum. ©Patrick Dougherty. Photo Credit: Courtesy Cameron Art Museum