Opening at the Ogden Museum of Southern Art on Thursday, Apr. 11, 2019 and on view until Sep. 8, 2019 is 'Piercing the Inner Wall: The Work of Dusti Bongé,' an exhibition celebrating the life and legacy of Mississippi’s first Abstract Expressionist painter. Widely considered to be the first Mississippi artist to work consistently in a Modernist style, Dusti Bongé created a body of work that moved from figurative and Cubist depictions of her Mississippi home in the 1930s, through a period of Surrealism and into an Abstract Expressionist style that defined her mature work. Through paintings, drawings and sculptures, 'Piercing the Inner Wall' traces Bongé’s growth, both artistically and spiritually, and reveals a sphere of influence and inspiration from the Mississippi Gulf Coast, the New Orleans scene and the New York School. This exhibition brings together works from throughout her career – from both private and public collections – to tell the story of one woman’s fierce dedication to a creative life, culminating in a body of work that stands testament to her strong contribution to American Art after World War II. This timely exhibition follows the publication of “Dusti Bongé, Art and Life: Biloxi, New Orleans & New York,” the first major book devoted to the art and life of the artist. With this publication, J. Richard Gruber, Ph.D., Director Emeritus of the Ogden Museum of Southern Art, examines Bongé’s art and career from a regional and national perspective, situating her in the larger context of 20th century American Art. 'Piercing the Inner Wall: The Work of Dusti Bongé' is curated by Bradley Sumrall, Curator of the Collection, and organized by Ogden Museum of Southern Art.