Photos: Behind the scenes at the Rose Art Museum with artist Lyle Ashton Harris
![Pieces of art are layed out](/now/2023/february/images/001-rose-960.jpg)
Artist Lyle Ashton Harris adjusts a collage ahead of his exhibition “Our first and last love” at the Rose Art Museum.
Artist Lyle Ashton Harris' first solo presentation in New England in more than two decades is a critical examination of identity and self-portraiture that brings together photographs and installations from both his celebrated and lesser-known series spanning his 35-year career.
"Our first and last love" opened at the Rose on February 9 and is on display through July 2.
Ahead of the opening, Harris joined museum staff for the installation, and university photographer Dan Holmes captured the process in images.
The exhibition is co-organized by the Rose Art Museum, Brandeis University and Queens Museum, and is co-curated by Caitlin Julia Rubin, Associate Curator, Rose Art Museum, and Lauren Haynes, Director of Curatorial Affairs and Programs, Queens Museum.
![Two people laying out art](/now/2023/february/images/003-rose-960.jpg)
Rose Art Museum Associate Curator Caitlin Julia Rubin hands Interim Exhibitions Coordinator Garrett Gould a photograph.
![Someone using broom and another laying out art](/now/2023/february/images/002-rose-960.jpg)
Painters prepare the Lois Foster Wing ahead of the exhibition.
![Caution art below written on paper](/now/2023/february/images/004-rose-960.jpg)
A museum worker lifts a sheet with a label that reads “Caution Art Below.”
![Putting up art reflections](/now/2023/february/images/006-rose-960.jpg)
Mike Nelson, of Waltham-based Olsen Images, installs vinyl signage for the exhibition.
![Going up and putting up art](/now/2023/february/images/005-rose-960.jpg)
Lyle Ashton Harris helps to install his mixed media collage, "Obsessão II," ahead of the exhibition.
![Measuring even display](/now/2023/february/images/008-rose-960.jpg)
Preparator Bella Steele levels a mount as Interim Exhibitions Coordinator Garrett Gould observes.
![Taping up display](/now/2023/february/images/009-rose-960.jpg)
Studio assistant Ryan Rusiecki carefully hangs photos in the Lois Foster Wing.
![Our first and last love is self love](/now/2023/february/images/010-rose-960.jpg)
Neon lights display the exhibition's name: "Our first and last love is self love."
![Moving art work around](/now/2023/february/images/011-rose-960.jpg)
A closer look as Mike Nelson installs vinyl signage for the exhibition.
![People looking at the new display](/now/2023/february/images/012-rose-960.jpg)
Patrons view the exhibition.