The word “permanent” calls to mind forever-feeling artworks in the Minneapolis Sculpture Garden, but the reinstalled permanent collection show at Walker Art Center, titled “This Must Be the Place,” is enduring yet flexible.
Chief Curator Henriette Huldisch has been busy sifting through the art center’s permanent collection of nearly 12,000 works by 2,300 artists. Working with senior curator Siri Engberg, the two selected 120 pieces, centering the show on ideas of “home,” with an emphasis on community, the urban environment and the natural landscape.
But still, this prompts the question: Why create an exhibition featuring a museum’s permanent collection?
“We wanted there to be a clear sort of identity that sets it apart from the temporary exhibitions and makes it something that’s hopefully a bit of an anchor, and something that people will come to again and again,” Huldisch said.
It’s been five years since the Walker last reinstalled its permanent collection, and this new show will be up through 2029. Everything old is new again, except for an Alice Neel that continues to be on view from the previous five-year show.
Here are five works you have to see, but don’t worry — there is no rush. They’ll be there when you’re ready.

Wild Blue Horses
“Die grossen blauen Pferde” (The Large Blue Horses), a 1911 painting by German Expressionist artist Franz Marc, visually melds the curvy bodies of muscular horses with a colorful landscape. Purchased in 1942, it is the Walker’s most requested piece but hasn’t been on view for eight years because it was galloping around New York and Switzerland.
“It’s one of the earlier works in our permanent collection, which is not primarily focused around early 20th century works,” Huldisch said. “It is probably our most beloved painting. The front of house staff said that people frequently come in asking where you can see it.”