Seymour H. Knox Building
M&T Bank Gallery

Food is an art form that invites everyone’s participation. While our engagement with food often begins out of physical necessity, its potential extends far beyond mere sustenance. What we prepare and with whom we share it is integral to culture, community, and relationships. Though some may grow or raise their own food, more often than not, we buy it. Once in the kitchen, basic ingredients are transformed through cutting, dressing, cooking and, ultimately, eating. However, the ability to purchase, cook, and consume healthy food is not an equitable experience throughout the United States. Even in Western New York, food insecurity looms large.

Composed entirely of works from the AKG’s collection and organized around three main themes—The Product, The Kitchen, and The Meal—Dine In invites visitors to explore the ways that we experience food and its related activities. For instance, Andy Warhol's depictions of Campbell's soup cans highlight the impact of consumerism and the products many of us seek in grocery stores. In contrast, Jean Fautrier's Fish Heads portrays the kitchen as a space of transformation, emphasizing that the cycle of life is inherent to the food we consume. Finally, works like Richard Artschwager's Table Laid with Good Intentions evoke nostalgia and reflect the complexity of social dynamics. Together, these and other works use powerful imagery to reflect the human condition, reminding us that dining in often encompasses more than just a meal. 

A special audio commentary for Dine In will include contributions from the Food & Beverage team at the Buffalo AKG. Visitors are also encouraged to enrich their experience beyond the M&T Bank Gallery by exploring the special installation Dining Out at the AKG, which showcases archival content related to the history of hospitality and eating at the museum. In addition, guests, who visit the collection galleries, will discover more related content.