10 Artworks To See at the Rubell Museum in Miami in 2025

Step into Miami’s Rubell Museum, where the walls pulse with creativity and the art world’s biggest names—Kusama, Basquiat, Johnson—come alive. Packed with must-see artworks, this ever-evolving collection is the place to be in 2025: here’s what to look out for.

Miami is famous for its sun-drenched beaches, electric nightlife, and thriving food scene, but there’s another reason it’s such a popular hotspot: art. And at the heart of its artistic scene is the Rubell Museum, a contemporary art treasure trove that blends the vibrancy of Miami with the allure of creativity.

Housed in Miami’s Allapattah neighborhood, the museum has that perfect mix of raw industrial vibes and sleek gallery cool. The Rubell’s genius lies in how it celebrates the heavyweights of the art world while championing fresh voices you’ve probably never heard of (but definitely should). It’s the kind of place where you might wander casually into a room and suddenly realize you’re standing inches from a Basquiat.

In this guide, we’re spotlighting 10 must-see works of art at the Rubell Museum that’ll take you on a journey through color, texture, and some serious creative genius. 

The Rubell Museum’s journey began in the 1960s, long before it became Miami’s contemporary art mecca. Don and Mera Rubell started collecting art with a modest budget, fueled by their shared love for bold, groundbreaking works. At the time, they couldn’t afford the giants of the art world, so they took a chance on emerging artists, many of whom would later become legends. That knack for spotting talent early set the tone for a collection that feels as fresh and daring today as it did decades ago.

In 1993, the Rubells moved their growing collection into a former DEA confiscated-goods facility in Wynwood, laying the groundwork for Miami’s emergence as a global art hub. Fast-forward to 2019, and they made another bold move: transforming a massive warehouse in Allapattah into a sprawling, sunlit showcase for their 7,700-plus works. This new space not only celebrates their collection but also amplifies their mission to support underrepresented artists.

1. Yayoi Kusama, Infinity Mirrored Room

If there’s one piece at the Rubell Museum that deserves its own star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame, it’s Yayoi Kusama’s Infinity Mirrored Room.

Few artists have mastered the art of creating an alternate reality quite like Yayoi Kusama. Born in Japan in 1929, Kusama’s career spans painting, sculpture, performance, and immersive installations. Her art often reflects her struggles with mental health and lifelong hallucinations, transforming personal experiences into universal themes of infinity, repetition, and self-dissolution. The Infinity Mirrored Room series is among her most celebrated works, embodying her fascination with the infinite and her desire to merge the self with the cosmos.

By arranging lights and mirrors in precise configurations, Kusama manipulates the perception of space, making the room feel boundless and otherworldly. When visitors step inside, they become part of the art, their reflections multiplied endlessly.

For those unfamiliar with Kusama’s work, the Infinity Mirrored Room is an ideal introduction. Take a breath, take it in, and let Kusama’s vision of infinite possibilities wash over you. After all, how often do you get the chance to step into the universe according to one of the most celebrated artists of our time?

2. Yayoi Kusama, Where the Lights in My Heart Go

While Infinity Mirrored Room dazzles with its overwhelming sense of boundlessness, Kusama’s Where the Lights in My Heart Go offers a quieter, more introspective experience. Created in 2016, this installation exemplifies Kusama’s ongoing exploration of light, space, and the human psyche. The work consists of a mirrored, box-like structure punctured with small circular openings. Visitors peer into the box and witness beams of natural light filtering through, creating a tranquil, celestial effect.

Unlike the infinite reflections of the Infinity Mirrored Room, this piece plays with negative space. The carefully placed holes allow light to pour in, transforming the interior into a constellation-like scene that evokes both intimacy and vastness.

Technically, Where the Lights in My Heart Go is an example of Kusama’s mastery of minimalism, a counterpoint to her often maximalist aesthetic.

3. Maurizio Cattelan, Not Afraid of Love

Maurizio Cattelan is the enfant terrible of the contemporary art world, known for his provocative, often absurdist sculptures that challenge societal norms and provoke strong reactions. Born in Padua, Italy, in 1960, Cattelan has built a reputation for blending dark humor with biting commentary on topics like mortality, power, and human folly. Not Afraid of Love is a prime example of his ability to shock and engage simultaneously.

At the center of this work is a hyperrealistic sculpture of an elephant concealed beneath a large white sheet, with only its legs and trunk visible. This surreal tableau challenges viewers to confront themes of concealment, fear, and the proverbial “elephant in the room”. By attempting to hide its massive form under a flimsy cover, the elephant becomes a metaphor for the futility of ignoring obvious truths or issues.

Cattelan’s meticulous attention to detail, from the lifelike rendering of the elephant’s trunk to the carefully draped sheet, enhances the installation’s impact. The work’s title, Not Afraid of Love, adds another layer of interpretation, suggesting themes of emotional exposure and the courage to confront hidden feelings.

4. Rashid Johnson, I Who Have Nothing

Rashid Johnson’s I Who Have Nothing is a commanding work that combines personal history with cultural commentary, a hallmark of the artist’s practice. Johnson, born in Chicago in 1977, is a leading figure in contemporary art known for his use of materials that resonate with themes of Black identity, history, and spirituality. This particular piece exemplifies his ability to turn everyday objects into profound reflections on heritage and selfhood.

The work consists of a minimalist steel grid structure filled with carefully arranged items such as shea butter, plants, books, and LP records. Each item carries symbolic weight, referencing aspects of African diasporic culture and personal memory. The shea butter, for instance, is both a material and a metaphor—a nod to traditional African remedies and self-care rituals. Meanwhile, the books and records reflect Johnson’s exploration of intellectual and cultural legacies.

Johnson’s ability to fuse abstract aesthetics with tangible cultural references makes I Who Have Nothing a powerful and thought-provoking centerpiece in the museum’s collection.

5. Cady Noland, This Piece Has No Title Yet

Cady Noland is a conceptual artist who dissects the American Dream, deconstructing its ideals to expose the underlying tensions of power, violence, and consumerism. Born in 1956, Noland’s works are sharp, unflinching commentaries on the myths and contradictions that define American culture. This Piece Has No Title Yet (1989) is emblematic of her ability to create minimalist yet evocative sculptures that pack a psychological punch.

The artwork consists of a simple yet loaded arrangement of materials: bars of aluminum, chains, and everyday objects associated with confinement and control. The stark, industrial aesthetic evokes images of prisons or barriers, challenging viewers to consider the societal systems that define freedom—or the lack thereof.

What makes Noland’s work so impactful is its deliberate ambiguity. Is the piece a critique of corporate control, a meditation on the human condition, or a metaphor for America’s fractured psyche? By refusing to provide definitive answers, Noland encourages viewers to confront their own interpretations and biases. 

6. Jean-Michel Basquiat, Bird on Money

Few artists embody the raw energy and cultural dynamism of the 1980s like Jean-Michel Basquiat. Born in Brooklyn in 1960, Basquiat rose to fame as a graffiti artist turned gallery star, channeling his Haitian and Puerto Rican heritage into vivid, layered works that critiqued power structures, racial inequality, and consumer culture. Bird on Money (1981) is one of his most celebrated pieces, a vibrant homage to jazz musician Charlie “Bird” Parker and a poignant reflection on fame and mortality.

The painting is a masterful blend of text, symbols, and Basquiat’s signature frenetic linework. Dominated by a central figure with a skeletal face and crowned head—a recurring motif in his work—the piece alludes to the duality of Parker’s life: celebrated genius and tragic victim of excess. What makes Bird on Money so compelling is its chaotic composition, which mimics the improvisational nature of jazz itself. Layers of imagery overlap, revealing Basquiat’s frenetic creative process and his ability to convey complex ideas through seemingly raw and spontaneous strokes.

At the Rubell Museum, this piece stands as a cornerstone of Basquiat’s legacy. It encapsulates his ability to merge personal and cultural narratives into art that speaks across generations.

7. El Anatsui, Another Man’s Cloth

El Anatsui’s Another Man’s Cloth is a masterpiece of transformation, blending tradition and innovation in a way that has captivated the global art world. Born in Ghana in 1944 and based in Nigeria, Anatsui is renowned for his monumental sculptures created from everyday materials. In Another Man’s Cloth, he uses discarded aluminum bottle caps and copper wire to create a shimmering tapestry that redefines the boundaries of sculpture and textile art.

The title itself—Another Man’s Cloth—alludes to the complex histories of trade, cultural exchange, and colonialism. The bottle caps, sourced from Nigerian distilleries, carry the echoes of global commerce and consumption. By repurposing these materials into something beautiful and intricate, Anatsui transforms symbols of waste into a celebration of resilience and renewal. The resulting piece evokes the patterns and textures of traditional kente cloth, linking his contemporary practice to the weaving traditions of West Africa.

Technically, the work is a marvel. Thousands of aluminum pieces are flattened, shaped, and painstakingly stitched together with copper wire, creating a flowing, quilt-like surface. Despite its metallic origins, the sculpture has a remarkable softness and fluidity, as if it could drape like fabric.

8. Keith Haring, Untitled (Heart Art Series)

Keith Haring’s art is instantly recognizable: bold lines, vibrant colors, and energetic figures bursting with life and movement. Born in Pennsylvania in 1958, Haring rose to fame during the 1980s as a pioneer of street art, transforming public spaces into dynamic canvases for his socially conscious messages.

This piece features Haring’s iconic motifs: dancing figures holding a bright red heart, radiating with lines that amplify its energy. It’s a celebration of love and connection, two themes central to Haring’s oeuvre.

While the artwork appears playful at first glance, it also reflects Haring’s commitment to activism. Throughout his career, he used his art to address pressing social issues, from the AIDS crisis to inequality, often blending optimism with urgency. The heart motif in this piece, for example, symbolizes compassion and unity, making it as poignant today as it was when Haring first painted it.

9. Sterling Ruby, SP17 Series

Sterling Ruby is a contemporary art powerhouse, celebrated for his diverse practice that spans painting, sculpture, ceramics, and installation. Born in Germany in 1972 and raised in the U.S., Ruby’s work often explores themes of destruction, renewal, and the tension between the industrial and the organic. The SP17 Series is a prime example of his dynamic approach to painting, combining raw energy with meticulous technique.

These large-scale spray-painted works are a riot of color and texture, created by layering translucent and opaque sprays of paint over vast canvases. The result is a mesmerizing interplay of luminous hues and smoky gradients, giving the pieces a sense of depth and movement. At first glance, the SP17 Series might appear purely abstract, but Ruby’s paintings carry an emotional intensity that speaks to the viewer on a visceral level. The works feel both futuristic and primal, evoking everything from cosmic nebulae to urban graffiti.

In the context of the Rubell Museum, the SP17 Series is a striking departure from more figurative works, offering a pure sensory experience.

10. Josh Kline, Indifference and Normalization

Josh Kline’s work is a wake-up call to modern society. Born in Philadelphia in 1979, Kline is known for his thought-provoking installations and sculptures that critique capitalism, technology, and the erosion of human empathy in the digital age.

Indifference and Normalization both exemplify his ability to distill complex, often unsettling ideas into visually arresting forms. The work is a mixed-media installation that uses uncanny, hyperrealistic sculptures paired with everyday objects to create dystopian scenes. Kline’s meticulously crafted pieces often feature elements like disembodied body parts, office supplies, and technological devices, drawing attention to the dehumanizing aspects of modern life.

This deliberate ambiguity forces viewers to question their own desensitization—how much have we normalized inequality, environmental destruction, or mass surveillance? The sterile, corporate-like presentation only adds to the unsettling atmosphere, making the piece feel like a vision of a near-future reality.

Displayed at the Rubell Museum, Kline’s artworks are a certainly conversation starter. It challenges viewers to reflect on their complicity in the systems Kline critiques and to consider the consequences of passive acceptance.

Why You Should Visit the Rubell Museum in Miami

The Rubell Museum is one of those places you’ll tell everyone about, whether you’re into contemporary art or not. And here’s why: this isn’t just another Miami hotspot for selfies (though you’ll want to snap a few). The Rubell is a living, breathing collection that evolves constantly, with new pieces and fresh perspectives every time you visit. The curators don’t just rest on their laurels, but actively push the boundaries of what a private museum can be, making it one of the most dynamic art spaces in the country.

Its reputation is rising fast, and for good reason. The museum has become a pilgrimage site for contemporary art lovers, with works by some of the most important artists of our time—Basquiat, Kusama, and Haring, to name a few. But what makes the Rubell really shine is its ability to champion underrepresented and emerging voices, often introducing visitors to artists who are shaping the future of art.

And then there’s the sheer variety. The museum’s collection of over 7,700 works means you’ll never see the same thing twice. The team rotates exhibitions regularly, which means you could visit one year and come back the next to an entirely different experience. It keeps things fresh, exciting, and worth returning to—a rarity in the museum world.

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