Staff Picks: Michelle Barger and Rachel Jans on Tony Cragg

Discover hidden gems and hear from multiple perspectives in this series of gallery talks. Each month, an SFMOMA staff member highlights work that pushes boundaries, defies expectations, and inspires deep thinking. You might find a new favorite!

The unassuming cylindrical forms of Tony Cragg’s Stock reveal surprising contents when the lids are lifted. For this month’s Staff Picks, join Head of Conservation Michelle Barger and Assistant Curator of Painting and Sculpture Rachel Jans for a special in-gallery exploration of this enigmatic artwork.

Michelle Barger is head of conservation and conservator of objects at SFMOMA, where she manages the conservation program for the museum’s exhibitions. She is particularly interested in developing models of care for contemporary art — especially when living artists can be integrated into the process. She has also worked at the Museum of Fine Arts, Boston, and the Philadelphia Museum of Art. Barger holds a BA in Art History from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, and an MS in Art Conservation from the University of Delaware/Winterthur Museum.

Rachel Jans is an assistant curator of painting and sculpture at SFMOMA. She has written and lectured extensively on modern and contemporary art in the United States and Europe, and holds a PhD in art history from the University of Chicago.