Elizabeth Catlett was an American-born sculptor and printmaker known for her politically charged art focused on race, gender, and social justice. In representing women of different races, Catlett’s print Three Women of America confronted the deep racial and gender divides in the US, while also reflecting her enduring commitment to equality and justice.
Elizabeth Catlett was an American-born sculptor and printmaker known for her politically charged art focused on race, gender, and social justice. A granddaughter of enslaved people, Catlett was denied admission to the Carnegie Institute due to her race but went on to study at Howard University and became the first Black woman to earn an MFA in sculpture from the University of Iowa. She centered her work on the Black experience, creating iconic sculptures and prints that highlighted the strength of Black women and workers. Her left-wing activism and involvement with the progressive printmaking collective Taller de Gráfica Popular in Mexico led to an investigation by the US House Un-American Activities Committee during the 1950s, leading her to renounce her US citizenship and become a naturalized Mexican citizen in 1962.
In representing women of different races, Catlett’s print Three Women of America confronted the deep racial and gender divides in the US, while also reflecting her enduring commitment to equality and justice. Catlett used her art to challenge the status quo, remaining a powerful voice for change well into her 90s. Her story is a powerful testament to how art intersects with democracy, equity, and the voice of the people. She understood that democracy is not just about voting or political systems but also about who gets to be seen, heard, and represented.
The entry wall includes prompts for visitors to respond to questions about America, censorship, democracy, social change, and community involvement, sparked by Catlett’s print.
Yellow labels throughout the museum also feature reflections from students in museum-classroom programs. After tours, students shared how KAM’s artworks on view deepened their understanding of social issues, identity, and the shape of our democracy.
Krannert Art Museum, in partnership with 10 public university museums nationwide, invites visitors to explore how art can spark democracy, civic engagement, and social change. This installation is made possible with the support of Assistant Professor Somi Lee; Rantoul High School teachers Allison O’Hern and Andrea Cox; and KAM Assistant Director of Community Engagement and Learning Rachel Lauren Storm. With participation from students of ARTE 260: Museums in Action at the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign and students from the ArtSpeak Museum Internship Program at Rantoul Township High School, School District 193. Exhibitions are a team effort. In addition to the entire KAM staff who contributed their work, we recognize Christine Saniat, Museum Registrar and Exhibitions Director; Kim Sissons, Collection Manager; Walter Wilson, Design and Installation Specialist; and Tim Fox, Design and Installation Specialist. To learn more, visit: go.illinois.edu/ArtandDemocracy.
Curated by Rachel Lauren Storm, Assistant Director of Community Engagement and Learning
What Does It Mean to Be an American? | Art & Conversation Deck
This installation includes a conversation game designed to help you and your friends, neighbors, colleagues, and strangers explore the question what does it mean to be an American? The game includes 12 images and 16 prompts that can be mixed and matched to spark new conversations around community, personal beliefs, art, politics, identity, civic life, democracy, and more.
This game was created by a group of university art museums from across the country who believe that museums play an important role in strengthening communities and encouraging civic participation. Our museums form a network of civic spaces where people can come together, express themselves, learn to disagree, build stronger bonds, and develop understanding across differences. Each museum contributed an artwork from its collection that evokes the culture, politics, and history of the USA.
Designed by the University of Michigan Museum of Art with the Institute of Museum and Library Services with contributions from Chazen Museum of Art (University of Wisconsin–Madison), Hammer Museum (University of California, Los Angeles), Jordan Schnitzer Museum of Art (University of Oregon), Krannert Art Museum (University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign), MSU Broad Art Museum (Michigan State University), Palmer Museum of Art (Penn State), Sheldon Museum of Art (University of Nebraska–Lincoln), Stanley Museum of Art (University of Iowa), University of Maryland Art Gallery, and Weisman Art Museum (University of Minnesota).
Art & Conversation Deck discussion prompts created in collaboration with the University of Michigan Ginsberg Center for Community Service and Learning.
