In Search of a Future gathers a selection of work from the Krannert Art Museum’s collection to consider how artists have approached moments of distress and turmoil in both subtle and overt critiques of power structures, military interventions, human rights violations, and capitalist greed.
The title comes from George Wald, Nobel Laureate and biologist, who delivered a speech in 1969 that condemned nuclear weapons and the Vietnam War, both of which were existential threats that he found particularly detrimental to the younger generation. His words inspired artist Mary Cady Johnson (BFA ’35) to create a suite of prints featured in the exhibition. There are strong parallels between our current moment of upheaval with historical precedents, specifically economic anxiety, political polarization, and the rise in and push back against authoritarianism. While the exhibition does not offer answers, it intends to provide a contemplative space for reflection and dialogue.
The artists in this installation—Michael Ashenbrenner, Leonard Baskin, Ben Blount, Roger Brown, Vernon Fisher, Leon Golub, Mary Cady Johnson, William Kentridge, Annette Lemieux, Emmy Lingscheit, Alejandro Lugo, Guen Montgomery, Maryam Safajoo—produced critical works of art that rose to their particular moment, in hope of better, more equitable futures.
Curated by Kathryn Koca Polite, Assistant Curator.
Krannert Art Museum acknowledges support from the Illinois Arts Council.
