Collection Spotlight

Collection Spotlight: Jeremy Frey, Untitled (2023)

Artist: Jeremy Frey (Passamaquoddy, born 1978)Title: Untitled Date: 2023Medium: Unique relief print and embossment with handwoven Wabanaki basket on handmade Dieu Donné paperCredit: Mary and Leigh Block Museum of Art, Northwestern University. Purchased from Karma Gallery, 2026. 2026.8. Centered on a cream-colored sheet of handmade paper is the blue-gray impression of a woven rectangle. The […]

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Collection Spotlight

Collection Spotlight: Gillian Wearing, Video Still (Homage to the Woman with the Bandaged Face), 1995-96

Artist: Gillian Wearing (British, born 1963) Title: Video Still (Homage to the Woman with the Bandaged Face) Date: 1995‒96 Medium: Reversal film dye coupler print Dimensions: 16 3/4 in x 23 1/4 in Credit: Mary and Leigh Block Museum of Art, Northwestern University, gift of Peter Norton, 2016.4.60. Imagine walking down the street and brushing past myriad faces—an experience typical of […]

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Collection Spotlight, Northwestern Learning, Programs & Events

Teaching “Marsha” through the Block’s Collection [PDF]

On April 2, 2026, The Block Museum of Art hosted an online collection talk exploring artworks from the museum’s collection in dialogue with the biography Marsha: The Joy and Defiance of Marsha P. Johnson by Tourmaline. Led by Curatorial Associate Llewyn Blossfeld and facilitated by Engagement Coordinator and Educator Isabella Ko, the program considered how […]

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Collection Spotlight

Collection Spotlight: Jonathan Michael Castillo, Immigrant Owned portfolio, 2022

Artist: Jonathan Michael Castillo (American)Title: Immigrant Owned photo seriesDate: 2022Medium: Inkjet printDimensions: 43 × 55.7 cm, eachCredit: Mary and Leigh Block Museum of Art, Northwestern University, Art and Community Fund purchase, 2025.27 From February 4 to March 8, 2026, a number of works from this series will be on view in The Living Room at The Block Museum of Art. Chicago’s neighborhoods are […]

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Collection Spotlight

Collection Spotlight: Bruce Conner, #113, 1970

Artist: Bruce Conner (American, 1933 – 2008)Title: #113Date: 1970Medium: Offset lithograph on paperDimensions: 20 3/16 × 14 1/4 in. Credit: Mary and Leigh Block Museum of Art, Northwestern University, gift of The Conner Family Trust, San Francisco, 2025.1.6 From January 5 to February 1, 2026, a number of Bruce Conner’s works will be on view […]

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Collection Spotlight

Collection Spotlight: Leon Lewandowski, “Picture of Cora Ward,” ca. 1950

Artist: Leon Lewandowski (American, 1932 – 2005)Titles: Picture of Cora WardDate: c.1950Medium: Gelatin silver printDimensions: 7 9/16 in x 7 1/2 in inchesCredit Line: Mary and Leigh Block Museum of Art, Northwestern University, gift of Steve Nordman, 2017.10.2 Leon Lewandowski (American, 1932– 2005) has been described as a “forgotten street photographer.”1 Indeed, much of Lewandowski’s work did not see the light of […]

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Collection Spotlight

Collection Spotlight: Dyani White Hawk, They Gifted (Day) and They Gifted (Night)

Artist: Dyani White Hawk (Sičáŋǧu Lakota / American, born 1976, Madison, Wisconsin)Titles: They Gifted (Day) and They Gifted (Night)Date: 2024Medium: Color screenprint on Lanaquarelle watercolor paperDimensions: 58 x 28 ½ inches eachCredit Line: Mary and Leigh Block Museum of Art, Northwestern University, Julie and Lawrence Bernstein Family Art Acquisition Fund purchase, 2025.7.1, 2025.7.2 From November […]

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