Open year round, the Galleries at Herron showcase the artwork of emerging and established contemporary artists and designers, as well as the work of Herron’s acclaimed faculty, distinguished alumni and students. All exhibitions and artist talks are free and open to the public.
Current exhibitions
The Sum of Unity
Feb. 3, 2021 – April 17, 2021
Berkshire, Reese and Paul Galleries
Eskenazi Hall
The Sum of Unity, curated by artist and Herron alumnus Samuel Levi Jones, is a composite exhibition in response to the divisive climate in which we all find ourselves. The main thrust of the exhibition will be protest signs – an art form that is often overlooked – created by more than 50 Indiana and Chicago-based artists, including Herron students, alumni, faculty and staff. As an auxiliary part of The Sum of Unity, Indianapolis artists Shamira Wilson and Clayton Hamilton have been asked to create new large-scale murals that will be seen alongside the 2018 animated video by Kota Ezawa, National Anthem.
This exhibition is made possible, in part, by Stuart's Moving and Storage, Indianapolis.
Alicia Henry
Repercussions II: Recent Work by Alicia Henry
Feb. 3, 2021 – March 13, 2021
Marsh Gallery
Eskenazi Hall
Through her unconventional approach to portraiture, Alicia Henry explores how gender, race, culture, and social differences influence us, creating arresting works of art that drive our perception of this genre of art and its possibilities. Henry’s portraits and figures can be comical and dark at the same time; many are rooted in traditions ranging from clowning to blackface, the deeply racist and painful practice of white minstrel performers, as well as her own observations, both personal and public. Her art becomes a vehicle for her witness—to see and to be seen, to reveal and to represent the invisible.
David Plunkert
David Plunkert–The Visual Communi-gator
Nov. 4, 2020 – March 13, 2021
Basile Gallery
Eskenazi Hall
David Plunkert–The Visual Communi-gator, is the first in Herron's new series of exhibitions to examine the best of today's illustrators. With clients such as Rolling Stone, The New Yorker, Capital Records, Dogfish Head Craft Brewery, ViacomCBS Domestic Media Networks, and Krispy Kreme, Plunkert's work has earned him recognition as one of the most innovative illustrators. The Visual Communi-gator shows his uniquely engaging vision through a variety of illustrations and studies, including a recent digital piece created for #COMBATCOVID, the city-wide public art campaign of Poster House in New York City.
Upcoming exhibitions
Paul Briggs
Paul S. Briggs–Cell Personae: The Impact of Incarceration on Black Lives
March 24 – April 24, 2021
Marsh Gallery
Eskenazi Hall
Through his arresting sculptural ceramics, Paul Briggs confronts the far-reaching impact of incarceration on Black lives. Briggs brings a background in social justice advocacy as a former Baptist minister to inform his work, realizing the inherent physicality of clay and its expressive potential. In view of the fact that disproportionately Black Americans populate our prisons, his sculptures are an attempt to uncover the wider impact of incarceration that deeply damages not only those imprisoned, but also their families, and the ability of both to participate in a democratic life after incarceration.
The work found in Cell Personae was made possible by the voters of Minnesota through a grant from the Southeastern Minnesota Arts Council thanks to a legislative appropriation from the Arts & Cultural Heritage Fund and appears here courtesy of Friedman Benda, New York, N.Y. The Herron Galleries presentation is made possible, in part, by the Creative Motif Fund, N.Y.
Creativity vs. COVID: Ending the Pandemic for Good
A Virtual Exhibition
March 24 – May 9, 2021
Since the beginning of the COVID-19 pandemic, researchers at universities and other publicly funded institutions have been working to develop tests, treatments and vaccines to better protect us and ease the public health crisis. An international collective of university students, artists and activists has also worked to ensure that these treatments are available to everyone. This innovative, virtual exhibition shares the compelling creative work of the Free the Vaccine for COVID-19 campaign – from poster designs to viral parody music videos. In doing so, it introduces audiences to key issues that limit access to medicine and provides robust methods that anyone can use to advocate for change from anywhere, especially at this time of social distancing.
Creativity vs. COVID is organized by Associate Professor Laura Holzman, Public Scholar of Curatorial Practices and Visual Art, IUPUI.Thank you
Herron's artist-in-residence program is made possible with support through CityWay, a luxury mixed-use community located in downtown Indianapolis.
Parking is free on levels 5 and 6 of the Riverwalk Garage, courtesy of The Great Frame Up Indianapolis, with validation from the Herron galleries.
In-kind support is provided by Sun King Brewing.
