Modern and contemporary art is an area of growth for The Block collection, reflecting the museum’s commitment to diverse perspectives that resonate with Northwestern’s research strengths and commitment to global engagement. This aspect of the collection builds on traditional strengths by focusing on photography, printmaking, and works on paper, with fewer examples of painting, sculpture, and time-based work. The Block holds and will continue to acquire work by North American artists from diverse backgrounds as well as artists based in or originating from Africa, the African Diaspora, the Americas, the Middle East, Europe, Southeast Asia, India, and Turkey.
Highlights include works by Vahap Avşar, Dawoud Bey, Enrique Chagoya, Omar Victor Diop, Shan Goshorn, Candida Höfer, Admire Kamudzengerere and Rachel Monosov, Shirin Neshat, Deborah Roberts, Dario Robleto, Federico Solmi, Hank Willis Thomas, Tseng Kwong Chi, and Carrie Mae Weems, among others.
