American Revolutionaries: Art & Disruption

July 2, 2022 – Spring 2023

SHOW DATES: July 2 — May 31, 2023

Gallery Hours:
Sundays NOON-5 PM
Tuesday through Saturday – 10 AM – 5 PM

Peoria Riverfront Museum

In partnership with Art Bridges.

Disruption is the firebrand nature of great American artists who seek to advance truth by rattling the status quo with new modes of expression and new windows into understanding the American condition.

In the largest-scale collaboration to date with philanthropist Alice Walton’s Art Bridges, “American Revolutionaries” represents the first loan of a curated art grouping from her foundation’s collection. Known as “Grouping J,” the foundation’s dozen major works are integrated into the exhibition with works from the Peoria Riverfront Museum’s Permanent Collection and other private loans.

Never before has central Illinois had first-hand access to such an extensive variety of important American artworks in one gallery.

Grouping J represents a disparate yet compelling assembly of American artworks spanning 166 years from 1854 to 2020. These works, examples of some of the most significant artists in the nation’s history, examine an extraordinary range of aesthetic and socio-political content.

Beginning with the nostalgic work of painter and Currier and Ives illustrator GEORGE HENRY DURRIE, who was instrumental in creating the most indelible images of early American life, the subject of America as a new land of prosperity is created. From famed Abstract Expressionist expatriate PHILIP GUSTON to groundbreaking Feminist artist JUDY CHICAGO to painter ALFRED CONTEH, who rediscovers the identities of his African American subjects, the works in this grouping illuminate the story of America’s relentless drive toward the betterment of art and society.

Ultimately, this exhibition provides myriad opportunities to teach our community about the topics, both broad and specific, which carved the identity of American art and America itself.

ARTISTS

Featuring the works of Judy Chicago, Alfred Conteh, Stuart Davis, George Henry Durrie, Sanford Robinson Gifford, Arshile Gorky, Philip Guston, David Hammon, Childe Hassam, Luis Alfonso Jimenez, Alex Katz, John Frederick Kensett, Augustus Saint-Gaudens, Henrietta Mary Shore & Jack Whitten.

SPONSORS

The Peoria presentation is made possible by Art Bridges Foundation.

Sponsored locally by Visionary Society & Illinois Arts Council Agency.