Illumination

Exhibition

Exhibition Overview

Illumination
Illumination
Kris Ercums, curator
Gallery 407, Spencer Museum of Art, University of Kansas, Lawrence, Kansas

This exhibition explores the concept of illumination, both as light and knowledge. By contrasting works associated with light and those conjuring darkness, Illumination seeks to expand awareness about the hidden and obscured.

Exhibition images

Works of art

Raqs Media Collective (founded 1992), रात दिन दिन रात (Rāta-Dina, Dina- Rāta) Night & Day, Day & Night
Raqs Media Collective (founded 1992), रात दिन दिन रात (Rāta-Dina, Dina- Rāta) Night & Day, Day & Night
Raqs Media Collective
रात दिन दिन रात (Rāta-Dina, Dina- Rāta) Night & Day, Day & Night
2015
U Sunok (1958–2023), The Moon
U Sunok (1958–2023), The Moon
U Sunok
The Moon
2006–2011
Luis Alfonso Jimenez (1940–2006), Howl
Luis Alfonso Jimenez (1940–2006), Howl
Luis Alfonso Jimenez
Howl
1986
Frederick John Eversley (1941–2025), Pale Lens
Frederick John Eversley (1941–2025), Pale Lens
Frederick John Eversley
Pale Lens
1970
Bruce Beasley (born 1939), Tigibus
Bruce Beasley (born 1939), Tigibus
Bruce Beasley
Tigibus
1968
Lisa Grossman (born 1967), Navigating
Lisa Grossman (born 1967), Navigating
Lisa Grossman
Navigating
2018
Jacopo Palma il Giovane (circa 1548–1628), Christ in Gethsemane
Jacopo Palma il Giovane (circa 1548–1628), Christ in Gethsemane
Jacopo Palma il Giovane
Christ in Gethsemane
circa 1590–1605
Ernst Prophète (born 1950, active 1960s–present), but...I dreamt
Ernst Prophète (born 1950, active 1960s–present), but...I dreamt
Ernst Prophète
but...I dreamt
circa 1975
Jane Bunker (born 1945), Genesis
Jane Bunker (born 1945), Genesis
Jane Bunker
Genesis
2005
Gustave Courbet (1819–1877), Soleil Couchant, Marine
Gustave Courbet (1819–1877), Soleil Couchant, Marine
Gustave Courbet
Soleil Couchant, Marine
1865 or 1869
Jim Dine (born 1935), Two Boys Looking
Jim Dine (born 1935), Two Boys Looking
Jim Dine
Two Boys Looking
2006
Franz Ludwig Catel (1778–1856), Nuns in the Certosa Cloister, overlooking a Moonlit Sea towards the Faraglioni, Capri
Franz Ludwig Catel (1778–1856), Nuns in the Certosa Cloister, overlooking a Moonlit Sea towards the Faraglioni, Capri
Franz Ludwig Catel
Nuns in the Certosa Cloister, overlooking a Moonlit Sea towards the Faraglioni, Capri
circa 1823
Richard Lindner (1901–1978), untitled
Richard Lindner (1901–1978), untitled
Richard Lindner
untitled
1956
Penius Leriche (born 1940), Woman Leading a Blind Man
Penius Leriche (born 1940), Woman Leading a Blind Man
Penius Leriche
Woman Leading a Blind Man
circa 1970
Meissen Porcelain Factory (active 1710–present), Blindfolded Cupid
Meissen Porcelain Factory (active 1710–present), Blindfolded Cupid
Meissen Porcelain Factory
Blindfolded Cupid
1800s
Albert Bierstadt (1830–1902), Sunset on the Plains
Albert Bierstadt (1830–1902), Sunset on the Plains
Albert Bierstadt
Sunset on the Plains
circa 1887
Rombout van Troyen (1605–1656), The Burning of Troy
Rombout van Troyen (1605–1656), The Burning of Troy
Rombout van Troyen
The Burning of Troy
early 1600s–mid 1600s
fireplace grill
fireplace grill
fireplace grill
1500s
Elihu Vedder (1836–1923); Chelsea Tile Works, Soul of the Sunflower
Elihu Vedder (1836–1923); Chelsea Tile Works, Soul of the Sunflower
Elihu Vedder , Chelsea Tile Works
Soul of the Sunflower
1882
The Annunciation roundel
The Annunciation roundel
The Annunciation roundel
circa 1500
Judith holding the head of Holofernes
Judith holding the head of Holofernes
Judith holding the head of Holofernes
1563
Cenni di Francesco di Ser Cenni (active 1369–1415), Madonna and Child
Cenni di Francesco di Ser Cenni (active 1369–1415), Madonna and Child
Cenni di Francesco di Ser Cenni
Madonna and Child
circa 1410–1415
Ward Lockwood (1894–1963), The Possessors
Ward Lockwood (1894–1963), The Possessors
Ward Lockwood
The Possessors
circa 1960
Sassetta (circa 1400–1450), Madonna and Child with Saints
Sassetta (circa 1400–1450), Madonna and Child with Saints
Sassetta
Madonna and Child with Saints
late 1400s
Beatrice Wood (1893–1998), chalice
Beatrice Wood (1893–1998), chalice
Beatrice Wood
chalice
1982
Philip James de Loutherbourg (1740–1812), A Shipwreck
Philip James de Loutherbourg (1740–1812), A Shipwreck
Philip James de Loutherbourg
A Shipwreck
circa 1770
Eric Pape (1870–1938), Sun Dappled Entrance, Egypt
Eric Pape (1870–1938), Sun Dappled Entrance, Egypt
Eric Pape
Sun Dappled Entrance, Egypt
1891
Carl Spitzweg (1808–1885), Moonlit Scene with Castle Ruins
Carl Spitzweg (1808–1885), Moonlit Scene with Castle Ruins
Carl Spitzweg
Moonlit Scene with Castle Ruins
mid-late 1800s
Albert Y. Wong (born 1947), untitled
Albert Y. Wong (born 1947), untitled
Albert Y. Wong
untitled
1974
Claude Buck (1890–1974), The Conqueror Worm
Claude Buck (1890–1974), The Conqueror Worm
Claude Buck
The Conqueror Worm
1920
William Fleming (active 1940s–1950s), We Who Are About to Die
William Fleming (active 1940s–1950s), We Who Are About to Die
William Fleming
We Who Are About to Die
1946
Frederick Stuart Church (1842–1924), Blossom and Decay
Frederick Stuart Church (1842–1924), Blossom and Decay
Frederick Stuart Church
Blossom and Decay
1880s
Taro Izumi (born 1976), Napoléon
Taro Izumi (born 1976), Napoléon
Taro Izumi
Napoléon
2009
Lilly Martin Spencer (1822–1902), Baby Chicks
Lilly Martin Spencer (1822–1902), Baby Chicks
Lilly Martin Spencer
Baby Chicks
1886
Irene Tsosie, sand painting depicting sun and eagle
Irene Tsosie, sand painting depicting sun and eagle
Irene Tsosie
sand painting depicting sun and eagle
late 1900s–1994
Giovanni Battista Crosato (circa 1697–1758), Christ Brought Before Pilate
Giovanni Battista Crosato (circa 1697–1758), Christ Brought Before Pilate
Giovanni Battista Crosato
Christ Brought Before Pilate
circa 1720–1730
Neha Choksi (born 1973), Iceboat
Neha Choksi (born 1973), Iceboat
Neha Choksi
Iceboat
2012–2013
Nuremberg armorial stained glass roundel
Nuremberg armorial stained glass roundel
Nuremberg armorial stained glass roundel
1564
landsknecht (mercenary soldier)
landsknecht (mercenary soldier)
landsknecht (mercenary soldier)
circa 1600
Artist Unknown, Optometrist sign
Artist Unknown, Optometrist sign
Artist Unknown
Optometrist sign
circa 1910
Sanford Robinson Gifford (1823–1880), Morning in the Adirondacks
Sanford Robinson Gifford (1823–1880), Morning in the Adirondacks
Sanford Robinson Gifford
Morning in the Adirondacks
1867
standing warrior holding a lance
standing warrior holding a lance
standing warrior holding a lance
circa 1700
Ellen Lanyon (1926–2013), Poyet Projection
Ellen Lanyon (1926–2013), Poyet Projection
Ellen Lanyon
Poyet Projection
2000
Kuwata Takurō (born 1981), 茶碗 chawan (tea bowl)
Kuwata Takurō (born 1981), 茶碗 chawan (tea bowl)
Kuwata Takurō
茶碗 chawan (tea bowl)
2017
Wu Chi-Tsung (born 1981), Still Life 02 - Orchid
Wu Chi-Tsung (born 1981), Still Life 02 - Orchid
Wu Chi-Tsung
Still Life 02 - Orchid
2009

Events

January 21, 2023
Activity
Illuminating Warmth
1:00–4:00PM
Spencer Musem of Art, Kress Gallery, 409 Lee Study Center
February 19, 2023
Talk
Night & Day, Day & Night
2:00–3:00PM
Spencer Museum of Art, 407 Kress Gallery
June 22, 2023
Talk
Prairie/Prairie River
10:15–11:00AM
Spencer Museum of Art, 409 Lee Study Center
June 24, 2023
Activity
Medieval Times
1:00–4:00PM
Spencer Museum of Art, 407 Kress Gallery
October 29, 2023
Talk
The Conqueror Worm
2:00–3:00PM
Spencer Museum of Art, 407 Kress Gallery
October 29, 2023
Activity
The Conqueror Worm
3:00–4:00PM
Spencer Museum of Art, 407 Kress Gallery
February 29, 2024
Performance
Displacement and Identity: The Faces of Odysseus
5:30–7:00PM
Spencer Museum of Art
June 24, 2024
Activity
Imaginarium: Art Adventure @ KU’s Spencer Museum of Art
2:00–3:00PM
Spencer Museum of Art, 401 Loo Gallery, 405 Gallery, 406 Stewart Gallery, 407 Kress Gallery
September 8, 2024
Talk
Pale Lens
2:00–3:00PM
Spencer Museum of Art, 407 Kress Gallery
September 12, 2024
Social
Representation, Physical Expression, and Human Connection
4:00–6:00PM
Spencer Museum of Art, 1301 Mississippi St
October 20, 2024
Talk
The Conqueror Worm
2:00–3:00PM
Spencer Museum of Art, 407 Kress Gallery
December 19, 2024
Activity
Hearth and Home
3:00–4:00PM
December 19, 2024
Activity
Hearth and Home
5:30–6:30PM
April 27, 2025
Talk
We Who Are About to Die
2:00–3:00PM