Presence and Absence: The Space Between | Curated by Indira Frietas Johnson

Presence and Absence: The Space Between explores the dual reality of death—the physical disappearance of those we love and the enduring emotional, spiritual, and cultural traces they leave behind. Through sculpture, painting, performance, and participatory installations, the exhibition brings together fragile and enduring materials to reflect on memory, loss, and the tension between impermanence and our human desire to hold on. Rather than viewing death as an ending, the exhibition considers it as a connective force between past, present, and future, inviting visitors to reflect on legacy, remembrance, and the ways we remain present even in our absence

Indira Freitas Johnson is a sculptor, cultural worker, peace activist, and educator whose work explores the intersection of art, community, and social change. Born in Mumbai, India, Johnson received her MFA from the School of the Art Institute of Chicago. Her work has been exhibited nationally and internationally and is included in collections such as the Library of Congress, the Museum of Contemporary Art Chicago, and the Rhode Island School of Design Museum. She is the recipient of numerous grants and awards, including the Illinois Governor’s Award for the Arts, and in 2013 was named Chicagoan of the Year.

Exhibit on view July 6 – August 2, 2026