NYU’s Grey Art Museum is set to host the exhibition “June Leaf: Shooting From the Heart,” a retrospective of the artist’s work, from September 9 to December 13. This exhibition marks the first comprehensive look at Leaf’s career in over three decades and will be held at the museum located at 18 Cooper Square.
The exhibition covers Leaf’s extensive career, which began in the 1940s and continued until her passing in 2024. Known for her figurative paintings, drawings, multimedia, and kinetic sculptures, Leaf was described by The New York Times as blending “expressionism and primitivism…with a childlike sense of play.”
Organized by Addison Gallery of American Art at Phillips Academy and Allen Memorial Art Museum at Oberlin College, with collaboration from Leaf herself, the exhibition is curated by Allison Kemmerer, Gordon Wilkins, and Sam Adams. It features works that highlight themes such as human drama, theater, dance, performance, motion, gender, and interpersonal relationships.
Michèle Wong, interim director of Grey Art Museum stated: “This exhibition is a unique opportunity to showcase the inventive creations of a singular artist who maintained several studios in Lower Manhattan for more than five decades.”
Born in Chicago in 1929 and having studied dance before turning to visual art at New Bauhaus (now Illinois Institute of Technology), Leaf eventually settled in New York City after time spent in Paris. Her artistic journey included creating characters and stories influenced by both external influences and her self-mythology.
Significant pieces on display include “The Vermeer Box” (1966) and “Two Women on a Jack” (2001). The exhibition also includes a catalogue co-published by Rizzoli Electa featuring essays by curators Adams, Kemmerer, Wilkins alongside contributions from artists Joan Jonas and Kara Walker.
Following its run at Grey Art Museum, “June Leaf: Shooting From the Heart” will move to Allen Memorial Art Museum on January 27 through May 24 next year. Admission details are available for NYU students as well as public visitors.
