Contemporary Art

Wolfgang Laib (Germany, born 1950). Pollen from Hazelnut. 1995-1996. Hazelnut pollen. Henry Art Gallery, gift of William and Ruth True with additional funds from Rebecca and Alexander Stewart and the Henry Gallery Association Collections Committee, 2002.2.1-4. Copyright Wolfgang Laib. [installation view in Pollen and Paint: Laib, Homer, and the Natural World at the Henry, 2012.] Photo: R.J. Sánchez.

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Our online resources are the best way to explore the 25,000+ objects in our permanent collection. Use the search fields above to dig deeper into the Henry’s online collections database. Over 90 percent of our collection has been digitized and ready for you to discover.

The Henry is focused on building a multidisciplinary collection of contemporary art. Our contemporary collection includes installations, video, and sculpture as well as paintings and works on paper. As we look to grow the collection, we consider how new pieces will function within the greater collection and how they will harmoniously integrate.
To seek a diversity of medium, as well as a diversity of artists, we look ahead to emerging trends in contemporary art and culture for works that identify with the multiplicity of voices and resonate with the practices of a particular time period.
The generosity of William and Ruth True, Steven Johnson and Walter Sudol, and Jane and Burt Berman, in particular, has made a great impact on the collection.

Katinka Bock (Germany/France, born 1976). Henry.

2014. Zinc ribbon and ball. Commissioned by the Henry Art Gallery, purchased with funds from Carol M. Dauber, in honor of Luis Croquer and in memory of Jean Detre, and from the Ambrose M. and Viola H. Patterson Endowment Fund, 2014.214. [installation view in Katinka Bock: A and I at the Henry, 2014.] Photo: R.J. Sánchez.

Dora García (Spain/Belgium, born 1965). La Lección Respiratoria (The Breathing Lesson).

2001. Single-channel video (color, with sound); Duration: 16 minutes. Henry Contemporaries Acquisition Fund purchase, 2002.3.

Doris Totten Chase (U.S., 1923-2008). Circles II [video still].

1972. Single-channel video (color, with sound); Duration: 7:43 minutes. Henry Art Gallery, gift of Randall J. Chase and Gregory T. Chase, 2017.46. Image courtesy of Randall J. Chase.

Gary Hill (U.S., born 1951). Tall Ships [video still].

1992. Sixteen-channel video installation (no sound). Henry Art Gallery, gift of The Lannan Foundation, 96.115. Copyright Gary Hill (1992).

Kori Newkirk (U.S., born 1970). Empire

2003-2003. Plastic pony beads, micro braids, and aluminum. Henry Art Gallery, purchased with funds provided by Rebecca and Alexander Stewart, 2003.7.

<p>Nayland Blake. <i>Negative Bunny</i> [video still]. 1994. VHS video tape; Duration: 30 minutes. Henry Art Gallery, gift from the Collection of Steven Johnson and Walter Sudol, 2007.69. Copyright Nayland Blake, Courtesy Matthew Marks Gallery.</p>

Nayland Blake (U.S., born 1960). Negative Bunny [video still].

1994. VHS video tape (color, with sound); Duration: 30 minutes. Henry Art Gallery, gift from the collection of Steven Johnson and Walter Sudol, 2007.69. Copyright Nayland Blake. Courtesy Matthew Marks Gallery.

<p> David Hartt. <em>Kiosk</em>. 2011. Archival pigment print mounted to Dibond. Courtesy of the artist and Corbett vs. Dempsey, Chicago.</p>

David Hartt (Canada, born 1967). Kiosk at The Johnson Publishing Company Headquarters, Chicago, Illinois

2011. Inkjet print. Henry Art Gallery, purchased with funds from Edie Adams. 2014.1.

Candice Breitz (South Africa/Germany, born 1971). Diorama (Miami Version).

2002. Nine-channel video installation (with sound). Henry Art Gallery, gift of William and Ruth True, originally commissioned by Artpace, A Foundation for Contemporary Art | San Antonio, 2012.8. [installation view in Selections from the Collection in Conjunction with Cherdonna Shinatra at the Henry, 2017.] Photo: Mark Woods.

Amanda Ross-Ho (U.S., born 1975). Camera (Aerial View).

2008. Mirrored security dome and acrylic on canvas panel. Henry Art Gallery, Acquisition Fund Purchase, 2011.15. [installation view in The Time. The Place. Contemporary Art from the Collection at the Henry, 2017.] Photo: Jonathan Vanderweit.