CHICAGO – Built on the traditional homeland of the Sauk, Fox, and Potawatomi peoples, Chicago’s identity is deeply intertwined with its immigrant population. A mere 13 years after its incorporation in 1837, over half of the city’s residents were born abroad, drawn from across Europe and Asia. Today, immigrants comprise 18 percent of chicago’s 1.7 million residents.

The newly renovated Intuit Art Museum is honoring this heritage with its inaugural exhibition, Catalyst: Im/migration and Self-Taught Art in Chicago. The exhibition brings together 22 artists connected to the city, presenting 75 works in various mediums. It shines a light on artists who developed their practices in the Midwest, outside the confines of traditional art world structures.

Intuit Art Museum has a long history of supporting self-taught artists. Since its founding in 1991, the museum has celebrated the important creative contributions of individuals working outside the mainstream due to various social and economic barriers.

One notable example is Henry Darger, who worked as a hospital custodian and secretly created a vast collection of drawings, watercolors, and collages. Darger’s work now commands high prices, but his story is exceptional. Self-taught artists often struggle to achieve the same recognition as their formally trained counterparts.

Exhibition Highlights Immigrant Experiences

Catalyst arrives at a crucial time,as immigrants in the U.S. face increasing challenges. By showcasing works with diverse themes and artistic approaches, the exhibition weaves together a contemporary narrative of those shaping Chicago’s cultural identity as the mid-20th century. The show aims to highlight “artists deserving of greater attention,while posing questions about access to the art world and how art comes to be defined and valued,” according to a museum statement.

The exhibition features four meticulously detailed paintings by Drossos P. Skyllas (1912-1973), an Ottoman-born artist renowned for his captivating hyperrealistic portraits.carlos Barbarena employs a similar dedication to precision in his portraiture. The Nicaraguan artist’s linocuts depict instances of trauma and resilience,framing figures with intricate floral designs that convey compassion and resistance.

Sculptures utilizing found objects and mixed media are also prominently featured. Charles Warner‘s soaring miniature cathedral, for instance, reimagines the sacred spaces of his Prussian childhood through carved wood and vibrant paint. Alfonso “Piloto” Nieves Ruiz presents a figurative assemblage of the Statue of Liberty.Titled “In the name of progress,” Piloto’s rendition complicates the symbol of freedom with a torso of unidentified hands and soil at its base.

understanding Self-Taught Art

self-taught art, also known as outsider art or art brut, encompasses works created by individuals without formal artistic training. These artists are frequently enough driven by personal visions and experiences, resulting in unique and unconventional styles. Their work provides valuable insights into diverse perspectives and challenges traditional notions of artistic skill and value.

Catalyst will remain on view through January 11, 2026.