Bisa Butler
In my work, I am telling the story— this African American side— of the American life. History is the story of men and women, but the narrative is controlled by those who hold the pen.
My community has been marginalized for hundreds of years. While we have been right beside our white counterparts experiencing and creating history, our contributions and perspectives have been ignored, unrecorded, and lost. It is only a few years ago that it was acknowledged that the White House was built by slaves. Right there in the seat of power of our country African Americans were creating and contributing while their names were lost to history.
My subjects are African Americans from ordinary walks of life who may have sat for a formal family portrait or may have been documented by a passing photographer. Like the builders of the White House, they have no names or captions to tell us who they were.
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The Warmth Of Other Sons (detail)

The Warmth Of Other Sons

The Warmth Of Other Sons (detail)

The Warmth Of Other Sons (detail)

The Warmth Of Other Sons (detail)

Africa The Land Of Hope and Promise For Negro People's of the World (detail)

Africa The Land Of Hope and Promise For Negro People's of the World

Asantewa

Asantewa (deatil)

The Storm, The Whirlwind, and the Earthquake (detail)

The Storm, The Whirlwind, and the Earthquake

Daughter Of The Dust

Daughter Of The Dust (detail)

I Am Not Your Negro (detail)

I Am Not Your Negro

Zouave

Zouave (detail)

Wangari Maathai (for TIME Magazine)

The Equestrian

Broom Jumpers

To God and Truth

To God And Truth - detail (in progress)

Kindred

Dear Mama

Dear Mama (detail)

The Mighty Gents

The Mighty Gents (detail)

Collector House Interview

Three Kings

Three Kings (detail)

the artist discusses her work

The Princess

Les Sapeurs

Les Sapeurs (detail)
Public Collections:
- Museum of Fine Arts, Boston, MA
- Art Institute of Chicago, IL
- Newark Museum of Art, NJ
- Orlando Museum of Art, FL
- Minneapolis Institute of Art, MN
- Kemper Museum of Contemporary Art, Kansas City, MO
- Mount Holyoke Art Museum, Hadley, MA
- Nelson-Atkins Museum of Art, Kansas City, MO
- 21c Museum of Art, Louisville, KY
- Smithsonian American Art Museum, Renwick Gallery *work in progress
- National Museum for African American History and Culture
(Smithsonian Institution Museum) *work in progress
Selected Solo Exhibitions:
- Bisa Butler, Art Institute of Chicago, IL, 2020
- Bisa Butler, Katonah Museum of Art, NY, 2020
- “The Storm, The Whirlwind & The Earthquake” Claire Oliver Gallery, NYC, NY · 2020
- The Lawrence Art Center, Lawrence KS· 2017
- Richard Beavers Art Gallery, Brooklyn NY · 2016
- Firehouse Gallery, Valley Arts, Orange, NJ · 2015
- Domareki Gallery, Maplewood, NJ · 2015
- NEWARK Academy, Livingston NJ · 2015
- Hearne fine art, Faces in Many Places · 2015
- Morristown Courthouse, Morristown NJ · 2015
- Quilt Me A Story, Bloomfield College, NJ · 2008
- Astahs Fine Art Gallery, Maplewood NJ · 2008
- Home of Lonnie Austin show, solo exhibit · 2008
- Organic Soul, NJ · 2006
- Essex County College, Newark, NJ · 2004
- Essex County College, Newark NJ · 2003
Selected Group Exhibitions:
- Burke Prize Exhibition, Museum of Arts and Design, NY 2020
- 1-54 Contemporary African Art Fair, Claire Oliver Gallery, London 2019
- EXPO Chicago, Claire Oliver Gallery, Chicago IL 2019
- Every Fiber of My Being, The University of Hartford, Joseloff Gallery, 2019
- Plumb Line: Charles White and the Contemporary, California African American Museum, 2019
- On Their Own Terms, Windgate Center of Art and Design, AK, 2019
- Fashioning The Black Body, curated by Dario Calmese, St, Louis MO, 2019
- PULSE Contemporary Art Fair Miami, Claire Oliver Gallery, 2018
- EXPO Chicago, Claire Oliver Gallery, Chicago IL · 2018
- PULSE Miami, Claire Oliver Gallery, Miami Beach FL · 2017
- Howard University Alumni group exhibit, The Long Gallery, Harlem USA · 2017
- The Kinsey Collection, group exhibition, Hong Kong University, Hong Kong, China · 2017
- Guerillas in the Midst group exhibit, Rush Arts Gallery Philadelphia, PA · 2016
- East Orange is The New Black, group exhibition, Manufacturers Village, East Orange, NJ · 2016
- Ubuntutu, Quilts dedicated to Bishop a Desmond Tutu, group exhibition Organized by Michigan State College, Nelson Mandela Gateway Museum, Robben Island, Capetown, South Africa, Stellenbosch University, Pretoria, S.A · 2016
- Kingsborough Community College, solo exhibit · 2016
- Diaspora Now, group exhibit organized by Ms. Lauryn Hill, The Kings Theatre, Brooklyn, NY · 2016
- Thelma Harris Fine Art, a group exhibit, Color! , Oakland, CA · 2015
- Arkansas Art Center, 30 Americans Exhibit, Little Rock, Arkansas · 2015
- Thelma Harris Fine Art, White Linen Nights, group show, Oakland, CA · 2014
- International Quilt Convention in Africa, Women of Color Quilters Network, Johannesburg, South Africa · 2014
- Atlanta History Center, The Kinsey Collection, Atlanta, Georgia · 2014
- Art in the Atrium, Morristown Courthouse, Morristown NJ · 2014
- Evo-Lu-TION exhibit and calendar at Hearne Fine Art, Little Rock. AK · 2013
- The Harvey B. Gantt Center, Wells Fargo Presents: The Kinsey Collection, Charlotte, NC · 2013
- The Reginald Lewis Museum, Wells Fargo Presents: The Kinsey Collection, Baltimore, MD · 2013
- The Museum of the African Diaspora, San Francisco, The Kinsey Collection · 2013
- And Still, We Rise, National Underground Railroad Freedom Center, Cincinnati, OH · 2013
- Art on the Atrium, Morristown Courthouse, Morristown NJ · 2013
- DR Greenway Land Trust, Marie Matthews gallery · 2013
- Solos House Gallery, Newark NJ, egregious errors of splendor · 2013
- Epcot Center, Walt Disney World, The Kinsey Collection · 2013-16
- The Charles Wright Museum, Detroit, Michigan, World African Heritage Festival · 2012
- D&R Greenway land trust, NJ · 2012
- The San Antonio Museum of Art, San Antonio Collects · 2011
- Smithsonian Museum of American Art, African American Art Gallery, Shared Treasures, the Collection of Bernard and Shirley Kinsey · 2010
- The Journey of Hope in America; Quilts Inspired by President Barack Obama, opens at The National African American Museum, Wilberforce Ohio, Japan International Quilt Festival, Yokohama, Japan · 2010-13
- Textural Rhythms: Quilting the Jazz Tradition, Curated by Dr. Carolyn Mazloomi, traveling show, American Folk Art Museum, New York, Museum of Texas Tech, Lubbock, Texas, the Reginald Lewis Museum, Baltimore, MD, the Kings Art Complex, Columbus, OH · 2009-11
- Quilts For Obama, Washington Historical Society, Washington, D.C · 2009
- Quilting Together Our Heritage, Bisa Butler and Phyllis Stephens, Chattanooga African American Museum · 2009
- Seeing Jazz a tribute to the masters, Manchester Craftsmen Guild Group Show Pittsburgh, PA · 2009
- New York Black Fine Art Show, Hearne Fine Art · 2009
- Harlem Sewn Up, group show, The Dwyer Cultural Center, Harlem, NYC · 2009
- Festival of the Seas, Cruise ship art show hosted by Hearne Fine Art · 2009
- Two Decades of Hearne Fine Art, Group Show, Chattanooga African American Museum · 2009
- National Black Fine Art Show, New York · 2008
- Quilting African American Women’s History, curated by Dr. Carolyn Mazloomi, The National Afro American Museum and Cultural Center, Wilberforce, OH · 2008
- Group exhibit Daughters of the Diaspora, Hearne Fine Art Gallery, Little Rock Arkansas · 2008
- Sisters and Friends Art Show, Bloomington, IL · 2008
- Mason Murer Fine Art, Atlanta, GA · 2008
- Sisters of the Diaspora, Hearne Fine · 2008
- Storytellers Quilters retreat, featured artist, CT · 2008
- Treasures of the Silk Road University of Pennsylvania Museum of Art and Architecture trade show · 2008
- Face to Face, three-person show Gallery 1978, Maplewood Arts Center, Maplewood, New Jersey · 2008
- The Kinsey Collection, touring exhibition, The California African American Museum, Los Angeles California, The DuSable Museum of History, Chicago, IL, The Norton Museum of Art, West Palm Beach Florida, The California Museum, Sacramento, CA, The Mary Brogan Museum of Art and Science, Tallahassee, FL · 2008
- The African American Museum of Philadelphia, Warm Spirits Art, Little Rock, Arkansas · 2008
- Group show Astah’s Art Gallery, Maplewood, NJ · 2006
- Parallels and Intersections quilts curated by Dr. Carolyn Mazloomi, The International Freedom Center, OH · 2006
- The Graham Collection, Washington, D.C. · 2005
- Pictorial Quilt Exhibit, Macon Museum of Art, GA · 2005
- Southwest Art Center Exhibitor, GA · 2005
- E and S Gallery exhibitor, Louisville, KY · 2005
- Group exhibit at The Pingry School, Martinsville, NJ · 2005
- Hearne Fine Art 2-person show, Little Rock, AK · 2005
- The home of Moses and Caroline Chadwick, CA · 2005
- Sienna Visions group exhibit, Plainfield, NJ · 2005
- Dwellings Home Décor, Washington D.C. solo show · 2005
- Group exhibit C.C Kabaka’s creations, Philadelphia PA · 2005
- International Collectors Show, Atlanta GA · 2005
- The Graham Collection Group show, Washington, D.C · 2005
- Avisca Fine Art, Atlanta, GA Group show · 2005
- Baltimore Black Art Expo Exhibitor, Baltimore, MD · 2004
- Hearne Fine Art Group Show, AK · 2004
- National Black Fine Art Show, New York · 2004
- The Graham Collection, D.C. Group exhibit · 2004
- October Gallery exhibitor, Philadelphia, PA · 2004
- Loft Home art and Design, Atlanta GA solo exhibit · 2004
- Philadelphia International Art · 2004
- Transcultural Art exhibit, 4 person show, The Bergen Museum, NJ · 2004
- Newark Open Doors Tour, Symphony Hall, Newark NJ · 2004
- Savacou Art Gallery exhibitor, NY, NY · 2004
- October Gallery featured artist, Philadelphia, PA · 2003
- Newark Open Doors Studio Tour – WISOMM Mansion, Newark, NJ · 2003
- Philadelphia International Art Expo exhibitor · 2003
- Best new artist The Coalition of 100 Black Women Philadelphia chapter · 2003
- Savacou Gallery Art exhibitor, New York · 2003
- Unique Home Art Gallery solo exhibit, Plainfield, NJ · 2003

Press
A Vibrant Perspective: A Review of Bisa Butler at the Art Institute
NewCity ART
January 4, 2021

Press
Bisa Butler’s Portrait of Porche Bennet-Bay TIME Magazine’s Guardian of the Year
FAD Magazine
December 21, 2020

Press
New & Noteworthy Visual Books, From Boxing to Hollywood Candids
The New York Times
December 15, 2020

Press
An Eye-Opening Exhibition in Ohio Looks at the Role of Quilting in Radical American Social Movements
artnet news
December 2, 2020

Press
‘Radical Tradition: American Quilts and Social Change’ Opens at Toledo Museum of Art
ARTFIX daily
November 23, 2020

Press
Bisa Butler stitches together portraits of Black American life
Chicago READER
November 11, 2020

Museum & Institutional News
Bisa Butler: Portraits
The Art Institute of Chicago
November 8, 2020 - April 18, 2021

Press
Bisa Butler is Giving Identity, History, and Legacy Back Through Quilting
Whitewall Magazine
November 5, 2020

Museum & Institutional News
Newark Museum Acquires Major Work by Contemporary Black Artist Bisa Butler
The Newark Museum of Art
October 8, 2020

Press
Studio Visit: Rising Textile Art Star Bisa Butler on How to Use Fabric Like Paint and the Kind of Art She Finds Irredeemably Boring
artnet news
September 22, 2020

Press
Stitching Together History: The Incredible Work of Bisa Butler
Ever Widening Circles
September 5, 2020

Press
Artist Bisa Butler Stitches Together the African American Experiance
The Smithsonian Magazine
July 24, 2020

Press
Bisa Butler Summons Black History In Her Quilted Arts to Motivate the Fight for Black Lives
OKAYAFRICA
June 22, 2020

Press
Claire Oliver Gallery launches limited edition poster series called Art is for Everyone
FAD Magazine
June 18, 2020

Press
The best shows you haven’t seen Yet Museums extend exhibitions through summer
lohud
June 16, 2020

Press
See Her, Support Her: Five Modern Black Female Artists Who Are Redefining the Art World
Martha Stewart
June 15, 2020

Press
Quilted Portraits Honor the Stories of Black Men and Women Who Are Forgotten by History
My Modern Met
June 10, 2020

Museum & Institutional News
Bisa Butler: Portraits
Katonah Museum of Art, Katonah NY
March 15, 2020 - October 4, 2020

Press
Depth, History, and Reverence: The Intricacies of Bisa Butler’s Quilted Portraits
VOGUE
March 3, 2020

Press
Vibrant Quilts Honor Black Men and Women Whose Stories Were Forgotten or Overlooked
My Modern Met
February 6, 2020

Press
#BlackGirlMagic: Art Institute of Chicago Acquires New Work
The Chicago Maroon
October 27, 2019

Museum & Institutional News
Bisa Butler discusses her work @ New Paradigms: #BlackGirlMagic
The Art Institute of Chicago
October 22, 2019

Press
Textile art inspired by vintage photographs of African Americans
The Guardian
October 19, 2019

Museum & Institutional News
Bisa Butler featured in “Every Fiber of My Being” @ The Joseloff Gallery
University of Hartford, Hartford CT
October 10, 2019 - November 7, 2019

Museum & Institutional News
Bisa Butler announced as a finalist, Museum of Arts and Design BUKRE Prize
Museum of Arts and Design
October 3, 2019 - April 12, 2020

Press
Everything You Need to Know About the 7 Fairs Taking Over London During Frieze Week 2019
artnet news
September 30, 2019

Press
One of the world’s largest celebrations of contemporary African art is back
CREATIVE BOOM
September 11, 2019

Museum & Institutional News
A conversation with artist Bisa Bulter @ 21c Cincinnati
21c Museum - Cincinnati
August 30, 2019

Museum & Institutional News
Bisa Butler: “Safety Patrol” acquired by the The Art Institute of Chicago
The Art Institute of Chicago
July 1, 2019

Press
Colorful Quilts Crafted from African Fabrics Tell Stories of Artist’s Ancestral Homeland
My Modern Met
March 9, 2019

Museum & Institutional News
Plumb Line: Charles White and the Contemporary @ California African American Museum
California African American Museum
March 8, 2019 - August 25, 2019

Museum & Institutional News
On Their Own Terms @ Windgate Center of Art and Design
Windgate Center of Art + Design
January 17, 2019 - March 10, 2019

Press
Art Basel Miami: how this year’s fair aims to increase diversity
The Guardian
December 4, 2018

Press
Expo Chicago 2018: See it now features Claire Oliver Gallery
Chicago READER
September 29, 2018

Press
All the Art You Need to See at This Year’s Massive EXPO CHICAGO
Chicago Observer
September 28, 2018

Museum & Institutional News
BISA BUTLER: Represent
The Art Institute of Chicago