COLLECTION HIGHLIGHTS

Midnight River

Oil on canvas, 1964

A moody landscape painted during the height of the American Abstract Expressionist movement. Benton used sweeping blue and black strokes to capture the movement of water under moonlight. The painting anchors the museum’s modernist holdings.
Harold Benton
American, 1928–2009

Ceremonial Vessel

Hand-carved clay, c. 800 CE

This earthenware vessel, decorated with geometric patterns, was used in ceremonial rituals. It reflects the intricate artistry of pre-Columbian cultures and stands as a testament to the enduring role of art in spiritual life.
Mesoamerica

Cityscape in Motion

Mixed media collage, 1987

Martínez layers photographs, newspapers, and acrylic paint to create a fragmented view of urban life in the late 20th century. Her work reflects themes of migration, adaptation, and cultural blending in modern cities
Alicia Martínez
Mexican-American, b. 1955

Aurora Rising

Bronze, 2005

Commissioned specifically for the Aurora Art Museum’s opening of its downtown wing, this abstract bronze sculpture greets visitors at the main entrance plaza. Its upward-sweeping form symbolizes growth, renewal, and the city’s evolving cultural identity.
Jean-Paul Fournier
French, b. 1969

Threads of Silence

Textile installation, 2010

Woven from indigo-dyed fabric strips, this large-scale hanging piece explores the absence of sound and communication. The shifting folds of fabric create shadow patterns that change with the gallery’s lighting, echoing the museum’s thematic interest in perception.
Mina Okada
Japanese, b. 1972

Self-Portrait

Oil on canvas, 1912

A rare example of early 20th-century female portraiture, Weiss’s self-portrait combines Expressionist brushwork with a stark, direct gaze. The work provides insight into women’s growing presence in the European avant-garde.
Clara Weiss
German, 1886–1932

Digital Landscape #4

Video projection with sound, 2018

An immersive new media installation that reimagines traditional landscape painting through generative algorithms. Kapoor’s piece continuously evolves, ensuring no two viewings are exactly alike.
Ravi Kapoor
Indian, b. 1984