The Allen Memorial Art Museum at Oberlin College will present a major retrospective of the acclaimed artist June Leaf, titled “June Leaf: Shooting from the Heart.” This exhibition marks the first comprehensive presentation of Leaf’s work in over 30 years, featuring nearly 100 pieces spanning seven decades and encompassing paintings, sculptures, prints, drawings, and collages. The show opens at the Allen on January 27, 2026, and will be on view through May 24, 2026, serving as the final venue for the exhibition and a return to the Midwest for the Chicago-native artist.

“Shooting from the Heart” traces Leaf’s prolific career from the late 1940s through 2023, drawing from her archive as well as private and institutional collections. The exhibition aims to bring renewed critical attention to the genre-defying artist, who passed away in 2024 at the age of 94. Curated by Allison Kemmerer and Gordon Wilkins of the Addison Gallery and Sam Adams of the Allen Memorial Art Museum, the exhibition highlights Leaf’s unique ability to navigate the real and imagined with striking kinetic sculptures and densely layered paintings.

The exhibition has previously been shown at the Addison Gallery of American Art and the Grey Art Museum. A fully illustrated catalogue featuring reflections by artists Joan Jonas and Kara Walker accompanies the show. All exhibitions and events at the Allen Memorial Art Museum are free and open to the public.

Source: ingest/pressrelease/TheAllen_Press Release_June Leaf.pdf