The Block Museum of Art at Northwestern University presents "it takes a long time to stay here: Paintings by Jordan Ann Craig," the first major solo exhibition in the Midwest of work by Northern Cheyenne artist Jordan Ann Craig. Opening on Jan. 25, the exhibition will showcase seven large-scale abstract paintings displayed together for the first time.
Craig's bold, abstract practice blends innovative uses of color, line and form with a deep connection to Northern Cheyenne aesthetic traditions. Influenced by Indigenous art forms such as beadwork, pottery and textiles, her work is inspired by extensive research into museum collections, archives and the vibrant landscapes of the Southwestern United States, where she lives and works.
"Jordan Ann Craig's paintings invite slow, contemplative engagement through their intricate combinations of color, geometry and form," said Kathleen Bickford Berzock, associate director of curatorial affairs at The Block Museum. "We can reflect on their surfaces, the Indigenous histories of abstraction they draw from, and the often humorous, profound titles Craig assigns to each work."
The exhibition's title - drawn from Northern Cheyenne poet m.s. RedCherries' "spinning air" - emphasizes themes of reflection, grounding and interconnectedness. Craig's intricate patterns, rich palettes and enigmatic titles encourage immersive viewing, where deeper meaning unfolds through observation.
Craig views her art as an extension of her family's creative legacy, shaped by a childhood filled with artmaking. "My parents gave us art supplies instead of toys," she recalls. "My dad built furniture and painted, and my mom was constantly crafting and creating. That sense of play and precision now defines my paintings."
The exhibition runs through April 13 and is presented concurrently with "Woven Being: Art for Zhegagoynak/Chicagoland," a landmark exhibition that foregrounds Indigenous voices, histories and methodologies through the lens of the Chicagoland region and its Native communities.
Exhibition Keynote
A keynote event on Wednesday, Feb. 26 at 6 p.m. features Jordan Ann Craig in conversation with m.s. RedCherries. Free and open to all, the event will offer a unique opportunity to hear from two Northern Cheyenne cultural leaders as they explore themes of identity, grounding and creative expression that are central to Craig's artistic practice. Their conversation will be moderated by Jordan Poorman Cocker, 2021-25 Terra Foundation guest co-curator of Woven Being: Art for Zhegagoynak/Chicagoland
