Eskenazi Museum of Art Presents Decade Survey of Samuel Levi Jones
From September 12, 2026, to February 14, 2027, the Sidney and Lois Eskenazi Museum of Art will host an exhibition called "Samuel Levi Jones: An Archaeology of Knowledge." This show highlights ten years of the artist's mixed-media paintings and sculptures. Drawing inspiration from the French philosopher Michel Foucault, the exhibition delves into how we understand culture, power, and politics. Jones addresses issues like nationalism, censorship, and the representation of marginalized communities throughout history. While curating the exhibition, he sifted through the museum's collection, choosing pieces like Thomas Hart Benton’s sketches, Gordon Parks’ photographs, and a print by Jasper Johns to create a conversation with his own work, reflecting Foucault's ideas on knowledge.
Key facts
- Samuel Levi Jones: An Archaeology of Knowledge opened September 12, 2026, at the Sidney and Lois Eskenazi Museum of Art.
- The exhibition runs through February 14, 2027.
- It surveys ten years of Jones's mixed-media painting and sculpture.
- The title derives from the ideas of French philosopher Michel Foucault.
- Jones addresses nationalism, patriotism, censorship, and the representation of marginalized identities in historical narratives.
- While developing the show, Jones researched the museum's collection for resonant works.
- Included in the display are sketches by Thomas Hart Benton, photographs by Gordon Parks, and a Jasper Johns print.
- The exhibition places Jones's work in dialogue with collection pieces and Foucault's concept of archaeology.
Entities
Artists
- Samuel Levi Jones
- Michel Foucault
- Thomas Hart Benton
- Gordon Parks
- Jasper Johns
Institutions
- Sidney and Lois Eskenazi Museum of Art
Locations
- Bloomington
- Indiana
- United States
- France