June Leaf: Shooting from the Heart

FEATURES

by Amy Schneider

Retrospective

The Grey Art Museum at New York University will host the exhibition, “June Leaf: Shooting from the Heart,” from September 9, 2025, to December 13, 2025. June Leaf (1929–2024), a renowned American visual artist, left an indelible mark on the art world over her 75-year career. Her work is celebrated for its breadth—spanning painting, drawing, sculpture, and printmaking—and for blending surrealism, abstraction, and figuration to explore the interplay between reality and imagination.

“Shooting from the Heart” offers a comprehensive look at Leaf’s artistic journey, displaying more than 120 pieces, including drawings, paintings, and sculptures. The exhibit encourages viewers to engage honestly and openly with the emotional qualities in Leaf’s art. Known as an artist, storyteller, choreographer, and engineer, Leaf produced a creative output rich in figurative works, lively sketches, and innovative kinetic sculptures. The New York Times has praised her art for its unique, spontaneous blend of expressionism, primitivism, and a childlike wonder. Recurring themes in her work include memory, identity, and the broader human experience, all deeply informed by her personal and cultural background.

Beyond her studio practice, June Leaf contributed to art education, teaching at various institutions and sharing her expertise with emerging artists. Her dedication earned her an honorary doctorate in Humane Letters from DePaul University in 1994 and from Nova Scotia College of Art & Design in 1996. In addition, she received the Distinguished Artists Award from the Canadian Council in 1984 and a National Endowment for the Arts (NEA) painting grant in 1989. In 1995, together with her late husband, photographer Robert Frank, Leaf established the Andrea Frank Foundation. This foundation continues to support artists and nonprofit organizations working in photography, video, film, and other visual media.

Throughout her works, Leaf’s careful blending of material description and thematic interpretation creates a unified narrative. Her art consistently invites viewers to reflect on the processes of creation, transformation, and the enduring power of human connection.

The following is a selection of artistic works presented at the “Shooting from the Heart” exhibit:

Ascension of a Pig Lady

“Ascension of a Pig Lady” (1968) by Leaf is a mixed-media artwork that focuses on a waitress with white skin and yellow hair, combining acrylic on canvas with hand-sewn, stuffed figures made of wood and tin. The piece invites audiences to interpret its surreal imagery, encouraging reflection on themes of transformation, identity, and the imaginative possibilities found in art.

Arcade Woman

“Arcade Women” (1956), an oil painting by Leaf, uses dynamic figures and bold colors to explore themes of femininity and empowerment. The artwork’s composition highlights women’s resilience and connection, prompting reflection on female empowerment throughout history and today.

Two Woman on a Jack

In “Two Woman on a Jack,” (2001), Leaf uses industrial materials like metal, tin, wire, wood, jack parts, and a crowbar to highlight her inventive approach. This not only showcases resourcefulness but also symbolizes the resilience and connection of women. The sculpture’s everyday objects reflect the complexity of relationships—a theme central to Leaf’s work—and transform ordinary items into symbols of strength and unity.

The Head

Upon encountering Leaf’s “The Head,” (1980) created from painted aluminum and stainless steel with movable parts, viewers are drawn to its bold presence. While the sculpture might inspire admiration for its originality and technical execution, it may also challenge the viewer due to its unconventional features.

For those interested in learning more about June Leaf’s art, exhibitions, or background, please visit her website or consult the resources provided by institutions that have showcased her work. Here are additional links to information about Leaf:

https://greyartmuseum.nyu.edu/exhibition/june-leaf-shooting-from-the-heartseptember-9-december-13-2025/
https://whitney.org/artists/5021