2025 New Acquisitions

5 works by 5 contemporary artists joined the Kemper Museum Permanent Collection in 2024.

Together, these recent acquisitions celebrate the museum’s exhibition history, prioritize investment in and representation of the artists from historically excluded backgrounds, and help make art accessible to the public as a mode of interpreting our contemporary world.

Henni Alftan (b. 1979, Helsinki, Finland), Afternoon Nap (2016). oil on canvas. 51 1/4 x 76 3/4 in. 130.175 x 194.945 cm. Courtesy of the artist and Karma, 2025.02. © Henni Alftan. Photo: E.G. Schempf, 2024

Henni Alftan (b. 1979, Helsinki, Finland), Afternoon Nap (2016). oil on canvas. 51 1/4 x 76 3/4 in. 130.175 x 194.945 cm. Courtesy of the artist and Karma, 2025.02. © Henni Alftan. Photo: E.G. Schempf, 2024

Bisa Butler (b. 1973, City of Orange, New Jersey), A Man's Worth (2019). quilted and appliqued cotton, wool, and chiffon. 89 x 50 in. 226.06 x 127 cm. Promised Gift of Bill and Christy Gautreaux, 2025.05. © Bisa Butler. Photo: E.G. Schempf, 2024

Bisa Butler (b. 1973, City of Orange, New Jersey), A Man's Worth (2019). quilted and appliqued cotton, wool, and chiffon. 89 x 50 in. 226.06 x 127 cm. Promised Gift of Bill and Christy Gautreaux, 2025.05. © Bisa Butler. Photo: E.G. Schempf, 2024

Jane Freillicher (Brooklyn, New York, 1924-2014), Studio Interior (1982). oil on canvas. 50 x 60 in. 127 x 152.4 cm., 2025.04. © Jane Freillicher. Photo: E.G. Schempf, 2025

Jane Freillicher (Brooklyn, New York, 1924-2014), Studio Interior (1982). oil on canvas. 50 x 60 in. 127 x 152.4 cm., 2025.04. © Jane Freillicher. Photo: E.G. Schempf, 2025

Leslie Hewitt (b. 1977, St. Albans, New York), Riffs on Real Time (5 of 10) (2024). chromogenic print. 30 5/8 x 44 1/4 in. 77.78 x 112.395 cm. Courtesy of the artist and Perrotin, 2025.03. © Leslie Hewitt. Photo: E.G. Schempf, 2025

Leslie Hewitt (b. 1977, St. Albans, New York), Riffs on Real Time (5 of 10) (2024). chromogenic print. 30 5/8 x 44 1/4 in. 77.78 x 112.395 cm. Courtesy of the artist and Perrotin, 2025.03. © Leslie Hewitt. Photo: E.G. Schempf, 2025

Tom Jones (b. 1964, Ho-Chunk Nation), Cyrus Ortiz (2016). digital photograph with bead work. 54 x 45 1/2 in. 137.16 x 115.57 cm. Bill Fromm & Jackie Hadl-Fromm, 2025.01. © Tom Jones. Photo: E.G. Schempf, 2025

Tom Jones (b. 1964, Ho-Chunk Nation), Cyrus Ortiz (2016). digital photograph with bead work. 54 x 45 1/2 in. 137.16 x 115.57 cm. Bill Fromm & Jackie Hadl-Fromm, 2025.01. © Tom Jones. Photo: E.G. Schempf, 2025