CROSSINGS by Bernard Wiliams
CROSSINGS by Bernard Williams is a solo exhibition traversing the Elmhurst Art Museum’s campus, and includes four dynamic sculptures in Wilder Park and additional works inside the Musuem. These works present an exploration of the concept of mobility—not just as physical movement forward, but as the human aspiration to rise to better circumstances.
Four large sculptures activate Wilder Park for the summer, taking visitors on a journey through the histories of Black achievement in transportation and agriculture. The sculptures include a race car, a tractor, and two tall steel poles resembling sign posts which are situated throughout the park. Inside the Museum a large airplane in the Hostetler Gallery is visible from the park. Additional works by Williams are presented inside the Museum galleries and the McCormick House.
In Wilder Park, a race car titled Route 27, honors Wendell Scott, the first Black man to win a NASCAR premier league event. The body of the car includes Williams' paintings of site-specific symbolism— for Elmhurst, the artist will recognize the lifetime achievements of local NASCAR winner, Fred Lorenzen (1934-2024).
Black Tractor (2020) is an homage to the strength, power, and labor of African-American farmers in the US. In this work, Williams incorporates his own family history. The sculpture was funded by a small inheritance from his uncle, an Alabama-based farmer who distributed money from the historic Black Farmers Settlement to his relatives.
Two new tall steel pole sculptures resembling signposts are unveiled in CROSSINGS. One signpost celebrates the achievements of Black cowboys in shaping the American West after Reconstruction, connecting to the agricultural theme of Black Tractor.
The second pole sculpture honors Bessie Coleman, the first Black woman pilot and a trailblazer who created opportunities for other Black pilots in the early 1900s. This sculpture accompanies Williams’ new, life-sized airplane sculpture, presented in the Hostetler Gallery inside the Museum.
With over thirty years exhibiting his work, Williams is celebrated for his public murals, sculptures, and paintings. The works in CROSSINGS reflect Williams’ research and commitment to highlight little-known or forgotten narratives in history.
Curated by Allison Peters Quinn, CROSSINGS runs from May 1 to August 17, 2025.
“We’re excited to share Williams’s compelling artworks in Wilder Park, bringing Elmhurst residents and visitors an opportunity to engage with cutting-edge art in an accessible, public setting,” said Allison Peters Quinn, Executive Director and Chief Curator of the Elmhurst Art Museum. “Bernard’s works challenge traditional views on sculpture, offering a fresh perspective on form, space, and common materials. The exhibition highlights Elmhurst Art Museums’ commitment to fostering creativity and promoting artistic expression within the community.“
This exhibition is made possible in partnership with Elmhurst Park District and is generously supported by The Community Bank of Elmhurst, Elmhurst Bank/WinTrust, Wangler and Company, Inc., and the JCS Fund Visual Arts and Music Mini-Grant from DuPage Foundation. Additional support from Explore Elmhurst and the Illinois Arts Council.
Image: Route 27, mixed media, 8 x 6 x 5 feet, 2016. Courtesy of Elmhurst Art Museum an© Bernard Williams