The Abraham Lincoln Presidential Library and Museum (ALPLM) will honor the legacy of celebrated sculptor Richard Hunt with a special exhibition titled "Freedom in Form: Richard Hunt," opening on October 25 and running until April 20, 2025. Hunt, a lifelong Chicago resident, created more public sculptures than any other American artist, with works displayed in locations from Champaign and Peoria to Washington, D.C., and New York. His abstract art powerfully captured the struggles and hopes of African Americans seeking equality.

This exhibition will be the first major showcase of Hunt's work since his passing last year. It will feature a range of his creations, from large-scale sculptures represented by maquettes to smaller pieces that offer insight into his creative process. Additionally, tools from Hunt's studio and books from his library will be on display.

One highlight of the exhibition is the presentation of two significant works that bookend Hunt's career. The first is his 1956 sculpture "Hero's Head," inspired by the tragic death of Emmett Till. The second is a maquette of a memorial to Till that Hunt was working on at the time of his death.

Christina Shutt, the executive director of ALPLM, expressed her admiration for Hunt's visionary artistry, which was deeply influenced by the African American experience and its connections to the history of President Lincoln. 

For more information, visit www.PresidentLincoln.illinois.gov, or follow the ALPLM on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram.