ROGER BROWN (1941–1997)

Couple Progressing Toward Mount Rincon, 1997

Oil on canvas

48 × 72 inches

121.9 × 182.9 cm

By CGN Staff

GRAY has announced global representation of the Estate of Roger Brown (1941–1997), a seminal artist whose distinctive vision helped define the Chicago Imagists movement and left a lasting impact on contemporary American art.

A leading figure among the Imagists, Brown was known for merging social commentary with a bold, stylized visual language that reflected both wit and critique. His works from the 1960s through the 1990s examine the intersections of popular culture, politics, and the built environment, forming a deeply personal yet incisive portrait of American life.

“Roger Brown dared to confront the complex politics of an America he cared deeply for with a sharply critical eye, but also with a grace, wit, and style that distinguishes his contribution to twentieth-century painting,” said Valerie Carberry, CEO and President of GRAY. “His powerful critique continues to resonate in our present time, and GRAY looks forward to expanding the audience for his work in new contexts and dialogues.”

Currently, Brown’s work is featured in two major museum exhibitions:

• Sixties Surreal at the Whitney Museum of American Art, New York (through January 19, 2026)
• City in a Garden at the Museum of Contemporary Art Chicago (through May 31, 2026)

GRAY will also highlight Brown’s work in the Kabinett sector at Art Basel Miami Beach this December and present a monographic exhibition titled Weathervane at GRAY Chicago in April 2026, focusing on Brown’s engagement with environmental themes and his fascination with weather systems.

ROGER BROWN (1941–1997)

Cattails and Cardinal Flowers, 1980

Oil on canvas

44 × 66 1⁄2 inches

111.8 × 168.9 cm

About Roger Brown

Roger Brown (1941–1997) was a pioneering painter, sculptor, and collector whose work bridged the personal and political. Born in rural Alabama, Brown moved to Chicago to study at the School of the Art Institute of Chicago (BFA 1968, MFA 1970), where he became a central figure among the Chicago Imagists under the mentorship of Ray Yoshida and Whitney Halstead.

Drawing from influences as diverse as folk art, Surrealism, Modernist architecture, and self-taught traditions, Brown created a visual vocabulary that explored themes of urban isolation, natural disasters, and social satire, often with dark humor and empathy. His art reflects a keen awareness of contemporary contradictions and a unique perspective shaped by his identity as a queer Southern artist.

Brown’s works are held in major museum collections, including the Metropolitan Museum of Art, Museum of Modern Art, and Whitney Museum of American Art in New York; the Art Institute of Chicago and Museum of Contemporary Art Chicago; and international institutions such as Fondazione Prada (Milan), Museo Reina Sofía (Madrid), and the Scottish National Gallery of Modern Art (Edinburgh).

For more information, visit GRAY.

Images Courtesy of GRAY Chicago/New York. © The School of the Art Institute of Chicago and the Brown Family.