Carmen Herrera & Leon Polk Smith

Both Sides of the Line: Carmen Herrera & Leon Polk Smith brings together the groundbreaking work of Carmen Herrera and Leon Polk Smith—neighbors, friends, and pioneers of geometric abstraction. Despite forging a creative dialogue that spanned decades, their work has never been presented side-by-side at this scale, until now.
Through more than 45 works, including paintings, works on paper, and three-dimensional objects, this exhibition examines the dynamic relationship between Herrera’s crisp lines and bold colors and Smith’s sweeping curves and expansive forms. Born in Cuba, Herrera navigated an art world that often marginalized her contributions, while Smith, a gay man who was born in Indian Territory, similarly pushed against the boundaries of a system that never fully recognized his work. Their paths, distinct yet parallel, reveal a shared commitment to pushing the boundaries of abstraction in a mid-century art world that too often overlooked them.

Both Sides of the Line explores how these two artists redefined the visual language of modern art. Their perspectives intersect, diverge, and resonate, offering new ways to understand their work, abstraction, and the power of friendship. The exhibition is on view through January 4th, 2026, at the University of Michigan Museum of Art.