Chicago-born artist Nathaniel Mary Quinn, now based in Brooklyn, is opening his first museum show in his hometown at the National Public Housing Museum. Titled “Nathaniel Mary Quinn: A Love Letter to My Mother,” the exhibition runs from May 21 to August 23, 2026, and features 10 artworks alongside a recreation of his childhood living room in the Robert Taylor Homes. The show is dedicated to his late mother, who encouraged his early drawing on the apartment walls. Quinn, known for his collage-like portraits, recently created the album cover for the Rolling Stones’ upcoming album “Foreign Tongues.” The museum will also host community conversations about the history of the Robert Taylor Homes.
The exhibition matters because it reframes public housing as a site of creativity and resilience rather than solely a place of hardship. By centering his mother’s disabled body and the fragmented memories of his upbringing, Quinn challenges mainstream narratives that villainize public housing. The show also marks a significant institutional debut for the artist in Chicago, connecting his personal history to broader conversations about identity, place, and memory. The National Public Housing Museum’s programming further amplifies voices of former residents, making the exhibition a platform for community dialogue and historical reckoning.