John Preus

About

John Preus is a Chicago artist and one of the MCA’s most consistent collaborators. His work often explores collective labor, inviting viewers to engage more fully with the world around them.

His 2015 MCA installation, Da Dee Dee Da De Profundis, for instance, isn't just a visually compelling sculptural work. It's also a stage for performances and public conversations, a space where visitors can rest and relax.

The work, which repurposes salvaged furniture from Chicago public schools that were shuttered when Mayor Rahm Emanuel slashed school funding, reminds us of the importance of civic engagement and community activism.