The Kerr Gallery was established in 1978, and at that time bought and sold Native American art exclusively, both prehistoric and historic pieces from all Native American cultures. As the years passed our interests expanded, as did our inventory. Today we not only maintain a large Native American collection, but now represent the following areas:
American and International folk art
18th, 19th, and 20th century, including an extensive collection of African American quilts.
Tribal and ethnographic art
Native American , African, Pacific Rim, Papua New Guinea, Pre-Columbian, Spanish Colonial, and Oriental rugs of tribal origin.
Japanese antiques
Including samurai examples and country textiles (Boro).
We have a total of over 600 pieces in our collection.
Michael Kerr's biography
I received a BA degree from Roosevelt University, a BFA degree from the School of the Art Institute of Chicago, and an MFA from the Art Institute in 1976. Prior to receiving my degrees, I served as Peace Corps volunteer in Sri Lanka (Ceylon), where my interest began to develop.
Upon completing my MFA, I taught full and part time and various colleges and universities in the Chicagoland area, including the School of the Art Institute of Chicago. In 1978 I started my gallery business.
In the early 1980's I was a charter member and lecturer in the Primitive Art Society of Chicago, held at Chicago's Field Museum.
I have advertised extensively in American Indian Art Magazine, American Folk Art Magazine, Raw Vision, and Tribal Arts Magazine.
Examples from collection of African American quilts can currently be seen in the book Vintage Quilts by Maggi McCormick Gordon.
Various works from the gallery can in be found in the collections of The Art Institute of Chicago, The Denver Art Museum, and The San Diego Museum of Man, as well as many major private collections.