Mae Alice Engron

Born in Indianapolis, Mae Alice Engron (1942–2007) was a pioneering Black abstract expressionist. A Herron School of Art alumna, she turned to painting at age 40 after a workplace injury. Known for her “controlled drip” technique using poured ink and oil, she blended organic forms with vibrant Neo-Expressionism. Engron broke barriers for Black women in pure abstraction, exhibiting alongside icons like Robert Indiana and Alma Thomas. Her work was featured in groundbreaking shows from Indianapolis to Los Angeles, cementing her legacy as a seminal visionary. Today, her paintings are held by the Smithsonian and the Indiana State Museum. This exhibit features lesser known works purchased in the last two years at auction and is in partnership with Engron’s daughter, Michelle Daniel.