Michael Boruch was a Photography professor, and I was able to film with him in his lab while he showed us his original negatives, describing how, as a student in the 70s, he made a photographic record of Henry Darger’s room on Webster Ave., Chicago. 

As one of the core group of Chicago art students who visited the house – which included filmmakers Coleen Fitzgibbon and Michael Thompson, and Darger’s fellow tenant, photographer David Berglund – Michael Boruch was instrumental in documenting Henry Darger’s environment. He recognised how important capturing the story of that space would become. 

Michael was warm, creative and insightful, a supportive collaborator with a great sense of humour, and a favourite teacher for many of his students. Meeting up with Michael during my visits to Chicago, and staying with him and his wife Kathy during one trip, were highlights of the Dargerfilm journey. It was very sad to hear that he passed away last September. 

Michael Boruch’s photographs of Henry Darger’s room feature in the Art Brut exhibition at the Grand Palais in Paris from June 20 to September 21, 2025. I’m grateful that we were able to include his outstanding photographs in ROTN.

Michael Edward Boruch (April 6 1948 – September 23 2024)