Opening the Fall 2011 Gallery Season at Gallery 180

Last night’s opening reception for Audry Cramblit and Chris Raecker at Gallery 180 of The Illinois Institute of Art-Chicago was one of the highlights of the 2011 Fall Gallery Season in Chicago. The exhibition—which runs through November 3rd—presents an amazing mixture of elaborate bronze figurative sculptures and haunting, large-scale digitally enhanced photographs.

There will be a second reception during October – Chicago Artists Month - Wednesday, October 12, 5-6:30pm. Chicago Artists Month is a citywide, event showcasing Chicago visual artists and their work throughout the month of October. Coordinated by the Chicago Department of Cultural Affairs and Special Events in partnership with the Chicago Office of Tourism and Culture, Chicago Artists Month showcases over 200 events, ranging from exhibitions to open studio tours and neighborhood art walks presented by museums, galleries, cultural centers, artist collaboratives, and other organizations throughout the city. The primary goal of Chicago Artists Month is to raise awareness of the extraordinary quality and depth of our visual arts community. Additional information can be found at: chicagoartistsmonth.org

If you missed last night’s event, feel free to drop by the Gallery 180 Monday through Thursday from 8am-8pm, Friday 8am-5:30pm and Saturday 9am-5pm. All works are available for purchase. Gallery 180 is located at 180 N. Wabash—at the corner of Lake and Wabash—in Chicago’s Loop.

Additional information can be found at gallery180.com.

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The Labyrinth and A Midnight Carnival

Image: Audry Cramblit, “Agatha” 2010, bronze

Audry Cramblit ~ “Labyrinth”

Chris Raecker ~ “A Midnight Carnival”

September 5 - November 3

Reception: Friday, September 9, 5:30-7:30

With a special Second Reception: Wednesday, October 12, 5-6:30

Gallery 180 of The Illinois Institute of Art-Chicago presents the figurative sculpture of Chicago artist, Audry Cramblit, alongside the moody, digitally-enhanced photography of Chris Raecker. Combining the work of these two amazing fine artists brings the mystery of surrealistic fantasy to Gallery 180.

In the body of work titled “Labyrinth”, Sculptor Audry Cramblit creates stunning textural surfaces and exquisite patinas that adorn her intimate figurative forms of clay and wax. The final pieces—ceramic or bronze—address the mind and body of humanity, paying homage to the psyche and physical elegance of the human form. Each figure is uniquely embellished to define Cramblit’s intention: The meandering but purposeful journey toward self-reinvention.

Image: Chris Raecker “Disk”, 2007, digitally enhanced photography

Perception is manipulated in the body of work titled “A Midnight Carnival” created by Chris Raecker. In these photographs, Raecker presents moody, digitally enhanced imagery of the annual mid-September fair called the Cattle Congress. The event—Located in Waterloo, Iowa—has a midway with bizarre contraptions and activities. Upon his first encounter, Raecker knew that this environment was perfect for creating imagery flavored with joy and modified to expose a darker side. His photographs only begin to tell a story that touches on childhood memories, perception and the surreal impression of the psyche.

The sculpture of Audry Cramblit and the photography of Chris Raecker will be presented at Gallery 180 of The Illinois Institute of Art-Chicago through November 3. Previews begin on September 5th. An Opening Reception will take place on Friday, September 9 from 5:30-7:30 pm …with a special second reception on October 12th from 5-6:30pm. This second reception will be in conjunction with the events of Chicago Artists’ Month, as well as to kick off this year’s Filter Photo Festival. This exhibition is free and open to the public. All works are available for purchase. Gallery 180 is located at 180 N. Wabash—at the corner of Lake and Wabash—in Chicago’s Loop. The gallery is open Monday through Thursday from 8am-8pm, Friday 8am-5:30pm and Saturday 9am-5pm. Additional information can be found at gallery180.com.