"Creating Change" at "Visual Narrative" ...The Author's Perspective

The Visual Narrative exhibition—currently on display at Gallery 180 of The Illinois Institute of Art-Chicago—will conclude in just two weeks. Prior to the close of the exhibition, there will be another event which ties into the idea of the "Narrative". I've invited two Chicago area authors to present their most recent projects. In an attempt to begin a dialogue for personal and social change, Jan Baiden and Cheryl Jefferson will discuss the ideas contained within their recent books. The lecture and discussion will be held at Gallery 180 of The Illinois Institute of Art-Chicago, which—not so ironically—happens to be the venue for the national juried exhibition titled, “Visual Narrative”. The event will take place on Wednesday, July 21, at 6-8pm.

Utilizing Gallery 180 as the venue for a literary event seems obvious due to the content of the current show. Evoking emotion and initiating change is the purpose for the creation of fine art. Visual artists—as well as writers—want to communicate and connect with people. Their work becomes the voice by which they can question, document, inform, or proclaim a personal perspective. Artists ask questions and attempt to explore ideas …ideas which may remove the audience from their comfort zone. The exhibition, “Visual Narrative” seems to ask who we are as a society and how we relate to one another. The authors do the same but also consider the personal perspective. Baiden suggests that we seize the day and Jefferson discloses current-day criminal traditions. Inspirational, educational or provocative… an observation of the human condition will be evident in the narratives presented by our guest authors as they attempt to begin a dialogue for personal and social change.

Jan Baiden’s book, Snapshots, contains the author’s memoirs in a series of inspirational stories defining an amazingly adventurous life. The book is filled with numerous passages exploring life lessons, while containing an underlying prompt to consider opportunities as they arise. The stories seem to highlight the idea that when one door closes another opens… and what appears on the other side is always another adventure.

Choice and the potential for change is what brought author Cheryl Jefferson to write Death of a Raks Star, Book One of her Breaking Criminal Traditions Series (Copyright 2010 Cheryl Jefferson), due out in 2011.

"Worldwide, millions of women live too close to their bones and too far from their dreams because they were born into cultures of criminal tradition. Criminal traditions are real-life rituals that result in the death or maiming of thousands of women each year. These practices have been in place for centuries and the dark legacy of using them to protect male power by controlling females continues today. The mission of my novels is to expose this cycle, the passion of my life is to break criminal tradition. The initial step," Jefferson explains, "is using fiction to raise reader consciousness because consciousness is the first step toward change."

Both authors paint powerful stories of humanity. Like the visual artists, the writers look at who we've become and how we relate. The question remains—Can we create change through the power of narrative? I believe social and self awareness may be the answer.

The book lecture and discussion, “Creating Change” will be presented at Gallery 180 of The Illinois Institute of Art-Chicago on Wednesday, July 21 beginning at 6pm. This event is free and open to the public. Gallery 180 is located at 180 N. Wabash—at the corner of Lake and Wabash—in Chicago’s Loop.

The current exhibition “Visual Narrative” a national juried exhibition of fine art that tells a story—will conclude on July 22nd. Additional information about the show can be found at gallery180.com. The gallery is open Monday-Thursday 8am-8pm; Friday, 8am-5:30pm; Saturday, 9am-5pm; closed Sunday.

Above left: Jan Baiden, Right: Cheryl Jefferson

Visual Narrative ~ Nicole McCormick Santiago

On display through July 22nd at Gallery 180 of The Illinois Institute of Art-Chicago are two pieces by Nicole McCormick Santiago, an amazing figurative artist who currently lives and works in Williamsburg Virginia. The intimate pieces, measuring roughly 30 x 24 inches, present human situations with implied narratives. The artist's intention is to "...capture the subject’s internal and layered narrative where residues of the past and suggestions of the future swirl around the present, creating a kind of “thick time.” McCorrmick Santiago goes on... "To accomplish this, I use the scattered signs of daily existence to communicate accidental yet honest storylines that provide indirect insight into the cadence of a daily life."

After the Visual Narrative exhibition was selected, I contacted each of the artist for a short statement about the selected works. Following is the statement defining "Birthday Scene" and "Ghost" by Nicole McCormick Santiago.

The artwork titled Birthday Scene is a perfect example of this sort of layered narrative and “thick time.” Situated amid a birthday celebration, the protagonist wears a juvenile pink dress symbolizing the naivety of youth. She is positioned between a birthday cake and a doll that she inattentively places or removes into or out of a gift bag. Her apprehensive expression as she gazes at the cake, is the apprehension of marriage. Indeed it is no accident this cake mimics the shape of a wedding cake. The ambiguity surrounding her actions with the doll alludes to contradicting emotions surrounding motherhood. The confusion as to whose birthday we are to celebrate reiterates the confusing rites of passage (i.e. motherhood & marriage) that the young woman faces.


When compared to Birthday Scene, Ghost, which portrays a child in a makeshift ghost costume, is a more direct narrative and contains less allegory to sift through. In order to gain a fuller narrative, this image requires one to look beyond the moment shown, to consider the time before and the moment after. Is the child just beginning her Halloween adventure or is she arriving home to rummage trough her spoils? Using the scattered signs of domestic life, one can infer the household space this child inhabits and therefore gain a better understanding of the figures depicted. The mother, although large and dominant, does not maintain a dominating role in the painting. This role is given to the child’s possessions, hence shifting the painting’s focus to align with the child’s focus. The mother is an ever-present supporting column that quietly stabilizes the moment, while the child freely explores her brightly colored world.

With twenty-one narrative works of art by thirteen artists, this exhibition is filled with thought-provoking pieces which address the human condition. The show continues through July 22nd. All works are available for purchase. Gallery 180 of The Illinois Institute of Art-Chicago is located at 180 N. Wabash—in Chicago's Loop. Additional work by McCormick Santiago can be found at: nmsantiago.com

Images: Nicole McCormick Santiago, "Birthday Scene", 2009, oil on linen, 30 x 23 3/4" $2,000
Nicole McCormick Santiago, "Ghost", 2010, oil on linen, 30 x 23 3/4" $2,000

Visual Narrative ~ Paula Kloczkowski Luberda

Visual Narrative is currently on display at Gallery 180 of The Illinois Institute of Art-Chicago. The show includes a wonderful cement figurative sculpture by—one of my favorite artists—Paula Kloczkowski Luberda. The work—personally inspirational—depicts an interaction of a man and woman interpreted with pure body language. Kloczkowski Luberda's statement from the exhibition catalog reads:"

Connected, united, joined, or linked. As an Artist, I seek to create work with concepts strongly rooted in my exploration and observation of humanity. I manipulate the colors, textures and patterns of the materials used to convey my intentions. I strive to create a bond between the viewer and the work... to approach the viewer with a dialogue addressing society or humanity as a whole. It is important for us to understand what we have in common and how we connect..."

She goes on to explain the included piece...

"He/She presents a physical, psychological, and philosophical interaction between two figures. This reflection of humanity induces the observer to explore their personal relationships, moments of interaction and how both are perceived."

The Visual Narrative exhibition at Gallery 180 of The Illinois Institute of Art-Chicago continues through July 22nd and it is worth seeing. Gallery 180 is located at 180 N. Wabash in Chicago's Loop. If you are unable to make it to Chicago, you can review the exhibition online at gallery180.com

As a side note, I will be exhibiting with Paula Kloczkowski Luberda and Yelena Klairmont at The Art Center in Highland Park. That show—titled "Ripple ~ cause and effect", opening July 2nd—will include some of Kloczkowski Luberda's rock formation work.

Image: Paula Kloczkowski Luberda, He/She, 2001, cement, 31 x 9 x 3" and 30.5 x 8 x 3"

Visual Narrative ~ Opening Reception

Friday, June 11 from 5:30-7:30
Gallery 180 of The Illinois Institute of Art-Chicago
180 N. Wabash, Chicago, IL 60601

The Opening Reception for the National Juried Exhibition, titled "Visual Narrative", will be held at Gallery 180 of The Illinois Institute of Art-Chicago this Friday from 5:30-7:30. The reception—catered by the Institute's Culinary School—will celebrate the work of the thirteen artists exhibiting from around the country. The artists are: Deborah Bryan of Johnson City, TN; Jenny Chi of Charlestown, IL; Tim Clorius of Portland, ME; Sheila Ganch of Chicago; David Hannon of Muncie, IN; Andrea Harris of Mundelein, IL; Paula Kloczkowski Luberda of Naperville, IL; Nichole McCorrmick Santiago of Williamsburg, VA; Joseph Moniz of Acushnet, MA; Barbara Simcoe of Omaha, NE; Marrydorsey Wanless of Topeka, KS; Joan Wynn of Los Angeles, CA, and Naijun Zhang of Morgantown, WV.

“Visual Narrative” will be presented at Gallery 180 of The Illinois Institute of Art-Chicago through July 22nd. This exhibition is free and open to the public. Works are available for purchase. An exhibition catalog for Visual Narrative is available. Gallery 180 is located at 180 N. Wabash—at the corner of Lake and Wabash—in Chicago’s Loop. The gallery is open Monday-Thursday 8am-8pm; Friday, 8am-5:30pm; Saturday, 9am-5pm; closed Sunday.


Image: Joseph Moniz, "We Build" Oil on Board, 48 x 44”, 2008, $3,000

Andrea Harris ~ Visual Narrative

Andrea Harris is one of four local [to Chicago] artists included in the Visual Narrative exhibition at Gallery 180 of The Illinois Institute of Art-Chicago, which opens this Friday. With two canvases in the show—“Amina Lawal and her daughter” and “Women of Pakistan” [both: oil and wax on canvas, 24” square]— Harris focuses on portraiture to tell her story. The imagery is bold and inspirational. Harris explains:

“My paintings are observations of humanity, representing the journey of curiosity and the soul of discovery. Each of us is unique in the universe yet shape, form and color remind us that we are elements in nature. Very often my art is the result of an exploration of culture and current events, urging me to question and allowing me the passage that reveals we are all connected.”

“The painting of Amina Lawal and her daughter is my direct response to the poignant story that was highlighted in the media several years ago. Ms. Lawal had been sentenced to stoning to death in the Kataina State of northern Nigeria. Amnesty International embraced her story and a global effort was initiated in a petition to save her life. This process became the focal point of human rights groups around the world, and ultimately Ms. Lawal was set free. She lives with her daughter, Wasila, and campaigns on behalf of others who have been victims of human rights violations.”

Join us for the Opening Reception of "Visual Narrative", Friday, June 11th from 5:30-7:30pm. As always, the reception is free to the public.

“Visual Narrative” will be presented at Gallery 180 of The Illinois Institute of Art-Chicago through July 22nd. This exhibition is free and open to the public. Works are available for purchase. An exhibition catalog for Visual Narrative is available. Gallery 180 is located at 180 N. Wabash—at the corner of Lake and Wabash—in Chicago’s Loop. The gallery is open Monday-Thursday 8am-8pm; Friday, 8am-5:30pm; Saturday, 9am-5pm; closed Sunday.

Image: Andrea Harris, “Amina Lawal and Daughter”, Oil and Cold Wax on Canvas, 24 x 24”, 2007, $2,400

Visual Narrative

The National Juried Exhibition titled "Visual Narrative" opens this Friday at Gallery 180 of The Illinois Institute of Art-Chicago. The focus of the exhibition is fine art that tells a story. The works—varied, as in any group exhibition—have a common thread. All of the pieces seem to focus on the human condition—the experiences of being human in a social, cultural and personal context. The work addresses: who we’ve become, what we’ve created, and how we relate to one another. Some of the pieces are quiet, subtle and introspective while others emerge confrontational. Yet, each piece invites the viewer into a unique world in which the artist shares an observation of the human experience.

One of the artists presented in the exhibition is David Hannon. Hannon—an Assistant Professor of Painting at Ball State University—uses his abilities to bring attention to current global issues. "Summer Drought" [48x70" oil on canvas, shown above] presents the image of a single figure sitting by a fire in a dried out lakebed. The image clearly addresses the global warming crisis. In defining his painting, Hannon explains:

“In the early stages, I became interested in the exposed surface of a lakebed as a setting; an area that would normally be under water and not typically thought of as beautiful. This exposed landscape metaphor became important to the development of the overall significance of this painting. The main narrative is centered on the idea of being exposed to natural forces such as drought and how people deal with environmental change through the spaces they inhabit. The main character has been stripped of every modern convince left only with the ability to create fire, but he is enjoying nature. The unseen people, in the cliff house above, are locked away in the safety of a completely artificial world probably annoyed at the lack of water in the lake. The steep banks of the lake allow the modern cliff house—with metal poles to contrast the exposed wooden dock—to hint at the theme of old versus new. In these times of economic downturn, I wonder if we as a society can once again experience the world in a purely natural way without the use of high definition television.”

The show includes a variety of painting, drawing, sculpture, printmaking, and photography. The Artists included in the show are: Deborah Bryan, Jenny Chi, Tim Clorius, Sheila Ganch, David Hannon, Andrea Harris, Paula Kloczkowski Luberda, Nichole McCormick Santiago, Joseph Moniz, Barbara Simcoe, Marydorsey Wanless, Joan Wynn, and Naijun Zhang, I'll be writing about each of these artists over the course of the exhibition.

“Visual Narrative” will be presented at Gallery 180 of The Illinois Institute of Art-Chicago through July 22nd. This exhibition is free and open to the public. Works are available for purchase. An exhibition catalog for Visual Narrative is available. Gallery 180 is located at 180 N. Wabash—at the corner of Lake and Wabash—in Chicago’s Loop. The gallery is open Monday-Thursday 8am-8pm; Friday, 8am-5:30pm; Saturday, 9am-5pm; closed Sunday.

Image: David Hannon, "Summer Drought", Oil on Canvas, 48 x 70”, 2009, $4,000