Last week I attended the opening reception of my group show at the Illinois State Museum, Lockport Gallery. The show, Fragile Relations: Art, Nature and Environment, first opened at the State Museum’s Chicago Gallery in October of 2012, and is now travelling throughout the museum’s network of galleries. It will be at the Lockport Gallery from May 25 – October 25, 2013, then on to the Southern Illinois Art Gallery in 2014 and the Springfield Museum after that.
I’m exhibiting three Alleys & Ruins images and three Glam Bug pieces.
The show was featured on ABC-TV in Oct 2012, and was the Chicago Tribune’s A&E Pick of the Week in Dec.
In the show are three Alleys & Ruins and three Glam Bugs, including Dub Stop, below
Jane Stevens, the show curator, presenting the show
Telling the tales behind my Glam Bugs at the Illinois State Museum
Review from The Southern
WHITTINGTON – “Fragile Relations” is the newly installed, contemporary art exhibition organized by Jane Stevens at the Illinois State Museum.
The exhibit will have an opening reception from 2 to 4 p.m. Sunday, Nov. 23, and will be on display through March 15.
The exhibition highlights the work of 14 Illinois artists inspired by nature and the environment. The artists delve into both the personal or shared environments.
Many of the artists recycle materials that most people would discard and through a process of reclaiming, they transform the objects into works of art.
Mary Ellen Croteau’s work uses plastic waste material, such as plastic bags and bottle caps, to make works of art. Carole Komarek’s fish pieces use found objects from earlier times. Michele Stutts’ Cabrini-Green Project Series, uses found objects that are surviving remnants from the housing project’s demolition aftermath. Toby Zallman uses materials as metaphors to express psychological content. She contrasts structures and textures and addresses the impact discarded plastics will have on the environment and technological culture. Three artists incorporate natural materials into their work: Denise Bellezzo, Barbara Cooper and Donna Hapac.
Five photographers explore the world through their camera lens: Xavier Nuez, Jeff Crisman, Jean Sousa, Nora Lloyd and Marjorie David. Alex Lopez’s mixed media video installation invites the audience to experience an environment that is both beautiful and slightly disturbing. Exhibition curator Jane Stevens remarks “We all experience both private and public landscapes and it is my hope that we will create nurturing spaces where life can survive and grow.” The Southern Illinois Art & Artisans Center, located six miles north of Benton just west of Exit of 77, has free admission and is wheelchair-accessible. Hours are 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. daily. Call 618-629-2220 for more information.