Identity & Fortune - March 12, 2023
Asian American Identities Through Large-Scale Portraits
Identity & Fortune is a solo show of artist June Chen Ahleman’s most recent work. The exhibition includes four large (4’x8’) oil-on-wood portraits of Asian Americans and audio from her interviews with the subjects.
The installation draws on her interest in racial identity, the intersection of how we see ourselves and how others perceive us, and the role of fortune in shaping the relationship between the two.
Listen to interviews with the subjects Camelia, Melissa, Mark, June on June’s website here.
June is a senior at Chicago Waldorf Highschool and the installation is the basis of her Independent Senior Project.
Feb. 28, 2017, Recollection examines the notions of race and culture we encounter growing up in the United States. Shared through reimagined learning tools and remembered narratives, this work explores how we collect these formative ideas about identity and commit them to memory. This collection of work from artist Ben Blount includes letterpress prints, handmade books, and various interactive elements. Photo of Ben Blount by Yvette Meltzer
Midwestern! Punk! Mom! is a three word title that both describes artist Ellen Greene as a person as well the three phases of development in her artwork.
This exhibition that Greene describes as a “DIY retrospective”, her art and objects hang on the gallery walls of the Evanston Gallery, 1100 Florence, with painted text and infographics surrounding them. Together they tell Ellen’s story of her life in art.
“I am obsessed with reading memoirs and wanted to try my hand at it. But the words and memories wouldn’t come. I kept digging into my storage unit for objects that would trigger memories and hopefully words. Then it hit me. I think in pictures, and I make pictures. My artwork and objects are the core of the story. My whole life things like zines, journals, records, toys, books, clothes and photographs influenced my work. Also that work was in direct response to what I was going through emotionally and therefore completing to the overarching narrative. Call it a ‘DIY retrospective’ or ‘punk rock show and tell’… its my life and my stuff so I just want to share it in the most direct way I know how: put it up on a wall and then write about it.”
Greene’s art is diverse, spanning the period of 40 some years, and includes everything from childhood drawings to her well known “tattooed gloves” to self portrait oil paintings. In Midwestern! Punk! Mom! Greene’s narrative, like her work is unflinching. From intense subjects like sex and addiction to the banality of growing up in the Midwest, Ellen is brutally honest in word and image. As one of her mid 90’s self portrait polaroid pieces instruct: “Delicate People should look away.” but those who dare to look will be rewarded with a refreshing vulnerability.
"Run don’t walk to the awesome new show by artist Ellen Greene! Midwestern! Punk! Mom! DIY retrospective at 1100 Florence Gallery. Whimsical, funny, powerful, overwhelming, inspiring, unique." -Matt Golosinski
Click here to listen to an interview with Ellen on The Lisa D Show podcast.
What a magnificent celebration in honor of artist Gay Riseborough! Thank you everyone who attended the opening reception and for those who went home with a nude! Works are priced to sell, Gay doesn't want to take ANY back to the studio! The exhibit is up through Jan. 17, visit the gallery at 1100 Florence Ave., Sundays 12-5p, Wednesdays 5-8p and Fridays 5-8p.
We are thrilled to share the news that we reached and broke through the goal of raising $10,000 for Planned Parenthood IL at this year's Nasty Women Evanston Fundraiser! Third time is a charm!
A big shout out to volunteers Lynn Altfeld, Lilian Hogan, Cara Lawson, Cisco Hahn, Lydia Sweeney, Janet Webber, Judith Joseph - You made the event such a huge success.
And to Carolyn Hinske and Jessa Bertone, this year's event chairs, the hustle was impressive! Because of you two we started the event having raised almost $700 dollars!
Learn more at nastywomenevanston.org
Congratulations to Fran Joy on curating this pop up, such talent!
Paintings and prints by Fran Joy, ceramics by Cherie Lockett, paintings and prints from Rose Cannon's private African American Art Collection.
Such a great opening party! Thank you Meleika Gardener for the photos!
1100 Florence Gallery in Evanston. Info at 1100florence.com
This November we are hosting paintings by artist Daniela Kovacic at 1100 Florence. Opening reception is Nov. 3, 5-8p, Artist talk is Nov. 11, 3-5. Closing reception Nov. 23, 12-9p. Daniela is one of 10 finalists for the Bennett Prize 2019, click here to learn more.
“This show we are in”
‘There is this little moment before going out into the world that gives me a vague feeling of sadness, right when I am getting dressed. In the midst of this everyday act, where I prepare myself to be accepted, I pause’
Photos of Daniela in her studio taken by Joerg Metzner with Picturing Evanston.
Artist Statement
Mound Town. Mound Town originated from an obsession with building snowmen and a continued obsession of using vinyl and found objects as an art medium. At some point I found myself needing to break away from the standard snowman concept and own it. From there I realized that I didn't have to wait for snow to create because if you look, mounds spring up everywhere - during every season. It has become my mission to profile these pile ups of debris found in the corners of our world one mound at a time. But their life span is fleeting and in order to capture these mythical creatures in their natural environment I have to act fast.
If I can point to some kind of internal influence or artistic guidance when creating mounds it would be equal parts Jim Henson, Maurice Sendak and nature artist Andy Goldsworthy.
Skate Sculptures. In the same spirit as the mounds, I pluck unique pieces of driftwood from the rivers, lakes, oceans, and forests that surround me and give them a chance to shine in a new light. I am most interested in pieces that have their own style, flow, and attitude.The wood finds their wheels and together they are uplifted. As a kid who grew up in the heyday of skateboard culture this is also a way for me to honor both the wheel and the wood.
Joey Garfield
www.ghostrobot.com
IG: joeyjoeygarfield
Group Show featuring works by Evanston Made Member Artists expressing their love for Evanston! Exhibit includes photography, painting, ceramics, fiber art and more. All priced to move. All ideal gifts to help your loved ones collect Evanston art! Photo by artist Jordan Scott of the public art installation, Stitch, at the intersection of GreenBay, Ridge and Emerson.
Opening reception Saturday, Feb. 1, 5-9p.
Exhibiting artists include; Carolyn Hinske, David Hinske, Jeanne LaCasse, Jessica Kaplan, Jordan Scott, Joyce Elias, Kristen Neveu, Linda Goad, Lynne Miller Jones, Maya Kalabic, Robin Ryan, Stephen Geunther and Wendy Scofield.
***
1100 Florence Gallery is located at 1100 Florence Avenue in Evanston, IL 60202. Gallery hours are Sunday 12-5p, Wednesday 5-8p and Friday 5-8p. View art by appointment by emailing 1100florencegallery[at]gmail.com. Visit 1100florence.com for more information.
Annie Asebrook unveiled “Demodulator”, a light installation viewable from the sidewalk, Saturday, June 5, 2021, at a sidewalk art party at 1100 Florence Gallery in Evanston. Photos by Sean Su with Purple Photo Co. Installation on display in the gallery windows, at dark, through June 30. Click here to learn more about this installation.
Evanston Made Artist Studio Tour on Saturday, October 7, 12-5p
This is a fantastic event to meet artists in their studio, learn about their practice and start your Evanston Art Collection! Evanston Made's 9th Annual Studio Tour is a self--guided tour of studios throughout Evanston. The Studio Tour Map is available at artist studios, online at evanstonmade.org and at 1100 Florence Gallery, during the pop up exhibit.
Artist Studios are open Saturday, October 7, 12-5p. Click here to RSVP to the Studio Tour and receive a list of participating artist studios and event updates!
Pop Up Exhibit
Studio Tour participants will exhibit their art at 1100 Florence Gallery, Oct. 6-8. Join us Friday, October 6, 5-8p, for an opening reception and to pick up copies of the Studio Tour Map. This pop up exhibit is on display 10/6 - 10/8. Click here to RSVP to attend the opening reception.
OPEN STUDIOS in the WEST VILLAGE
Mary Graham, 1209 Lee St.
Joanna Kramer, 1400 Greenleaf St.
Darin Walsh, 1516 Greenleaf St.
Rachel Posnak, 1522 Greenleaf St.
Beth Adler, 1125 Florence Ave.
amy o amoroso, 1127 Florence Ave.
Judith Lewin, 1127 Florence Ave.
Jack Kraig, 1532 Crain St.
Julie Cowan, 1121 Ashland Ave.
Patricia Patterson, 161 Crain St., Unit 2
Rita Shimelfarb, 1122 Dewey Ave
Shawny Green, 1700 Washington
Alice George, 2308 Lee St.
David Rubman, 2306 Lee St.
Jennifer Turner, 2306 Lee St.
Paul Wear, 920 Brown Ave.
