Bedrooms of the Fallen, Ashley Gilbertson, Sgt. Thomas M. Gilbert. 

Collateral Damage: The Human Face of War is on view now at Stephen Daiter Gallery through October 27.  The group exhibition features powerful imagery that examines significant issues and effects of war including post-traumatic stress, Don’t Ask Don’t Tell, gender issues, the impact of war on an individual and on a family, and much more.  The subject matter of the exhibition is centered around conflicts of war in Iraq and Afghanistan, but the issues examined strike a much deeper chord, recounting past wars and more universal themes.

Men with War, Samantha Appleton, Praying in an Al-Quada Safe House, Ramadi, Iraq

Four accomplished photographers - Samantha Appleton, Vincent Cianni, Ashley Gilbertson, and Stephanie  Sinclair - have six projects on display, in addition to other historic war photographs by Dmitri Baltermants, Robert Capa, Werner Bischof, Wayne Miller.

Join the gallery for a reception with some of the artists this Sunday, September 23 from 10am - 1pm.  Contact the gallery or visit stephendaitergallery.com for more information about the exhibition.

Proceeds from sales of prints in the exhibition will benefit post-traumatic stress support groups such as Wounded Warriors.  In the case of sales of prints from the Gays in the Military series, funds will be sent to the Servicemembers Legal Defense Network, an organization that advocates for LGBT personnel.

If you’ve been patiently waiting for more from Dumela Contemporary African Art since last summer’s show, fret not - the waiting is nearly over.  Roscoe Village’s August House Studio will once again host Dumela’s annual summer show featuring original paintings by emerging and established artists from Kenya, Zimbabwe and South Africa. 

Represented artists create vibrant and evocative work in acrylic, oil, watercolors, pastels and mixed media – all handpicked by Dumela’s owners, Nancy McDaniel and Leila Green, during annual visits to Africa.  Dumela has longstanding relationships with African artists, from whom the artwork is purchased.  Dumela then selects custom framing that compliments each piece from a local Chicago company, and assembles their annual sale to share this artwork with the public.  Don’t miss this once-a-year show and sale!

June 1-30, 2012
Opening reception on Friday, June 1, 5:30-9pm

August House Studio  |  2113 W. Roscoe, Chicago, IL 60618
Visit during regular studio hours: Fridays 5-9pm, Saturdays 1-6pm, Sundays 12-6pm;  or contact Nancy McDaniel to schedule a private viewing appointment: 773-477-2404 or kabusinze@comcast.net.

Dumela’s Adventures from the past year...
In August 2011, Dumela excitedly hosted a favorite Zimbabwean artist, Charles Nkomo, for 5 days.  Charles had come to the USA to spend time at a friends’ gallery, Amazwi, in Saugatuck, Michigan. Following his stay there, Charles came to Chicago where Dumela held a show of his work at The Frame Factory - Dumela's long time and exclusive framer.  The show was attended by many clients, fans and owners of the artist's work.  Charles fell in love with Chicago’s scenery, restaurants, and even some shops... Old Navy and DSW!
 
Dumela co-owner Leila Green traveled to South Africa in March to attend the wedding of a close friend's son.  While there, she met with several artists: Charles Nkomo, Patrick Rapai, Ruziwo Katsidzira, and others.  For the first time, she met a young artist named Petros Mwenga, and did not like the work he initially showed her, but thought he had talent and agreed to meet with him again.  After their second meeting, things clicked and she bought a painting from him.
 
Nancy McDaniel, Dumela’s other co-owner, wasn't able to make a trip to Africa in 2011, but through various channels did manage to get some new work from two artists she knows well - Stephen Njenga and Martin Bulinya.  More recently, Nancy has had her hands full with a (troublesome) painting purchased from a Zimbabwe artist, James Jali.  The painting was unsigned when originally purchased, so it was taken back to Harare by a friend, signed by the artist, and was ready to ship back to the US.  The travelers (en route back the US themselves) thought it would be easier, cheaper and faster to mail the painting to Dumela once back inside the US border.  Sadly, as so many people can relate to, the painting is still floating around somewhere in UPS land, after being shipped from Maryland on May 2.  Needless to say - unless there's a shipping miracle - that painting will not be in this June's show, but hopefully will arrive in time for the 2013 show! 

This Saturday, April 14th at noon, Zhou B. Art Center invites you to the closing reception of About Face, a solo exhibition of British painter and printmaker, Corinna Button, curated by Sergio Gomez. The remarkable show, illustrates Button’s excavation of beauty and female performance, presenting for the first time ever, separate points of view: masqueraded reality and idol. 

Referencing the work of her predecessors, such as Picasso, Munch, and Nolde, Button calls these painted works, her “giants” as they are literally huge works of art spanning from nearly six feet wide to ten feet tall. These layered figures are not only giant in their size however. They are also colossal in their presence, as every character reveals a different narrative and persona, creating a magnificent allure and aura. Their stories branch from Button’s thesis that “groupings of girls and women in threes provide a window into the intimate thoughts and secrets that shape the narrative of ulterior sentiment.” Each painting provokes you to unveil the several complex layers surrounding the conversation about beauty and examine a deeper dialogue that includes human perception.

The labor that is put into these paintings is also quite remarkable. Much like an archaeologist would, Button identifies her work to be about “digging and excavating” as she continues to build upon material and content, scraping and peeling back surfaces, she moreover reveals bit and pieces on the canvas and through the manifested image as well. 

You can learn more about Corinna's process at: http://www.corinnabutton.com/ She frequently updates her blog with works in progress and upcoming events. 

Zhou B Art Center

1029 West 35th Street, Chicago, IL 60609

(773) 523-0200

http://www.zbcenter.org/

Linda Warren Gallery has changed their name from Fine Arts to Gallery and now to Projects, but their mission has remained the same.  The gallery has always been dedicated to carrying out the artistic mission of connecting people through the discussion and discourse of art.  Linda Warren Projects has moved to their new location at 327 N. Aberdeen, just around the corner from their previous West Loop home.

In celebration of their grand re-opening, there will be a reception this Friday December 9 from 6-9 pm, in conjunction with the opening of two long-time gallery artists Emmett Kerrigan and Lora Fosberg. Their new location will have two large gallery spaces, Gallery X and Gallery Y, as well as a new office, Gallery O, that will offer a selection of rotating works chosen from the roster of unique artists and new additions. The new space will act as a platform for LWP to further carry out their notions of finding art that is “engaging, and thought-provoking, challenging but not pretentious, current but not trendy.”

Emmet Kerrigan’s Grand Ave. turns its attention away from his usual industrialscapes and farmscapes and focuses more on neighborhood and houses, creating a feeling of closeness. Kerrigan uses his trademark impasto painting style, while infusing his work with overwhelming colors. He uses repetitiveness as a way to make things unique while depicting facades that still imply human life. Kerrigan also presents works made of salvaged wood from around the city and builds them into neighborhoods, mimicking the idea of children’s blocks. 

Lora Fosberg fuses the opposing forces of city life and environmental awareness into her new exhibition Fallible Memories and Wayward Fictions. She strays away from her usual colorful works and focuses on woodwork and neutral colors, as pieces of mother nature. Fosberg also wrestles with the idea of materialistic “stuff” and the opposition of holding on to and letting go of things. Both shows run through January 28.

Linda Warren Projects is also taking on a new challenge and helping out in the complex needs facing the art community.  Reinforcing the importance of art and creativity in children and adults is an ongoing process, and any programs or opportunities granted are a remarkable help. In 2012 LWP will launch Higher Art- Conscious Corporate Collecting. This non-profit organization will initially work with children from the Chicago and Los Angeles school systems, to create art that will then be bought by businesses and corporations. The school districts will receive the benefits of works sold, and will be apart of a special philanthropic experience. LWP sees the benefits of working with these larger businesses that value art and believe in its power to make a difference. 

The Museum of Contemporary Photography (MoCP) offers an engaging range of exhibitions throughout the year, and like many arts institutions, their programming is possible due in part to the support from donors.  This Friday, the museum is holding their annual benefit auction to drum up that critical support.  Guests will be able to enjoy a festive party while mingling with other photography fans and artists. And the auction is tough to beat, as always.

After the benefit, MoCP is offering their current exhibition, Current Unseen, as well as an upcoming screening and lecture. Read on for all the details. 

The Party 

MoCP’s annual gala and auction this Friday, November 18th begins at 6pm at 301 N Justine St. This year’s theme is prohibition, so get ready for a night full of custom cocktails and rich art. The silent auction offers fine prints by established and emerging artists, and helps support the world of contemporary photography.

Click HERE for a preview 

You may bid on works by artists such as John Baldessari, Penelope Umbrico,  Theun van Rees, and more

Also available during the bidding are several photo ‘experiences,’ including personal portrait sessions with photographer Dawoud Bey and filmmaker/photographer Sandro. You can also bid on a behind the scenes tour of Christie’s, New York for you and a friend!  Absentee bids are welcome (call Jeff Arnett at 312.369.7779 to place a bid. He’s super helpful and really nice.)  Click HERE to purchase tickets 

Olivo Barbieri 

John Sparagana  

At the Museum:

Crime Unseen, MOCP’s current exhibition will run until January 15^th.

Featuring the work of 8 artists who actively engage with myth and reality as they question the roles of memory, the media, and evidence in solving and remembering crime. All of the artists in Crime Unseen grapple with a retelling of disturbing crimes. Using photography and other methods, the artists reactivate historical material and open it up to further contemplation. By drawing on techniques of photojournalism, forensic photography, and documentary landscape (Karen Irvine, Curator and Associate Director). 

Angela Strassheim, Evidence #11 

Upcoming Events

November 30^th from 6-9pm, in conjunction with Crime Unseen, MOCP will screen video work by artists considering the potential for everyday objects, ordinary surroundings and average people to become evidence of something beyond the familiar.

December 1^st at 7pm at the Glessner House Museum, Corinne May Botz will give a lecture about her Nutshell Series of Unexplained Death. Botz photographed a series of miniature crime scene models that were built in the 1940s and 50s by progressive criminologist and heiress Frances Glessner Lee to help detectives learn to better assess visual evidence.  

The Museum of Contemporary Photography is free and is located at 600 S Michigan Ave Hours are: Mon-Sa, 10am – 5pm, Thur 10-8pm+ Sun 12-5pm