Khumbulani Mpofu, Trees

Dumela Contemporary African Art’s 2013 summer show opens this Friday, June 7.  The exhibition will be on view at August House Studio featuring original paintings, textiles, and a wide variety of vibrant, evocative work in all media by emerging and established artists from Zimbabwe, Kenya, and South Africa. 

Dumela has just one public show each year where visitors can see which pieces Dumela co-owners Leila Green and Nancy McDaniel have hand-picked from their recent travels.  The duo has established relationships with African artists from whom the work is purchased, and each piece is then custom framed locally in Chicago.

June 7-30

Opening reception on Friday, June 7, 5:30-9pm

August House Studio | 2113 W. Roscoe, Chicago, IL 60618

Check out the exhibition during studio hours: Fridays 5-9pm; Saturdays 1-6pm; Sunday 12-6pm; or contact Nancy McDaniel (773-477-2404 or email) to schedule a private viewing appointment.

Dumela’s Adventures from the past year...

In August 2012, Nancy made a trip to Zimbabwe and Zambia with two objectives: to buy art in Harare and to go on a week-long safari. It was a most successful trip on both accounts.  She met with a number of Dumela’s favorite artists including Charles Nkomo, David Chinyama, Khumbu Mpofu and Tendai Gurupira (an impressive watercolorist whom Dumela hadn’t seen in a number of years).  She also met with two women from the Weya Women’s Co-operative, from whom she purchased a number of “sadza” paintings (on fabric) as well as appliqués.  With this type of work, the artist translates a story and hides it somewhere on each piece.

Leila went to South Africa on safari in March and also met with a number of artists, both South African and Zimbabwean, in Johannesburg. The opportunity to meet new young artists being mentored by current, more established Dumela artists is always a treat. On this trip, Leila met Zenzo Siamenda and Petros Mwenga and bought work from each, which will be in the June show. 

October brought Dumela a fun opportunity back in Illinois, exhibiting work in the ART + VISION series at Spex Eyewear in Oak Park.

Zachariah Mukwira, Hard Workers; Barry Lungu, Sorting Tomatoes

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! 

têtê-à-têtê:
noun
1.) a private conversation between two people 
2.)small sofa that seats two people

adjective
1.) involving two persons; intimately private;

Last Thursday I was fortunate enough to be able to attend a series of lectures and events related to the grand opening of têtê-à-têtê a group show curated by painter and photographer, Mickalene Thomas, at Rhona Hoffman Gallery. The show includes a fantastic array of photographic works by both African and African-American artists, artists: Derrick Adams, Jayson Keeling, Deana Lawson, Zanele Muholi, Clifford Owens, Mahlot Sansosa, Malick Sidibe, Xaviera Simmons, Hank Willis Thomas, and Mickalene Thomas herself. Beautifully chosen, I was pleased to see the selection of images joined together throughout the gallery. Walking through, one can clearly see the conversation within individual works and the dialogue that was happening between separate works.
This show asks for us to consider the conceptual idea of the black body and what that means in today’s society, as the curator is interested in the performative way in which male artists use their physical presence and body in relation to the viewer, and the way many female artists view themselves through the gaze of another.

The opening itself was amazing. I can't even describe to you the honor and appreciation I felt for having all of the participating artists (with the exception of Hank Willis Thomas) in the same room, here in Chicago. Many reputable figures showed up, including Dawoud Bey, Theaster Gates, Barbara DeGenevieve, and art critics and theorists such as Naomi Beckwith, Kim Pynder, and Romi Crawford. It's interesting to me how the entire show came togethre full circle, highlighting this idea of intimacy and dialogue between genders, from the luncheon with Mickalene Thomas, to the art work, to the opening night.

If you haven't gone out to see the show yet, I would certainly encourage you to do so as soon as possible. The exhibition is up through May 5th.

For more information on the exhibition visit:
http://www.rhoffmangallery.com/

Rhona Hoffman Gallery
118 North Peoria Street
Chicago, Illinois 60607

This weekend is an exciting time for art lovers in Chicago. The annual SOFA CHICAGO is back, now with an extra emphasis on art & design. Visit Navy Pier Friday-Sunday to see a wide range of art presented by international galleries and dealers. You’ll find many rare objects and works of art, as well as have access to outstanding lectures. Experts are around every corner, so the opportunities to learn and explore are endless. Once again SOFA is partnering with The Intuit Show of Folk & Outsider Art, so you may enjoy two fairs under a single roof. 

Visit sofaexpo.com to learn more about special exhibits and lectures at the fair to get the most out of your visit. This year’s lectures (click here for info) range from The Bluffer’s Guide to European Jewelry to Cartooning In Conflict: An Illustration of the Futility of War and It's the End of the World As We Know It...But My Art is Fine! A guide to protecting your art. Most of the lectures take place Friday and Saturday, with just one on Sunday, so plan ahead if you’re hoping to get in on the learning. Lectures are included with admission.  Tickets to the fair are available online, or at the door.  

There is certainly enough activity to keep you busy all three days this weekend.  Play hooky and come to the fair on Friday, or just wait until after work and catch some gallery openings Friday evening. Chicago Gallery News is providing a courtesy shuttle between SOFA, the Museum of Contemporary Art + the River North Gallery District all weekend. The shuttles will take you to openings on Friday.  On Saturday evening, there will be an extra stop at KM Fine Arts for their special fall exhibition, Eyes Wide Shut. KM Fine Arts is located on the 25^th floor the John Hancock Center, so you’ll have a fabulous view of the city and the lakefront from the gallery, not to mention cocktails! 

Several galleries in the River North District will have extended hours all weekend (including on Sunday!) and many will be holding opening receptions Friday evening. Take the free shuttle to Franklin + Superior and enjoy the opportunity to visit the culturally rich River North District where streets are lined with galleries and great restaurants. 

River North Gallery District

SOFA + Shuttle Hours

Friday: 11am-7pm  •  Shuttle: 12-7pm

Saturday 11am-7pm  •  Shuttle: 12-7pm

Sunday 12-6pm  •  Shuttle: 11am-2pm

For more information about SOFA and galleries visit: Chicagogallerynews.com

Chicago Humanities Festival is a great organization that works to give people of all ages opportunities to continuously explore the humanities. They host annual festivals like the fall Chicago Humanities Festival, the spring stages, sights and sounds festival, and variety of programs throughout the year that promote the study of the humanities. They are focused on making the humanities a vital and vibrant part of every day life through encouraging people to get involved. The Chicago Humanities Festival was founded by a group of people that believed that the humanities was a rich asset to everyone, and the intention of creating a day devoted to the humanities turned into a festival. Throughout the years many notable artists and performers have come to the festivals or participated in events held at the center. There are a constant source of events highlighting literature and the visual arts, creating great opportunities to get involved.

The month of October has no shortage of great lectures, and from the list of topics everyone is bound to find something that sparks their interest. On Sunday October 16th art historian S. Hollis, Clayson is presenting Shedding Artificial Light on Art History from 3:30 to 4:30. This lecture discusses the French Impressionists fascination with light, and the influences that the incandescent light bulb had on the Parisian artists when introduced in 1881 to Paris. The event is held at Harris Hall in room 107 and is $5.00 for general admission and free for faculty and students.

On Sunday October 23rd, African historian Emily Osborn's lecture Melting Pot: African Culture, studies the continents' past though a variety of methodical tools and approaches. Her next book Recycling Traditions: Aluminum Casting and the Making of a Modern African Diaspora offers a history of technology transfer and diffusion. She looks at the social and cultural history of Africa when discussing the way in which the indigenous people re-use material in creative interpretations, for example using scrap metal to make cookware. Don’t miss this fascinating lecture from 12:30 to 1:30 at The Law School, Glen A. in the Lloyd Auditorium. General Admission is $5.00 and free for faculty and students.

Going into the month of November, you don’t want to miss art detective Francesca Casadio’s CSI: Picasso. Casadio is the senior conservationist at the Art Institute of Chicago and a chemist. She recalls her latest adventure in solving the mystery about Picasso’s paint. She talks of examples from the Art Institute all the way to Southern France, highlighting his works and revealing technology that is rewriting art history. This will be held at the Chicago Cultural Center in the Claudia Cassidy Theater on November 6th from 12:00 to 1:00 pm.

Be sure to check out the list of events at the Chicago Humanities Festival and take advantage of one of Chicago’s greatest resources.