"The Winter Tiger"

         Today I visited the DePaul Art Museum. The gallery had just recently opened this past year and contains many interesting and unique pieces of work. One painting that particularly caught my attention was "The Winter Tiger" by Tony Fitzpatrick. Using graphite, ink, and pigment, Fitzpatrick was an underdog of art. His fierce and bold ways of storytelling makes him a visionary artist, poet, and performer. He gives a voice to the nameless.

"The Winter Tiger"
by Tony Fitzpatrick

            When asked why the moth was used as a symbolic statement in "The Winter Tiger" Fitzpatrick states, "I returned to making moths because they still speak to me in a way that sends ice through my veins..." 

            The moth is strategically placed in the middle and takes up most of the canvas. Inside we see skulls and a cross placed at the head. In the background, buildings are visible along with symbols relating to time. This includes a clock and the saying "Tick Tock". There is also, in the corner, the word "DRUGS". Is Fitzpatrick trying to tell us something about time and using it wisely? We can only imagine. Check out more of Tony Fitzpatrick's works at DePaul Art Museum or on his online site! 

http://museums.depaul.edu/

http://tonyfitzpatrick.wordpress.com/ 

In my painting class at Columbia, I decided to use a cubist style for my most recent oil piece. It started as a still life of an empty spaghetti jar, a clementine, and a cinnamon container. It is still in progress.

Cubism is considered a 20th century avant-garde art movement. Varieties of shapes and angles are formed to fit and make a rather abstract sense of depth, while retaining a flat image. Some of the considered founders are Pablo Picasso and Georges Barque. Viewpoints in Cubism are looked at in a few different phases: Analytic, Synthetic, and Sculptural. 

-Emily

“Feast: Radical Hospitality in Contemporary Art.”

Last week I got the opportunity to visit the Smart Museum of Art over in Hyde Park. The exhibition opening taking place that evening was, “Feast: Radical Hospitality in Contemporary Art.” The show shared work from over thirty artists since the 1930s. The artists shared their experiences of eating and food through a variety of different mediums.

The museum was crowded the whole evening. Outside was an “Enemy Kitchen” food truck serving complimentary Iraqi food. I immediately grabbed some and it was pretty good. (see photo)

I would recommend stopping by to see this exhibition. It certainly brought a different kind of enlightenment to me. Finding unique ways to connect an artist with everyday living can be a challenge. I was happy to be there, and fulfilled when leaving. The exhibition runs until June 10^th, you have plenty of time to make it!

E

Artists:

Feast includes art, documentary materials, and new public projects by Marina Abramović and Ulay, Sonja Alhäuser, Mary Ellen Carroll, Fallen Fruit, Theaster Gates, Felix Gonzalez-Torres, InCUBATE, The Italian Futurists, Mella Jaarsma, Alison Knowles, Suzanne Lacy, Lee Mingwei, Laura Letinsky, Tom Marioni, Gordon Matta-Clark, Mildred's Lane, Julio César Morales and Max La Rivière-Hedrick, motiroti, National Bitter Melon Council, Ana Prvacki, Sudsiri Pui-Ock, Michael Rakowitz, Ayman Ramadan, Red76, David Robbins, Allen Ruppersberg, Bonnie Sherk, Barbara T. Smith, Daniel Spoerri, Rirkrit Tiravanija, and others. (smartmuseum.uchicago.edu/)

Contemporary Drawings from the Irving Stenn Jr. Collection

Being a Visual Arts Management minor I have to take classes that allow me to explore the visual arts world more in depth. I am constantly going to different galleries, museums and other non-profit organizations.

Last weekend I had the opportunity to check out an exhibit at the Art Institute entitled the Contemporary Drawings from the Irving Stenn Jr. Collection. Located in the Jean and Steven Goldman Prints and Drawings Galleries in the Richard and Mary L. Gray Wing, the exhibit is on display from November 19, 2011-February 26, 2012.

The “big idea” for this exhibition is to showcase different drawings that exemplify minimalistic, conceptual, & pop art drawings at its finest from the 1960s that are favorites of Irving Stenn Jr. (or that mean a great deal to him) in a way that can be appreciated by the viewer as well.

The drawing below, entitled 8" Measurement, 1969 is by Mel Bochner and is the drawing that is being marketed by the museum for the exhibition. 

This photo is one I took of outside the exhibition:

I thoroughly enjoyed this exhibit and since it is only on display for another week I suggest you all check it out soon! 

link to :

Art Institute  exhibition page for more info

Mano y Metal

Upon my first day at the gallery I was honored to meet Desiree Castro, designer of Mano y Metal jewelry. Her jewelry, which is featured in Elephant Room, consists of metal stamped bracelets, rings, earrings, necklaces, hair pins, pendants, and tie clips. Each piece of work is hand- crafted with style and love. Desiree is an energetic and bubbly artist, whose love for her work shows through her personality.

Castro, a Chicago native, taught herself to make her unique jewelry. She incorporates themes such as urban influences, chicago,life, amor,and insanity for a playful and vibrant trend. The line, Mano y Metal, started in 2010 and has been growing ever since. Her pieces are definitely one of my favorites to look at and admire!

Mano y Metal can be find at numerous stores in Chicago, including Elephant Room, Inc. Check her out!
Shop: http://www.etsy.com/shop/ManoyMetal
Blog: http://www.manoymetal.blogspot.com/
Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/manoymetaljewelry
Twitter: https://twitter.com/#!/ManoyMetal