The Wall: Painting From The Shadows

Robert Hamilton Brown, born in Rockford, Illinois, I attended Rockford Public Schools and graduated from the University of Wisconsin-Madison majoring in Art and Art History. I also have a Master’s Degree in Public Service from Spertus Institute of Jewish Studies.

Upon retiring in 2012, I returned to my art full-time. There is nothing more enjoyable than working with the human figure but also enjoy exploring the urban landscape and interiors found primarily in communities that address the African American urban experience such as South Shore, my home. I am presently exploring and shown here, a legacy series of portraits of younger family members using their “Selfie” photos as a testimony of their importance to me and the community from which they and I come. The series also explores the ever changing nature of families and in my family’s case those changes can be seen through the prism of race, class and religion.

This Exhibit, ‘The Wall: Painting from the Shadows,’ also addresses my need to express my appreciation of art and the African American in portraiture and community as seen through my life experiences while speaking to the larger issue of acceptance of self. With this in mind, ‘Painting from the Shadows,’ addresses the demons which we all have but personally, my need to finally address my own. This, brings me to my self-portrait entitled: ‘Portrait of an Imperfect Man.’ Of all the work shown, this was by far the one painting that comes the closest to understanding the complicated person found in that painting. It also was, by far, the most challenging of all the paintings to complete.

The viewer will find added portraits and drawings of friends of my Rockford family and one or two from Chicago, many from what are called the, ‘old families of Rockford, Illinois’ (arriving between 1850 and 1925) and in one way or another, have added to my life experiences.

‘The Wall: Painting from the Shadows’ exhibition, will have the first two paintings from a series entitled: ‘The South Shore Suite.’ This series will move to address my impression of the complex South Shore neighborhood where I choose to live. I hope to capture the beauty of a community under transition, the old alongside the new. All works will have as its subject matter, the urban landscape between South South Shore Drive and Jeffery Streets along 71st Street. Once this series is completed, the plan is to exhibit the six to ten canvases as a group in about a year. ‘71st and Merrill’ and ‘The Gate at South Shore Cultural Center’ are the first two paintings to be completed from this series.
At some point, we must all look into our soul to ask the question of relevance and self-worth. To address the need to know, have I left something, anything that may better someone else and justify ones existence. While painting my portrait, I had the opportunity to review my strengths and weaknesses and at the end of painting “myself,” have begun to resolve the inner questions regarding the reality, of self.

Studio 71 1834 East 71st Street, Chicago, IL
Saturday, October 1st thru Monday, October 31st
Hours of operation are 12 noon to 5:00 pm
Monday thru Saturday closed on Sundays

Official Website

More events on this date

Tags: Chicago, Robert H Brown, South Shore, Studio 71, The Wall Painting From The Shadows