An Emotional Archive is a collection of memories that relational artist Dennissa Young has been gathering since she was young. This assortment includes a small selection from the thousands of items Dennissa has.

Fifty most precious things were selected that represent joy, heartbreak, hardship and friendship.The gallery is transformed into an immersive space of nostalgia, memory and reflection. These keepsakes are publicized and cataloged, defining their emotional significance and capturing information such as subject, title and date acquired.

An Emotional Archive invites the audience to insert themselves in the artist’s life by entering into common spaces and examining their own lives. The work is displayed leading up to Dennissa’s thirtieth birthday and she hopes to continue these monumental displays of the Emotional Archive at her sixtieth and ninetieth birthdays.

Our opening reception from 6-9pm is free to attend! From 6:30-7pm we’ll hold an artist talk between Dennissa Young and Curator Whitney LaMora.

The Martin has one step up into the gallery – if attendees require no steps they may enter in through Split-Rail to access the gallery. The Martin and Split-Rail both have ADA restrooms.

Want to dine at Split-Rail before or after you visit the gallery? We recommend making a reservatWant to dine at Split-Rail before or after your visit to the gallery? We recommend making a reservationWant to dine at Split-Rail before or after your visit to the gallery? We recommend making a reservation.

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ABOUT THE ARTIST

Dennissa Young is a Chicago-based, Native New Mexican, relational artist and curator. With projects focusing on friendship, connection and collaborating, she has exhibited all across the US (Rock Hill, Boston and Charlotte to name a few), and internationally (from Bogota, Colombia to Istanbul, Turkey). She has been featured in numerous publications, including CLTure, Broadening the Narrative Podcast, York County Magazine, and the Art | Tea Podcast. Dennissa’s work strives to foster intimacy, radical softness, and capture the spiritual journey of humanity. Her artistic practice creates time, space and honesty, where audience members can engage and participate however they see fit. In 2022, Dennissa has creatively contributed to The Martin, Belong Gallery and The Franklin Outdoor, and started a podcast with her art bestie about the art world, friendship and everything in between. Check out Due to the Current Situation on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, Google or Amazon. You can find her work at dennissayoung.com.

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Tags: An Emotional Archive, Chicago, Dennissa Young, The Martin, West Town