Join us on Saturday, December 2nd from 3-5 pm for an artist talk with contemporary mixed media artist Loretta Bourque!

Light refreshments and snacks will be served – see you there!

ABOUT THE SHOW: Loretta Bourque “slivers” (in Gallery O)

Loretta Bourque’s new body of work is a reflection and contemplation of childhood memories spent in the French Quarter of New Orleans. Throughout the course of its rich and diverse history the French Quarter has all but sounded a siren’s call to eccentric personalities and characters. From the beautiful ladies of the back street bordellos to the gay bars along Burgundy street this little section of the “big easy” is simultaneously seedy, artistic, and magical; a place where everyone can be transformed into anyone.

Wandering through its tiny streets Bourque vividly conjures the smells, music, color, and perspectives from her small statured body as a child. Peeking through the slivers of space between posters and signage, little Loretta observed the disjointed body parts of dancers and patrons through windows and doorways. This sordid yet uniquely bewitching setting, coupled with her religious upbringing, has informed Bourque’s visual language. It is her distinct combination of collage, paint and photo transfer that recreates the surreal aura of the city and permeates the memories of her childhood. Notions of morality, sexuality, and identity are deeply imbedded within the work. Whether it be the eternally glamorous Ms. Owens (a famous NOLA dancer and club owner) or disassembled female body parts with watermelon heads, the artist actively challenges boundaries of decency and explores the dichotomy between seduction and restraint. In a city filled with curiosities, sin lurks in every corner. Bourque’s collages layer all of the above and add a sensuality and melancholy that is profoundly personal.

Originally from New Orleans, Bourque received her BFA in 1991 from the School of the Art Institute of Chicago and her MFA in Painting in 2000 from the University of California at Davis. Loretta has an extensive exhibition record and has shown at galleries and museums across the country as well as internationally including; Tel Aviv, London, Los Angeles, and New York City. She is the recipient of a range of fellowships, awards, and residencies and has appeared in periodicals and publications including New American Paintings, Artnet Magazine, and Flavorpill. Loretta Bourque is an Adjunct Assistant Professor at The School of the Art Institute of Chicago in the department of Contemporary Practices. Prior to teaching at SAIC, she was a visiting artist at Ringling School of Art and Design in Sarasota, FL and preceding RSAD was Assistant Professor at Eastern Illinois University in Charleston. Bourque currently lives and works in Chicago.

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Tags: Artist Talk: Loretta Bourque, Chicago, Linda Warren Projects, Loretta Bourque, near west side, Silvers