Black Arts
@ Roxaboxen Exhibitions
2130 W. 21st Chicago, IL 60608
Opening Friday, May 4th, from 7PM - 10PM
On view through Saturday, June 2nd
APRIL 29 – JUNE 2
Black Arts is a collection of work celebrating women artists as ushers of this fertile season and intuitive interpreters of their environment. Referencing Neo-pagan traditions, where women are beacons of spring renewal, this show offers a medley of stalwart individuals whose work is a reflection of their unique character and strives for authentic thinking. The objects and images in this show emulate the new spring soil through a monochromatic black palette and act as icons of these of these creators’ complex personal mythologies.
The archetypal witch figure—like the Italian Bufana, the Christmas witch, Roman Diana, goddess of moon and hunt, witches of Caribbean and Haitian cultures, and even many interpretations Christian Mary—anchor the female to nature, fertility, growth and rebirth. In these positive representations, witches possess qualities of a shaman allied with nature and generators of communal ideals through personal mysticism. Since the beginning of colonial America, “witch” has been a derisive term for the strong, solitary, and independent female. “Witches”, because they expressed themselves in ways alternative to the gender female identity of puritan Christianity, were prosecuted for making personal myths, culture, and ritual counter to normative society. The contemporary female artist’s function is parallel to the independent, curious, mystical witch. Artists’ magic is enabled through the generation of images and objects that recontextualize popular culture and diverge from mainstream seeing. Their ritualistic practice takes place in the studio and the gallery, conjuring symbolic language and object numinosity. The work in Black Arts offers the viewer meditations and intimations that may act as inspiration in the making of their own personal magic.
ARTISTS:
SARAH MOSK, CAROLINE CARLSMITH,
REBECCA BEACHY, LAUREN EDWARDS,
SOPHIA CARA FRYDMAN DIXON, EMILY GREEN, LAUREN BECK, ROBIN HUSTLE, ELLEN NIELSEN, MEG NOE, JENNY KENDLER, MELISSA DEMASAUKAS, ALEX CHITTY, MEGAN DIDDIE,CAROLINE PICARD.
curated by Liz McCarthy
Official Website
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