Precariat showcases artwork by Angela Davis Fegan , Kiam Marcelo Junio , Betsy Odom , Oli Rodriguez , Amina Ross , Anna Showers-Cruser , Leonard Suryajaya , Ruby Thorkelson and Derrick Woods-Morrow. While these artists have diverse interests and practice, each individual confronts socially constructed ideas – such as beauty, affluence, and gender – within their work. By reclaiming masculine identified materials through feminized craft, exposing how the greed of a few ruins the lives of many, and actively challenge the gaze of the audience, they challenge these social ideals and lead us to consider what it means to live with a multifaceted identity.

In her most recent book Notes Towards a Performative Theory of Assembly, Judith Butler examines the idea of precarity as an idea that inspired the title of the show as a moment that can produce potential alliances among those who do not recognize that they belong to one another, as it is a social and economic condition, not just an identity. Inspired by Butler, the exhibition will also host a series of programs that will expand upon themes within the show and present opportunities to dialogue on difficult issues. Having these opportunities for reflection on histories/herstories can help form stronger creative alliances to move our bodies forward together. Through these public programs it is possible to learn, listen and explore how we might “belong to one another.”

Join us for one of our public programs during the exhibition:

Febuary 6 – 16:
In Plain Sight: A Women’s History of HIV/AIDS in Chicago
A traveling exhibition on display in the Guide Family Creative Wing

February 18:
Space By Proxy: readings and writings for Precariat

February 26:
Drag Ball

March 7:
Disappearing Queer Spaces: A Dialogue

About the Curator

Ariel Gentalen is a Chicago-based curator, writer, and educator interested in socially engaged art practices and interrogating art history through feminist and queer lenses. They are currently the Residency Coordinator at the Hyde Park Art Center, Conference Manager at Third Coast International Audio Festival and HATCH Curatorial Resident at Chicago Artists Coalition. They received their Bachelor’s of Arts in Art History and Women’s Studies from California State University, Fullerton and their Masters of Arts in Arts Education from the School of the Art Institute of Chicago.

Precariat is presented concurrently with the touring exhibition ArtAIDSAmerica, presented by the Alphawood Foundation in Chicago.

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Tags: Amina Ross, Angela Davis Fegan, Anna Showers-Cruser, Ariel Gentalen, Betsy Odom, Chicago, Derrick Woods-Morrow, Hyde Park, Hyde Park Art Center, Kiam Marcelo Junio, Leonard Suryajaya, Oli Rodriguez, Precariat, Ruby Thorkelson