Above Image: Curator Nathan Mason at Chicago Street Art Exhibit

Paint, Paste, Sticker : Chicago Street Art – by Various Artists

Temporary Exhibit: October 19, 2013 – January 12, 2014

Location: Exhibit Hall, 4th Floor of Chicago Cultural Center

Presented by DCASE [Chicago Department of Cultural Affairs & Special Events] in collaboration with, Illinois Arts Council

The exhibit features work from over two dozen artists including Slang, Zore, Ish Muhammad, Hebru Brantley, Uneek, Statik, Brooks Golden, Chris Silva, Your Are Beautiful, Oscar Arriola and an overview of projects by Chicago Urban Art Society & Pawn Works and Galerie F.

 

 

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The works in this exhibition are by a multi-ethnic, intergenerational gathering of Chicago artists, many of whom were first connected by the “L”, and whose disciplines are Graffiti and Street Art. Most of these artists started their careers, simply as youth looking for creative outlets. For some graffiti writing was a way to participate in community and stay out of gangs. Several of these artists now run small businesses, are veterans, teach in public schools, or colleges. Some support their families solely from their artwork, and are showing in galleries and museums internationally. Today, as evidenced by the support of local business, associations and aldermen, artist creating graffiti and street art are embraced as signs of healthy and exciting neighborhoods.

 

 

 

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A really bold and controversial decision by curator Nathan Mason, to exhibit works by graffiti and street artists; considering  the city’s history against graffiti art and the city’s Graffiti Removal Services  click here…

In my brief talk with curator Nathan Mason, I did ask him this question.. and here is the what he said..
“The CTA, and Gallery 37 and the Park District have over the decades done projects that engaged graffiti and street artists. So the city has episodically done things. But this is the first time we have done a big exhibit about it”.

Embracing and exhibiting graffiti art at one of the city’s most prominent location for art exhibition,  seems to be an  interesting development.   The city has long maintained,   [as stated in its website, click here..]..   No community in Chicago has to tolerate graffiti. Please join us in eliminating graffiti and maintaining the beauty of Chicago. How does this statement play against  the  statement in the exhibit..  Today, as evidenced by the support of local business, associations and aldermen, artist creating graffiti and street art are embraced as signs of healthy and exciting neighborhoods.  This exhibition seems to have opened gates for the revival of discussion on street and graffiti art! I feel there will be many lively discourses in the coming days on this topic.. which will be worth following..

Coming back to the exhibition, I met my good friend, and art teacher at Harold Washington college Elena Rakochy, who was there with her students.

 

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For anyone reading this, I would say,
It’s a great exhibition! Go see it!!!
I will sure cover this exhibition in greater details later, with more on the artists.
I would certainly like to meet some of the artists!!!
But for the time-being, here are some more images from the exhibition..

 

 

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PHOTO GALLERY

Paint, Paste, Sticker : Chicago Street Art – by Various Artists

 

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 When the show is over, documentation remains!

RELATED LINKS:
Street Art Stories.. Part I..click here..
Street Art Stories.. Part II.. click here..
Paint Paste Sticker: Chicago Street Art.. Part I.. click here..
Paint Paste Sticker: Chicago Street Art.. Part II.. click here..

 When the show is over, documentation remains!

 

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RELATED LINKS

Exhibitions at Chicago Cultural Center.. click here..
Temporary Exhibitions.. click here..
Home: Public Art in Chicago.. click here..

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