Monica Brown's "The Kiss II" at the Quad City Arts Gallery -- May 8 through June 20
Exhibit: Friday, May 9, through Friday, June 20
Opening Reception: Friday, May 9, 6 – 8 p.m.
Quad City Arts Center, 1715 Second Avenue, Rock Island IL
Exploring themes of place and time by highlighting the Earth and capturing fragments of memories in paint, fiber, and clay, a trio of Midwestern artisans enjoy a collective exhibition at Rock Island's Quad City Arts Center from May 9 through June 20, the Brown, Lennox, & Wenthe exhibit boasting Afrofuturist art by Monica Brown, quilted art by Cheryl Lennox, and ceramic sculpture by Elissa Wenthe.
Chicago artist Monica Brown blends Afro-surrealism, abstraction, and elements of pop art into her paintings. Her current body of work explores the themes of time and memory, which she is calling Mythical Memory. This series asks questions such as, “What does time do to memory, and memory to time?” and “How much power lives in a moment, and how many moments are needed to fulfill a journey?” Through her works, Brown invites viewers to ask more questions and seek answers.
Cheryl Lennox of Erie, Illinois, compiles scraps of fabric and worn clothing to create quilted works of art that bring awareness to the rising issue of textile overconsumption. It is estimated that 92 million tons of textiles end up in landfills annually. Lennox attempts to reduce her contribution to this statistic with this series which she calls Earth Fragments. She states, “My collection furthers awareness and promotes positive change to protect God’s amazing masterpiece, the place we call home – Earth.”
Ceramicist Elissa Wenthe is from Fayette, Iowa. Her organic work is built from coiled and pinched hand-building techniques, and she explores historical ceramic traditions in her practice. By forming, glazing, and firing terracotta clay, she preserves the fleeting beauty of the earth. Wenthe aims to “reflect the organic patterns found in nature, embracing the irregularities brought by decay, wilt, and dormancy” and “evoke a sense of connection to nature, to history, and to the intimate process of making."
An opening reception for Brown, Lennox, & Wenthe will be held on May 9 from 6 to 8 p.m., an event in which attendees will have the opportunity to meet the artists and enjoy refreshments as they explore the gallery. The exhibition itself will be on display at the Rock Island gallery through through June 20, regular gallery hours are Mondays through Fridays 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. and Saturdays 11 a.m. to 5 p.m., and admission is free. For more information, call (309)793-1213 and visit QuadCityArts.com.
