GRAFT: Work inspired by Noelle Allen (MFA '04)
A group show within a solo show, GRAFT features the latest work from artist Noelle Allen (MFA '04) as well as contributions from artists:
Claire Ashley (MFA '95)
Karen Azarnia (MFA '08)
Aimee Beaubien
Erin Minckley Chlagmo (Post-Bac drawing & painting '09, MFA fiber and material studies '12)
Anne Harris
Allison Reimus
Melody Saraniti (MFA '09)
Tess Farris
Christine Remy GRAFT will be on view at Comfort Station from Nov. 8 - Nov. 30, 2014 Family Friendly Reception: Nov. 8th from 4 - 8pm
Opening reception to take place the first Saturday in November from 4pm - 8pm at Comfort Station (2579 N. Milwaukee) More info on GRAFT: Graft is a curatorial experiment that will feature work from contributing artists that are influential to, or inspired by, Allen’s artistic practice. For GRAFT, artist Noelle Allen, together with Chicago curator MK Meador, explore the concept of grafting and how it relates to a multi-faceted art contemporary practice. As a horticultural process, grafting involves taking a sample from one plant to fuse and propagate another. For GRAFT, Allen has assembled and reconceptualized older drawings and photograms that date from earlier in her artistic career - before having children and a full-time teaching commitment. Viewing these moments as pivotal turning points in her practice, Allen’s newly realized drawings are, in a very real sense, grafts from her own work. By fusing old work with new, Allen is physically and conceptually bridging two very different time periods.
Looking at Allen’s work as artist, educator, mentor and mother, Meador and Allen conceived of a show as a curatorial experiment that would invite artists to participate and further explore the notion of grafting. These selected artists will respond to her most recent drawings by contributing a piece of their own for the exhibit at Comfort Station. By grafting the work from these notable Chicago artists, the exhibition will challenge the dichotomy of solo show versus group show models. The GRAFT project will include and document multiple stages of the collaboration between the artists, eventually resulting in a catalogue with interviews, images, and text. Noelle Allen is Associate professor of sculpture at Dominican University, Noelle Allen has recently exhibited her work this past year alone at Furman University, Marquette Cultural Center, Terrain, Riverside Art Center, Design Cloud, and the 22nd Annual Evanston+Vicinity Biennial. For more about Noelle Allen’s work, please visit: noelleallen.com