Evanston Art Center presents “Abstraction as Metaphor”

Abstraction as Metaphor: The Paintings of Corey Postiglione & Kathie Shaw

EXHIBITION DATES: February 26 – April 3, 2022
OPENING RECEPTION: Sunday, March 6 from 1–4pm
GALLERY HOURS: Monday¬¬–Friday, 9am–6pm; Saturday and Sunday, 9am–4pm

EVANSTON ART CENTER ANNOUNCES AN EXHIBITION OF WORKS BY COREY POSTIGLIONE AND KATHIE SHAW

Painting, including abstraction, has been around too long to hold surprises, at least in the area of pictorial innovation, which was its hallmark historically. This could be regarded as the current challenge for painting and for abstraction in particular. Whereas painting continues unabated with no signs of disappearing, the question remains how to make it vital, not only in terms of pictorial seduction, but also in the area of content. This is one of the particular dilemmas for abstraction.

The work of Corey Postiglione and Kathie Shaw is not only about itself and the sheer formal optical experience uncomplicated by any outside issues. The use of abstract imagery readily embraces issues such as themes of globalization, not only for the individual, but for the society at large. For these two artists the resultant dynamics of spiritual, societal, cultural, and environmental degradation is represented in the metaphoric language of abstract art.

How does the viewer decode this work? Often meaning is revealed through titles or through some element of the composition. The goal for both of these artists is to create work that is seductive enough to draw the viewer in, and hopefully to inspire the viewer enough to ponder the current complexities of socio-political and environmental realities.

ABOUT THE ARTISTS
Since the 1970s, Corey Postiglione has exhibited professionally with over twenty solo exhibitions and numerous group shows both nationally and internationally. His critical writing has been published in Artforum, The New Art Examiner, Dialogue, and C-Magazine (Toronto). He is currently Professor Emeritus in the Department of Art and Art History at Columbia College Chicago, where he taught Art History and Critical Theory and studio for over 25 years. The artist is represented by the following galleries: Springboard Arts Chicago; Space Gallery, Denver, Colorado; and Westbrook Modern, Carmel CA. More work can be seen on his website: coreypostiglione.com

Kathie Shaw was born and raised in Pennsylvania. After receiving a BFA in Photography from Pennsylvania State University, she moved to Chicago where she received her MFA in Painting and Drawing from the School of the Art Institute of Chicago. Eventually she also received a Master of Architecture degree from the University of Illinois Chicago. The impetus for her most recent work comes from current events. In 2020 Covid-19 provided the catalyst for a series of Crayola crayon drawings entitled Chaos. The year 2021 has resulted in a series entitled Sanctuary, a shift in emphasis toward a pure systemic geometry representing a drawing inward.

Abstraction as Metaphor will be on display in the Evanston Art Center’s Second Floor Gallery + Atrium from February 26 – April 3, 2022, with an opening reception on Sunday, March 6 from 1-4pm. The exhibition and opening reception are free and open to the public. This project is partially funded by the Illinois Arts Council, a state agency, and EAC’s general membership.

Evanston Art Center, a nonprofit 501 (c)(3) organization, is dedicated to fostering the appreciation and expression of the arts among diverse audiences. The Art Center offers extensive and innovative instruction in broad areas of artistic endeavor through classes, exhibitions, interactive arts activities, and community outreach initiatives.

Evanston Art Center is located at 1717 Central Street, Evanston, IL. Evanston Art Center Gallery Hours: Monday–Friday, 9am–6pm; Saturday and Sunday, 9am–4pm. First and second floor gallery spaces are accessible. Limited free parking is available.

Due to COVID-19 protocol, when arriving at the EAC during our Gallery Hours, all visitors are required to wear face mask and provide proof of vaccination upon entry. Please adhere to 6′ social distancing requirements when in the gallery space.

For more information, please visit us online at www.evanstonartcenter.org or contact Cara Feeney, Director of Exhibitions, at (847) 475-5300 or cfeeney@evanstonartcenter.org. Visit the Evanston Art Center on Facebook: www.facebook.com/EvanstonArtCenter/, follow us on Twitter: www.twitter.com/#!/evartcenter, or on Instagram: @EvanstonArtCenter.

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