The Center of Order and Experimentation (COE) is a store that does more. Thank you @jeanmcate and @moldogceramics for speaking with me about this superlative for the @chicago_reader . Chicago, COE supports local artists so you should support them! @orderandexperimentation 🌐🕯️☕️
I laughed so much researching & writing this story about ten years of Western Pole for the @chicago_reader . Thank you Jesse @marmblatt for your commitment to this work, Brian @patientinfo for hosting the exhibition, Kerry @booksnotboyz for great edits, and Jen @jendelosreyes , Jessica @jessica_campbell_art , Lia @liairenekohl , and Max @leaf_bootleg for your interviews. Thank you to all 300(ish) artists who have participated in Western Pole over the past decade. I am very grateful (on the eve of Official American Gratitude Day™️, no less!) to live in Chicago and be in community with so many creative, resilient, and dogged as hell folks.
Last slide is a Mariame Kaba quote (from a 2018 episode of Beyond Prisons) that didn't make the story but deeply informed the writing.
A love letter to this exhibition, these artists, & the city of Chicago during a dark period in our collective history. Thanks editor @booksnotboyz for letting me be corny in the @chicago_reader .
"Hope is a discipline" - Mariame Kaba
Available now @buddy.chicago is the catalogue for two hundred and fifty-one days on view now through May 18! A solo exhibition by @bryanabibbs and @elise_butterfield at the @chicagoculturalcenter the catalogue features essays by @funerin@elise_butterfield and @bryanabibbs
Installation photography by @tonals.corner
Link in bio to purchase or pick one up today!
•••
Soft Cover
Pages: 164
Installation photography by: Tonal Simmons
Essays by: Elise Butterfield, Erin Toale, and Bryana Bibbs
Published and designed by: Bryana Bibbs
$35 (shipping calculated at checkout)
You'd be hard pressed to find a bigger fan of @theandicrist than me. She works so hard, looks out for everyone in her orbit, and has developed a truly unique style and practice. It was a pleasure to write about Andi for @newcitymag 's annual Breakout Artist issue. Congratulations to all of this year's artists and shoutout to all the contributing writers!
For @chicago_reader Best of Chicago 2024: Native Futures and mythical fountains!
Best Indigenous arts organization - Center for Native Futures
Best northwest-side local landmark and lore - Schiller Woods magic water pump
In today's @chicago_reader : a profile of the BTS (as in behind-the-scenes) boys over at @bob.mov . It feels groovy to celebrate their work, which in turn celebrates so many. Chicago, I love you, let's keep going.
Stepping into 2025 with new headshots/portraits by the talented Ash Dye - who made the whole process very straightforward (there WAS a moodboard [slide 9]) and comfortable. You should hire Ash for your photography needs. @_ash_dye_
Also did a big website update [slide 10]. I wrote a lot in 2024. Hoping to keep that up.
Hair by @jessi_doesthegoodhair (you already know) and 💅🏻 by Kayla at @tnailbar
I loved talking to Isabelle and Karsten about this exhibition at the Renaissance Society. Maybe you will like reading about it? Some secrets revealed! Online and in print today! Page-mates with editor extraordinaire Kerry Cardoza's great story about the "cerebral" and overlooked painter Gertrude Abercrombie in the print weekly. Swipe for me haunting the cabin by Laurel.
Last of 24/First of 25! Two recent reviews in the Reader @chicago_reader :
Flirt with tedium at quintessential 90s kid Andi Crist’s fun, funny, functional solo at Tiger Strikes Asteroid (through 1/18). @theandicrist@tsa_chi
Dive into the diverting and dishy Frank Lloyd Wright show at the Driehaus Museum for insight into his interpersonal relationships and how they influenced (and sometimes hindered) his practice. @driehausmuseum
This Sunday at 1 pm join me @21chotelchicago for the next talk in our On Creative Practice series. Arts and culture writer Erin Toale will be in conversation with textile artist Bryana Bibbs to discuss artistic practice, the importance of family history and how to make a life as an artist.
Bryana’s work is currently on display in Gallery 3 as a part of the Elevate series at 21c Chicago and this will be the last opportunity to see her work before the exhibition ends.
I hope you’re able to join us for this compelling and intimate conversation.
@funerin@bryanabibbs
#chicagoartists #21cmuseumhotel #contemporaryart
![Stepping into 2025 with new headshots/portraits by the talented Ash Dye - who made the whole process very straightforward (there WAS a moodboard [slide 9]) and comfortable. You should hire Ash for your photography needs. @_ash_dye_Also did a big website update [slide 10]. I wrote a lot in 2024. Hoping to keep that up.Hair by @jessi_doesthegoodhair (you already know) and by Kayla at @tnailbar](https://sp1.picnob.com/p/pt_6741706555167364687048_0_574e8f96abeccee38c9ee0796f5d308f.jpg?o=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&h=e51165095e02fefdfb684db57a003a2a)
