Exhibition Archive
Preston Jackson: Julieanne's Descendants
Images from the
Closet Trunk
February 27 – April 12, 2009
About the Show
Julieanne’s Descendants: Images from the Closet Trunk is an exhibition featuring twenty recent cast bronze sculptures. Each is a composite creation - partly rooted in family reminiscences of Jackson’s ancestors and partly rooted in the artist’s own historical research into the unsettling times in which they lived.In reclaiming these nearly forgotten lives, Jackson creates larger-than-life personages, whom he casts in heroic gestures against the backdrop of brutality, greed and slavery that dominated the cultural and economic landscape of the American south from the late 19th century into the early 20th century. Each of the sculptures is paired with a written narrative also gleaned from reminiscence and research. These invaluable narrations, which Jackson describes as "historical fictions," provide essential reading for an understanding of the artist’s work.
Description written by Garrett Holg, writer for ARTnews and former art critic for the Chicago Sun-Times.
About the Reception
This event is free and open to the public. Refreshments served. Music by Magic Carpet.About the Artist
Preston Jackson was chosen a 1998 Laureate of the Lincoln Academy of Illinois, the highest honor given to individuals in the State. A professor of sculpture at the School of the Art Institute in Chicago, Jackson is the head of the figurative area and has served as chair of the Sculpture Department. In the course of his duties there, he of course influences developing artists and encourages their commitment to excellence and continuing growth. He also has made efforts to diversify both the staff of the Art Institute and the students, in an attempt to bring the study of art to a broader audience.Jackson’s personal work reflects his concern about the direction society is taking, and common themes are protests against war, racism, sexism, violence and injustice. Jackson is an amazingly prolific artist, and his work is varied and wide-ranging. He creates bronze figurative work, monumental steel sculpture and small abstract pieces as well as two-dimensional work. Jackson's Bronzeville to Harlem installation represents an energetic era emphasizing the flavor of the neighborhoods depicted. Jackson’s work often examines our collective past and present in an historical and philosophical sense.
Publications & Media
Exhibition Checklist
- The Souvenir, 2008, Cast Bronze, 13” x 14” x 45”
- The Escape, 2008, Cast Bronze, 12” x 32” x 29”
- Jubilation, 2008, Cast Bronze Relief, 40” x 30”
- Funeral of Old Massa, 2007, Cast Bronze, 18” x 20” x 16”
- Blackleg Gal, 2007, Cast Bronze, 18” x 14” x 36”
- Who Am I?, 2007, Cast Bronze, 12” x 13” x 31”
- Jolly and the Baby Moses, 2007, Cast Bronze, 14” x 21” x 21”
- Musings, 2007, Cast Bronze, 12” x 14” x 28”
- Who Dat?, 2007, Cast Bronze, 27” x 10” x 24”
- De Footwarmin’ Chile, 2007, Cast Bronze, 16” x 12” x 16”
- Ambiguous Encounter, 2007, Cast Bronze, 21” x 11” x 25”
- Homegoin’, 2007, Cast Bronze, 21” x 17” x 39”
- Danger on Mule Head Island, 2007, Cast Bronze, 17" x 15" x 21"
- Six Fingers, 2006, Cast Bronze, 14” x 16” x 32”
- Maria’s Walk, 2006, Cast Bronze, 12” x 25” x 31”
- Dressing Miz Eve, 2005, Cast Bronze, 24” x 10” x 36”
- Claire Michele, 2005, Cast Bronze, 12” x 12” x 36”
- The Emerald Tree Boa, 2005, Cast Bronze, 18” x 20” x 36”
- Corinne Nitel, 2004, Cast Bronze, 32” x 16” x 36”
- Julieanna & T.J. Boykin, 2003, Cast Bronze, 25” x 18” x 20”
All dimensions measure width by depth by height
Pieces on Display
[ click on a thumbnail below to see larger image ]
Jubilation, 2008
Cast Bronze Relief, 40in x 30in
Cast Bronze Relief, 40in x 30in
On View
February 26 -- April 11, 2010
Beyond Pixeltorialism:
Digital Imaging in the 21st Century
Reception: Friday, February 26, 7-9 pm
