"Iron Pastorals," opens Fri. Nov. 6th at 360SEE

Iron Pastorals new paintings by Curtis Frillmann

with functional art pieces by Jesse Hooker

11.6.09 - 12.15.09

Opening reception with the artists Friday 11.6.09 6-9pm 

Known for his recycled paintings, in this new series of work, Curtis Frillmann employs salvaged sheet metal to create canvases that evoke the memory of Chicago's farmland roots on formed remnants of today's industrialized world.  Frillmann builds up surfaces on formally constructed found metal canvases to reflect the struggle of savage and urbane forces and to illustrate the influence man has over the land.

In Frillmann's words, Iron Pastorals  simply means, "paintings of rural and natural scenes on discards objects of industry and culture." 

The title of the series of work was inspired by a book of poetry by almost the same name, “The Iron Pastoral” published in 1947 by Chicago poet John Frederick Nims.

Like other writers of the time, Nims observed how Chicago had grown out of the meeting of prairie and lakeshore into a discordant field of buildings and commerce.

Frillmann explains, "By recycling objects, themes and even the title of the show, I express how contemporary images and objects can mingle with traditional forms, just as the modern world today mingles so closely with the natural world.  I confront the idea of what is valuable in our society.  While my work shows an underlying concern for our environment, it also seeks to reveal something beautiful.  Thus, the multidimensionality of materials, overall image, and message reflect my aim to unveil layers of our reality, and to acknowledge the wonder of how things are so much more than they appear."

Furrniture maker and artist Jesse Hooker has created three functional art pieces for exhibition at 360SEE. Eleanor and Eleanor B are a settee and bench beautifully constructed from salvaged antique yellow pine slabs and upholstered with the original back seat and interior from a 1969 Ford Mustang fastback. (Pictured) 

Lola is a coffee table inspired by the book "Lolita" by Vladamir Nabakov.  The piece is also made from salvaged antique yellow pine and incorporates letterpress inlay from the first line of the novel and has a hidden drawer lined with an original photograph.

Note: This is a cut n' pasted press release. 360SEE is located at 1924 N. Damen.