Jackson Junge Gallery 1389 N. Milwaukee Ave. Chicago
MEDIA RELEASE
For Immediate Release: March 12, 2010
Contact: Chris Jackson or Lisa Elkuss 773-227-7900
IN BLOOM: FLORAL INTERPRETATIONS
Special Exhibit – Jackson Junge Gallery April 6 - May 16th
Opening Reception Friday, April 9 6pm – 9pm
The Jackson Junge Gallery, 1389 N. Milwaukee Ave., ushers in spring with a veritable garden of artistic diversity. “In Bloom: Floral Interpretations,” a new exhibit on display from April 6 through May 16, 2010, features the work of the gallery’s signature artist Laura Lee Junge and five other local artists.
Chosen pieces represent a range of styles and mediums as diverse as nature itself. This uplifting and playful exhibit incorporates traditional oils, mixed media, digital art, photography, prints and batik; all conforming to the botanic theme. An opening reception, free to the public, will be held on Friday April 9, from 6pm – 9pm.
“Chicagoans embrace the onset of spring with an enthusiasm that manifests itself in so many ways,” says Chris Jackson, co-owner of The Jackson Junge Gallery. “This exhibit is meant to honor that tradition celebrating an annual rite through many different artistic perspectives.”
In addition to Junge, “In Bloom” includes 30 works by local artists Kavan Geary, Jun-Jun Sta. Ana, Kate Hoyer, Sharon Bladholm and Irena Saparnis.
Laura Lee Junge: With twelve oil paintings on display, Junge’s work provides the anchor for “In Bloom.” Her floral creations showcase the distinctive elements of her style; surrealism, vivid color and a swirling sense of movement that brings life to the most placid floral arrangement.
Junge began painting florals early in her career and it is a theme she revisits often. “I have always loved nature and enjoy introducing unexpected motion and life to the scenes I depict.” says Junge. “People often exclaim over the energy and passion my floral paintings exude.”
“While Angels Sleep Your Love Shall Keep,” the icon image for the exhibit, is the last in a series of orchid paintings Junge created in late 2009. The fanciful piece presents floating blossoms atop fragile stems that curl to form a heart pattern. Departing from her usual frenetic backgrounds, this piece incorporates a geometric backdrop with a range of colors suggestive of a rainbow. The painting transitions vertically from dark colors to light in tribute to the cycle of sleep.
Kavan Geary: Residing in Kalamazoo, Michigan, Geary is the one participating artist from outside the immediate Chicago area. His breathtaking floral photographs combine color, texture and light to create flowing, sensual works. Images focus more on the color and pattern of part of his subject (in this case flowers) rather than how the entire subject relates to its environment. His Inflorescence flower collection is based on an extraordinary interplay of light and color. The word inflorescence refers to the budding and unfolding of blossoms.
Jun-Jun Sta. Ana: Sta. Ana relocated to Chicago from his native Philippines in 2006. Since then his digital art has earned recognition across the country. In his botany series, Sta. Ana uses repetition of human figures to create floral images suggestive of traditional Asian brush stroke compositions. His choice of black and grey tones, influenced by sumi-e paintings, is a provocative choice for a subject matter associated with vibrant color.
Kate Hoyer: Hoyer is best known for her canine portraits that combine brilliant color and geometric stripes in endearing renditions of man’s best friend. She brings the same technique, reminiscent of the 80’s pop culture, to her botanic oil paintings. Hoyer applies abstract lines to common subject matters including animals, buildings and plants. In this exhibit her unique style presents luminous spring flowers in a whole new light.
Sharon Bladholm: Behind Sharon Bladholm’s stunning images lies a background in botanic research. She has traveled to remote locations including the Peruvian Amazon to document the conservation of endangered plants and animals. A versatile artist, she works in numerous mediums from glass and bronze to prints and water color. Her contributions to “In Bloom” include an exquisite floral water color on mulberry paper and hand colored monotone prints. Her work is grounded in her avid commitment to preserving world habitats.
Irena Saparnis: A master of batik, flowers and plant life have been a favorite subject matter for Irena Saparnis. Her startling red poppies are animated by the art form. Each work is truly unique due to the unpredictable variation of color and line the dye and wax process produces.
The Jackson Junge Gallery is open six days a week, free of charge. Hours are Tuesday – Friday 10am – 7pm; Saturday 10am – 6pm; Sunday 12 noon – 5pm.#
High resolution images are available upon request.
Jackson Junge Gallery
773.227.7900
www.J2gallery.com
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