Good and evil, sanity and insanity, and control and chaos are all excellent areas to explore within the framework of art, and Laura Lee Junge is doing just that, in a collection of oil paintings, mixed media and sculpture comprising "Dual: The Battle Begins," opening Oct. 1 at the Jackson Junge Gallery, 1389 N. Milw.
Within these kinetically charged paintings, the impetus for their creation being Junge's inner struggles between a commissioned client's desires and her artistic integrity, the “warriors” and “angels” battle the intellectual, moral and emotional dilemmas that have inspired and plagued the psyche of humankind.
“I don’t like to get too literal in the interpretation because I want people to draw their own experiences from this series” cautions Junge. “However, in my view the gladiators represent challenges people deal with that are created by external sources; social, political, community issues that impact them in a personal way. The tribal images relate to internal strife caused by emotions, matters of the heart and conscience.”
Junge is the signature artist at the Jackson Junge Gallery, which celebrates its first-year anniversary in October. “Dual” is the third major exhibit the prolific painter has mounted at the gallery, and while warriors and angels are common subjects for Junge, this is the first exhibit when they've been presented together.
As the only permanent venue for her work in Chicago, residents and visitors are becoming increasingly familiar with Junge's engaging art, displayed in the gallery between showings of other local, contemporary artists. Among other recent honors, one of Junge’s images was selected to represent the September 2010 Lakeview East Festival of the Arts in Chicago.
Duel opens Sept 28, with a reception, open to the public, slated for Friday Oct, 1st from 6 to 9PM. Duel closes Nov. 14. All welcome at the opening reception. The Jackson Junge Gallery is open six days a week, closed on Mondays. Tuesday- Saturday, 11am – 8pm. Sunday, 12 noon – 5pm.
Jonesing to learn more? Here are a few images of Exhibit Highlights, titled Tribal Warrior, Gladiator Warrior, and Fort Ifeye, as well as information on other 'J2' gallery events planned in tandem with Chicago Artists Month 2010, the 15th annual celebration of Chicago’s vibrant visual art community coordinated by the Chicago Department of Cultural Affairs.
OTHER CHICAGO ARTISTS MONTH EVENTS AT JACKSON JUNGE GALLERY:
October 8 – November 7
Opening Reception, Friday, October 8, 6pm – 9pm
“Tool Box Flower Box”: Facets of urban life where art, technology and nature co-exist are presented in this unusual exhibit. Twenty local Chicago artists contribute single pieces ranging in media from oils and acrylics to watercolor, ink and mixed media. The art composes a “suite of nature” that demonstrates how machinery, technology and modern paraphernalia can harmonize with organic matter
Saturday, October 16, 8pm – 11pm
Dawn O’Keefe Williams & The Lucky Dogs
Dawn O’Keefe Williams and her backup band The Lucky Dogs perform a blend of blues, jazz, rock and soul. The singer’s repertoire includes favorites from Billie Holiday to Bonnie Raitt along with her own original songs.
Friday, October 22, 6pm – 9pm
Jackson Junge Gallery Anniversary Bash
Chicagoans are invited to attend the one-year anniversary celebration of the Jackson Junge Gallery which features the work of Laura Lee Junge and other Chicago artists. Guests can share a toast, peruse the art and meet several of the artists currently on display.
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