10/17: LONG FALL // work by MEGHAN GRUBB & RESISTANT STRUCTURES // work by PETER HAMMAR
LONG FALL: work by MEGHAN GRUBB
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RESISTANT STRUCTURES: work by PETER HAMMAR
October 17 – November 30, 2014
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Opening Reception: Friday, October 17, 7-11 PM
Open Hours: by appointment
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Heaven Gallery
1550 N Milwaukee, 2nd floor
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In Long Fall Meghan Grubb engages in a process of translation, giving formal consideration to the experience of physical phenomena and unseen natural forces through her sculpture, photo, video and installation work. In her sculpture series, Grubb collaborates with the forces of gravity and magnestism to create pristinely composed sculptural wall pieces. Viewers are invited to interact with these pieces, to break the magnetic attraction at play. The pieces are transformed in this way, shifting between a show of strength and weakness. There is a sense that she is searching for equilibrium, embracing the power of these energy forces, yet drawing out a precariousness in trying to harness them in physical form. It is the tension, the push and pull, created through this attempt at balance that makes for the most compelling moments in this series.
Resistant Structures, a new series by Peter Hammar examines ideas of physical structure in parallel to heirarchies of gender identity. In the video “The Naked Blind Paintings,” Hammar is blindfolded and sequestered to a corner of a room with canvases on the wall, surrounded by paint filled glass containers. The artist, in business dress, stumbles through this space, covering himself, his clothing and the canvases with paint, removing the clothing as it becomes saturated and ultimately painting himself into a corner, naked and alone with the resultant art work. The male body is stripped of its symbols of power. In this futile gesture Hammar grapples with a collective definition of manhood that the artist suggests is in desperate need of re-examination and re-structuring.
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MEGHAN GRUBB received her M.F.A. Art + Design from the University of Michigan in 2012, and her B.A. History + Studio Art from Wellesley College in 2005. Meghan’s exhibition record includes group and solo shows, collaborations, and site-specific installations. Her work has been exhibited internationally in Norway, Finland, Spain, and Thailand, and nationally at the Sculpture Center in Cleveland, the Shoshana Wayne Gallery in Los Angeles, and the Urban Institute for Contemporary Art in Grand Rapids, Michigan. Meghan has received numerous awards and grants, including the American Scandinavian Foundation Fellowship for 2012-2013 and a recent nomination for the Joan Mitchell Foundation 2014 Painters and Sculptors Grant Program. In 2014 and 2015, she will participate in residency programs at Paul Artspace in Saint Louis, the Wassaic Project in New York, and Vermont Studio Center.
More information about Meghan Grubb can be found at meghangrubb.com.
PETER HAMMAR was born in Sweden and combines his work between Stockholm and Miami. Hammar graduated with a Master in Fine Arts from Florida International University 2012. Peter has exhibited his work extensively at institutions all over the US. Recent exhibitions include such as; ‘Zeitgeber’ – Time Giver, Solo Exhibition Art and Culture Center of Hollywood, ‘6th All-Media Juried Biennial’ Art and Culture Center of Hollywood, ‘Off The Wall’ Danforth Museum of Arts, ‘Discrepant Modernism’ The Patricia & Philip Frost Art Museum in Miami, ‘International Arts Festival’ 2012 – MORA The Museum of Russian Art New Jersey. Peter Hammar’s first solo museum exhibition ‘Mapping Empty Spaces’ was at the Swedish American Museum in Chicago in 2014. Peter is the recipient of several awards such as; ‘GRAND PRIZE’ winner of ‘Art Takes Miami’, ‘1st Prize in painting’ from both Alexandria Museum of Art and The National Arts Club in New York, ‘Honorable Mention’ from Art and Culture Center of Hollywood’s ‘All Media Juried Biennial’ in Florida 2013 and most recently Peter was awarded a Honorable Mention in Miami New Times Master Minds Awards, for being one of Miami’s 30 most inspiring creative persons 2013.
More information about Peter Hammar can be found at www.peterhammar.com.
HEAVEN GALLERY established in 1997 is a non-profit arts space in Wicker Park that presents emerging artists and musicians. The gallery host 8-10 art shows and over 40 music shows a year. Heaven strives to make exhibitions and music shows accessible to the artist community by widely promoting its open proposal process. The visual art exhibitions are devoted to contemporary art, primarily sculpture painting and photography with a preference for simple smart art.
More information about Heaven gallery can be found at heavengallery.com.