50 Aldermen/50 Artists Closing Party

This Friday, April 2nd is the closing party for the 50 Aldermen/50 Artists exhibition.  Curated by Lauri Apple and Jeremy Scheuch, this show has a great mix of art styles representing every aldermen in the city of Chicago.  Over 800 people and 17 aldermen attended the opening a few weeks ago at Johalla Projects.  I talked to some of the artists who participated and were disappointed that the alderman they chose to depict would not return their calls or e-mails.  Other artworks in the show were obviously done in collaboration with the person portrayed.  I thought these two situtations helped diversify the resulting images.  There was a range of moods and styles displayed ranging from humorous to hideous to honorific.

4th Ward, Toni Preckwinkle by Christa Lohman

6th Ward, Freddrenna Lyle by Timothy Pigott

10th Ward, John Pope by Derek Erdman

27th Ward, Walter Burnett by Lucas Blair Simpson

35th Ward, Rey Colon by Craighton Berman

36th Ward, John Rice by Eric Lebofsky

The Chicago Reader has posted images of all 50 artworks here.

Info from the exhibition site...
The Chicago Aldermen Project is having a closing party for the 50 Aldermen/50 Artists group portrait show THIS FRIDAY, April 2, from 7-11 PM at Johalla Projects, 1561 N. Milwaukee. This will be the last time you can see the exhibit at Johalla — before it moves (more on that coming soon). Come to the party to win prizes!!


PRIZES??? Yes: The Chicago Reader has published a pop quiz, and attempting it will make you eligible for a drawing to win a Four Star commuter bike by KHS Bicycles from Roscoe Village Bikes. (We have some other prizes as well.) Turn in your answers at the closing party (or mail them to Alderquiz, c/o Chicago Reader, 11 E. Illinois, 60611, or take the quiz online at chicagoreader.com/50aldermen) to become eligible for the drawing. Answers must be received by the end of Tue 4/6.

50 Alderman/50 Artists Closing Party
Friday, April 2, 2010
7 to 11 pm
Johalla Projects
1561 N Milwaukee Ave (2nd floor above Earwax)
Chicago, IL