Lowell Thompson

By Jason Foumberg

A panel discussion was assembled this past Thursday, March 26, to address a perception that artists on Chicago’s South Side are under-known and undervalued or, at worst, intentionally ignored. As a nod to Ralph Ellison’s 1952 novel “Invisible Man,” the multi-part event, which included the discussion, was titled “Invisible Artist: Creators from Chicago’s Southside,” underscoring a divide that is not merely geographic but also—and mostly—racial.

The “South Side problem” is a micro-argument of the “Chicago-problem,” or second city syndrome, an old topic recently dusted off once again at the University of Chicago for the roundtable “Chicago Artist? Is there such a thing anymore?” in January. In both cases there’s the acknowledgement of a healthy and active art scene followed by its perceived dismissal by a large and vaguely defined power-granting establishment. Unfortunately this can be distilled to the question, Why haven’t “They” made me famous yet? This is unfortunate because it assumes a passive, backseat role to one’s career, which has not been the enduring feeling of the many do-it-yourself art scenes on the South Side and in Chicago alike. In both cases artists have pushed through the various stereotypes (the South Side is violent; Chicago is provincial) to create their own artistic home.
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RECOMMENDED

Andre Guichard founded Bronzeville Gallery Guichard with hopes of inspiring the Southside community. The Third Annual Art Di Gras, a Mardi Gras-inspired celebration of art, hosts over forty artists in the three story gallery space. This year’s fête entitled “Art Gumbo” includes pieces from Guichard’s own Jazz series along with a diverse group of artists whose work largely centers on the pride of African heritage. Ade Oyelami creates bright tribal Batik on rice paper-mask prints. Karen Powell mixes old black-and-white photographs with fabric to create a balance between historic and modern. Brian Keith Thomas’ “Prelude to a Parting” is a striking oil depicting a female character whose face is the most memorable of the show. Abstract painter Jennifer Brideforth’s acrylic-on-canvas “Conflict, Interruptions” is a solid blue canvas with a thick red bar across the middle, signifying the internal struggle for peace and balance. Other standouts include Chicagoan Raymond A. Thomas, photographer Tony Smith and sibling artist collaboration Twin. (Rachel Turney)

Through September 26 at Gallery Guichard, 3521 S. King Drive, (773)373-8000.