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It’s said “Behind every great man there is a great woman.” It’s also true that behind some bold works of art are some bold female artists. At least, that’s the case when it comes to the following art exhibitions in Chicago.
The imagery of environmental photographer and marine biologist Cristina Mittermeier can be seen in Hope: A Prelude at Hilton Contemporary (through Aug. 30). The exhibit is the first of the Beautiful Brilliance series launched by Arica Hilton, CEO and founder of Hilton Contemporary, to showcase accomplished women who represent brains, beauty, and dedication to their mission. “We did not have to look far to select the first subject of the…series,” says Hilton. “Cristina’s ability to open a portal that drives awareness of the fragility of our ecosystem through the direct language of photography reminds us that human beings are not isolated creatures, but members of an interconnected society. Using our planet’s limited resources wisely is imperative for our future. We need to understand that the health of the oceans has a direct impact on our climate, the air we breathe and the food we eat. Every community on Earth is part of the global ecosystem and the choices we make today can collectively shape the future of our planet.”
As part of the Chicago Works series, Iris Colburn curates Andrea Carlson: Shimmer on Horizons at the Museum of Contemporary Art (Aug. 3, 2024-Feb 2, 2025). In this solo exhibition, the area artist explores political ramifications of landscapes via painting, video, and sculpture. Also on display is Nicole Eisenman: What Happened (through Sep. 22) organized by Museum Brandhorst and London’s Whitechapel Gallery, with MCA curation by Jadine Collingwood and Jack Schneider. Touting more 100 paintings, sculptures, monoprints and drawings generated from 1992 to 2024, the show encompasses Eisenman’s career to date.
Natou Fall, Saba Salekfard, Saba Yazdjerdi, and Present Forms (Stephanie Lin) are among the diverse designers and artists offering tabletop installations in Souvenirs of a Forgotten Past at Luminaire Chicago (through Aug. 10). Presented by SolidNature and Secrets of the Universe, the group exhibition includes contributions by Bureau Spectacular (Jimenez Lai), Chris Adamick, Chris Cornelius, Smith-Clementi (Frank Clementi and Julie Smith-Clementi), and Studio Gorm (Wonhee Arndt and John Arndt). “Our prompt was to reflect on the meaning of a souvenir, particularly in the context of relocation and cultural migration,” explain Secrets of the Universe. “We wanted to explore how these small objects can encapsulate the essence of two or more cultures coming together in a new environment.”
In Georgia O’Keeffe: “My New Yorks” (through Sep. 22), the Art Institute of Chicago highlights the famed artist’s urban paintings, drawings, and pastels from the 1920s and ’30s. Following this exhibition, the Museum will host Paula Modersohn-Becker: I Am Me (Oct. 12, 2024-Jan. 12, 2025) wherein the German artist depicts childhood, pregnancy, motherhood, and old age with paintings, drawings and etchings.
Currently, Christina Ramberg: A Retrospective is on view at the Art Institute (through Aug. 11). This comprehensive exhibition features more than 100 works, including representations of women’s hairstyles and female torsos that straddle figuration and abstraction. “Seeing this volume of work truly showcases her evolution as an artist, even across her relatively short career,” says Thea Liberty Nichols, associate research curator, Modern and Contemporary Art. “Her focus was clear from the beginning but she challenged herself to continuously develop and refine her vision across different media and modes of representation. This forward-thinking way of working can be seen as predictive of the approach taken by numerous artists working today.”