Discussion with Amy Sillman: The Nervous System

For her exhibition at The Arts Club of Chicago, artist Amy Sillman elaborates a trajectory of free-hanging, two-sided works on paper that play upon the physical and emotional demands of mark-making. Responding in part to the intractability of our societal moment, Sillman's figures seem to drag themselves through space–they age, they succumb to gravity, leak fluids, and yet rebound in still one more frame ready to continue their enormous efforts. This weighted sense of time matches the durational aspect of Sillman's painting practice, which relies upon repeated transformations, obliterations, and excavations.

Featuring new and recent painting, Amy Sillman: The Nervous System calls upon abstract and figurative motifs to address the material and emotional conditions of being human in fraught political times. A poignant quartet of new paintings, entitled Blues for Omar, will be on view for the first time. Sillman (b. Detroit, 1955) returns to the Midwest for her first exhibition in the city of Chicago, during a thrilling crescendo in her three decade long career. This exhibition will be on view until August 3rd.

Sillman will discuss the work the following evening (Thursday, May 23rd) at The Arts Club at 6 p.m. This event is free and open to all, but registration is required. Please click here if you would like to attend for more information.