Jaclyn Mednicov: Beneath the Green

In Gallery II, we are pleased to present “Beneath the Green,” a solo exhibition by Chicago-based artist Jaclyn Mednicov. Featuring a series of luminous botanical relief paintings and a new body of glazed ceramic sculptures embossed with local flora from Oisterwijk, the Netherlands, “Beneath the Green” continues Mednicov’s exploration of nature’s imprint on human memory and its influence on our understanding of the passage of time.

The surface compositions of Mednicov’s paintings as well as her ceramics are made using plants—sunflowers, delphinium, coneflower, and stinging nettle, among others—which are employed in several types of transfer processes. The relief paintings start with plant matter pressed into a substrate to create unique positive and negative molds which are then used to build up tactile works. The ceramics, whose shapes include vases, hollow cylinders, and shard and tablet-like forms (along with a small group of cast flower heads) have been imprinted with bits of flora local to Oisterwijk, the site of Mednicov’s 2023 residency at the European Ceramic Workcentre (where all of the exhibition’s ceramics were made). The plants either fall off prior to firing, or burn away in the kiln, and the resulting fossil-like impressions serve as indexical records of action, locale, and time.

Given the variability inherent to the casting, firing and glazing processes she employs, the finished pieces rarely emerge exactly as Mednicov may have expected them to—but this lack of certainty is, in itself, a desired outcome.

“I find inspiration in responding to the unforeseen elements that arise…allowing the image or impression to guide the creation of something entirely new,” she explained in a recent conversation with Elizabeth Lalley (the full text of which can be downloaded here). “Embracing the belief that life itself cannot be controlled, I deliberately chose a medium that reflects the unpredictability of nature. With each transfer—be it a monotype, cast, or rubbing—I discover new, previously unnoticed details. The elements of chance and surprise serve as a guide behind my work, preventing monotony and making space for new modes of making.”

Jaclyn Mednicov earned a BFA from University of Kansas, MA in Studio Arts from Eastern Illinois University, and MFA in Painting and Drawing from The School of the Art Institute of Chicago. She has attended residencies at Vermont Studio Center, Ragdale Foundation, SEA Foundation, and European Ceramic Workcentre. Solo and Two Person exhibitions include: Paris London Hong Kong (Chicago, IL), The SEA Foundation (Tilburg, NL), and Tarble Arts Center (Charleston, IL). Select group exhibitions include: Hyde Park Art Center (Chicago, IL), Northern Illinois University Art Museum (Dekalb, IL), DOCUMENT (Chicago, IL), ADDS DONNA (Chicago, IL), Morlan Gallery (Lexington, KY), and The Franklin (Chicago, IL). Mednicov’s work has been featured in New American Paintings, Sheridan Road, Printmaking Today, and LUXE Interiors publications. She is currently a Lecturer at The School of the Art Institute of Chicago in the Painting and Drawing Department.