A Fashion Designer’s Love Letter to Art in Chicago
Duro Olowu has curated a dazzling show of Chicago art that is as varied and colorful as the patterns in his clothing.
CHICAGO — In Duro Olowu: Seeing Chicago, Nigerian-born British designer Duro Olowu has curated a show of treasures from the vaults of the MCA and other Chicago museums, as well as works from Chicago collectors and Chicago artists. The result is a dazzling collage of artistic styles, mediums, and messages, as varied and colorful as the patterns that Olowu incorporates in his clothing. For instance, Rene Magritte’s “Les merveilles de la nature” (“The Wonders of Nature,” 1953) hangs across from pen-and-ink drawings by punk singer-songwriter Wesley Willis. Chicago Imagists rub shoulders with the original Surrealists.
In the exhibition’s introductory text, Olowu advocates a “second look” at artworks, explaining, “there is meaning in the act of seeing something again and, perhaps, anew.” The show is divided into themes, with such titles as “Look at Me,” “Toward Abstraction,” and “Lost in Space”; all ask viewers to consider the affinities among seemingly disparate works of art.
“Look at Me” best epitomizes this idea by pushing the boundaries of portraiture. The section includes Genevieve Gaignard’s 2018 “She Was Afraid of Heights, But She Was Much More Afraid of Never Flying,” a life-sized birdcage with a Black doll inside. Nearby, Jimmy Robert’s sculpture “Untitled” (2008) is a bust without a head wearing a collar of A4 paper; crumpled paper lies at its base. This work questions if a portrait needs to be a face at all.
In addition to the kaleidoscope of shapes, patterns, and colors, overhead speakers broadcast Olowu’s thoughts about the pieces, along with short statements by some of the artists. These add another element to the rich tapestry that Olowu had already assembled with the unexpected pairings.
Ultimately, it’s Olowu’s love letter to Chicago’s artistic world.
Duro Olowu: Seeing Chicago is scheduled to continue at the MCA Chicago (220 E. Chicago Ave., Chicago, Illinois) through May 10.
Editor’s note: Please note that physical viewing hours for this exhibition have temporarily ended in light of the ongoing coronavirus pandemic. An audio element and images are presented online. Cognizant of the importance of discussions around art and culture during this time, we encourage readers to explore the exhibition virtually as many of us continue to self-isolate. Please check the gallery website to see when viewing hours will resume.
