Art exhibit shows how far women have come - and how far they can go
Don't be fooled by the name "Sapphire & Crystals: BEyONd Race and Gender," a new exhibit at Noyes Cultural Arts Center in Evanston. This art show doesn't contain any precious jewels, but it does offer several works of art that challenge our notions of race and gender in our society.
Each of the more than 100 pieces of art covering two floors are, at first glance, eye-pleasing paintings, sketches, poetry, free-form art, photographs and sculptures. But a second, deeper look shows works of art that invite you to open your mind to a future of new possibilities and recognize the limits you may place on yourself and others simply because of gender and race.
Paintings by Pearlie Taylor capture the different gender roles we've followed in society and the struggle for equality. While Taylor doesn't agree women should serve in combat, she applauds their right in a compelling painting of a woman's face with barbed wire and a flag in the background. Another piece by Taylor depicts the strides women and men have made, with a hole in the midst of an abstract figure that represents all we've come through in the move toward equality.
The exhibit, which features works from 23 female African-American professional artists, appears all the more sophisticated in the somewhat institutional setting of the Noyes Cultural Center.
Photographer Janet Sheard, who was a Chicago Public Schools teacher for 32 years, chose five pieces themed "imaging family sustains family." Her photographs include a picture of the new first family on the day Barack Obama voted in the presidential election, an image of a strong, active African-American father and a stark image of a lesbian couple with two children in front a sign protesting California's Proposition 8, which made same-sex marriages illegal.
I admit I'm too much of a literalist to understand most abstract art (special thanks to the patient artists who explained their works to me). On the first floor, you'll find a book with the artists' explanations of their inspiration and goals. It's a good idea to look through it.
Even if you're not into the political aspects of the show, the exhibit is worth viewing. Nicole Malcolm's amazing use of color has her paintings nearly leaping off the walls, and Felicia Grant Preston's use of shadow images is both calming and invigorating.
So what do sapphires and crystals have to do with this? It's simply the name of the collective that was formed in the 1980s by a group of female artists tired of bias in the art community that didn't give women many exhibition opportunities. For the past 20 years, Sapphire & Crystals has not only given women an outlet for their works, it also has offered mentoring relationships to promising artists.
<p class="factboxheadblack">While you're there</p> <p class="breakhead">Things to see</p> <p class="News">The Mary and Leigh Block Museum of Art, 40 Arts Circle Drive, Evanston: This museum, tucked away on the Northwestern University campus, is open to the public - and free. The museum organizes lectures and workshops with artists and scholars, screens classic and contemporary films at Block Cinema. Through April 5, the museum is featuring "Polaroids: Mapplethorpe;" "From Michelangelo to Annibale Carracci: A Century of Italian Drawings from the Prado"; and "Theo Leffmann: Weaving a Life into Art." The museum is open from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Tuesdays, 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. Wednesdays through Fridays and noon to 5 p.m. on weekends. Visit <a href="http://www.blockmuseum.northwestern.edu" target="new">blockmuseum.northwestern.edu</a>.</p> <p class="News">Baha'i House of Worship, 100 Linden Ave., Wilmette: Just north of Evanston along Sheridan Road, this temple is one of only seven of its kind in the world. It has nine sides and a dome and is surrounded by gardens and fountains. The temple took decades to build and intentionally incorporates architectural and stylistic elements from all religions. And it's free every day from 6 a.m. to 10 p.m. Visit <a href="http://www.bahai.us" target="new">bahai.us</a>. </p> <p class="breakhead">Places to eat</p> <p class="News">Linz and Vail, 922 Noyes St.: Great coffeehouse with great gelato and free Wi-Fi. <a href="http://www.lizandvail.com" target="new">lizandvail.com</a>.</p> <p class="News">Rollin' To Go, 910 Noyes St.: Simple but tasty soups, salads and pizzas. <a href="http://www.rollin2go.com" target="new">rollin2go.com</a>.</p> <p class="News">D&D Finer Foods, 825 Noyes St.: Cool place to pick up something fun for dinner and grab a snack on some simple appetizers. <a href="http://www.danddfinerfoods.com" target="new">danddfinerfoods.com</a>.</p> <p class="News">Campagnola, 815 Chicago Ave., Evanston: A neighborhood Italian restaurant, food is simple, fresh and delicious. Cozy and quiet, except when the Purple Line goes by. <a href="http://www.campagnolarestaurant.com" target="new">campagnolarestaurant.com</a>.</p>