'Resilient' exhibit featuring three artists opens Sept. 2 in Aurora

The Aurora Public Art Commission will host "Resilient," an exhibit showcasing the works of three acclaimed Chicago-based artists: Monica Rezman, Jean Alexander Frater and Bobbi Meier.

The community is invited to attend two free events during which they can meet the artists.

An opening reception will be held Sept. 2 during Aurora Downtown's First Friday event from 6 to 9 p.m. in the third-floor gallery at David L. Pierce Art & History Center, 20 E. Downer Place in Aurora.

An artist panel discussion will be held from 2 to 4 p.m. Saturday, Sept. 24.

A collectible exhibit catalogue will be published following the closing of the exhibit.

Curator Jenn Byrne shares, "For each of these artists, decades of commitment to their craft, both informed by and challenged by the multiple roles women play, has led to the development of uniquely sophisticated yet relatable approaches to story-telling through textiles. Rezman, Meier, and Alexander Frater move without boundaries between two- and three-dimensional fields; I see this innovation, shared amongst all three artists, as a result of the laid-back wisdom and sense of humor one earns over years of experience releasing expectations and adapting to life's constant changes."

Rezman (monicarezman.com) performs alchemy with humble cardboard, burlap sacks, and found objects to create puzzle-like forms. In her sculptures, she explores intimacy within abstraction.

Alexander Frater (alexanderfrater.com) deconstructs her paintings, first painting the canvas then ripping it up, to disrupt the traditional format of painting. Her process morphs the 2D into the 3D and references history, tradition, and language.

Meier (bobbimeier.com) stuffs fabrics of varied textures and bold colors, to create soft sculptures that are at once fun and grotesque. These abstract works reference the body and reflect the complexity of lived experiences, life's joy, fear, and frustrations.

The exhibit runs Sept. 2-24. Gallery hours are: noon to 4 p.m. Wednesdays to Fridays, and 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturdays. Aurora Public Art is sponsored by the City of Aurora.

For more information, contact Jenn Byrne Evans at EvansJ@aurora.il.us. Visit www.aurora-il.org/329/Aurora-Public-Art.

Donations are always appreciated and are used to pay fair wages to artists for their services at www.communityfoundationfrv.org/profile/aurora-art-fund.

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