Art imitated life, which imitated art in a photo exhibit that opened last weekend at the Suburban Fine Arts Center`s Cortesi Gallery in Highland Park.
”Spirited Visions,” by Chicago photographer Patty Carroll, is a collection of photos of 43 artists, displayed side by side with examples of their work. Supporters of the arts center were invited to a special reception to view the exhibit and hear Carroll discuss her work. ”The idea was not to have a fundraiser. It was just to invite people in for a little party to thank them for their support,” art center director Ann Rosen said. In many instances, the photographic portrait of the artist appeared to mirror the images present in his or her art, although the photos were not composed to reflect specific pieces of work, Carroll said.
”In every case, I met with the artist first. I went to their studios. We talked and usually we would come up with an idea together. The photos were based on the whole body of their work, not on just one piece,” Carroll said. Only when the exhibit, which is traveling under the sponsorship of the Illinois Arts Council, was put together was each photo matched with a specific work of art.
The exhibit, which was open just four days, included works that displayed a sense of light-hearted humor as well as some that made dramatic statements about pressing social issues. The pieces also reflected a variety of artistic styles and techniques, as did the accompanying photos.
Artist Roger Brown, for example, was represented by his poster art portrait of Hank Williams, titled ”Honky Tonk Man.” Carroll`s photo of Brown shows him wearing a big cowboy hat and a bigger smile, waving like a Texas politician from a stage.
In addition to housing the Cortesi Gallery, the Suburban Fine Arts Center hosts a variety of classes and workshops for children, adults and working artists.