Chicago Exhibitions Showcase Pearlstein, Lanyon, Valentine, Casey, and Woodward in 2011

Several noteworthy exhibitions took place in Chicago during 2011. At the Valerie Carberry Gallery on the 25th floor of the John Hancock Center, Philip Pearlstein and Ellen Lanyon presented "Objects/Objectivity" from September 16 to November 5. The show, curated by the artists themselves at 875 N Michigan Ave #2510, featured 12 works exploring their relationships with collected objects. Pearlstein's large-scale paintings, such as "Mickey Mouse, White House as Bird House, Male and Female Models" (2001) and "Two Nudes, Rabbit Marionette" (1997), displayed his characteristic stoic approach. Lanyon's pieces like "Majolica Tea" (2010) and "Hanafuda" (2010) offered vibrant, dynamic contrasts. Across the river at Linda Warren Gallery (1052 W Fulton Market #200), Ed Valentine's exhibition ran from September 9 to October 22, featuring large-scale spray portraits and small oils that engaged with street art aesthetics and modernist painting history. Amy Casey's "Boomtown" at Zg Gallery (300 W Superior Street) closed in August but had office displays through October, showcasing detailed urban landscapes like "City Blocks" (2011). Matthew Woodward's "Tremendous Alone" at the Elmhurst Art Museum (150 S. Cottage Hill Ave, Elmhurst, IL) presented monumental graphite drawings from September 16 to December 31, exploring urban environments. These shows required navigating various Chicago neighborhoods and venues.