First photo: 'St. Sebastian' (1994), mixed media, 17 x 14
Second: Jeff Colby in his studio, 1995. At right, Colby and some of his works.
Third: 'Black Beetle' (1988), assemblage, 15-1/2 x 15-1/2 x 3.
The Chicago Arts District (East Pilsen) has a new neighbor in town, along the Halsted mile. Join the Pilsen community in welcoming Fleur Gallery and its debut exhibition, Beautiful and Challenging, Oct. 3-Nov. 14, with works by Jeff Colby (mixed media), Jonathan Gillette, Jennifer Farmer, and Michael Rubenstein (paintings). Closing Reception is Friday, Nov. 14, 1833 S. Halsted.
'[South] Halsted Street's first fully commercial gallery, Fleur Gallery is proud to present the mixed media works of the late Jeff Colby in conjunction with emerging art visionaries Jonathan Gillette, Jennifer Farmer and Michael Rubenstein,' the gallery owners stated. 'Collectively possessing a profound sensitivity to our physical and visceral surroundings, together their works present a multi-generational translation of beauty, its various manifestations and then potential demise.'
Serving as the impetus for the exhibition and title, Fleur Gallery is pleased to present the sculpture, assemblages and multi-media collages of the late Jeff Colby, who died from AIDS complications in 1996.
'Colby's provocative mixed-media works present a powerful meditation on his own physical and emotional struggle,' the gallery stated. 'Blessed with the finesse of a capable collage artist who can weave life's detritus into beautiful compositional bodies, Colby has a profound medium for translating his personal existence within life's grand schemes. Together his works impart a hope in horror, a beauty in tragedy and ubiquitous ironies imbedded in life's curiosities.'
Jeff Colby is a Chicago legend whose beautiful and challenging body of work touched the lives of many during the 1980s and 1990s. After being diagnosed with HIV, Colby's more heavily folk-based work evolved into mixed-media reflections of the emotional and physical turmoil of his condition. These works address social stigma and isolation, the natural gambles of fate and the transformation of mind and body with HIV.
'Glorifying the minutiae coating our streets, Colby similarly searched for individual significance in a collective life order,' the gallery owners stated. 'It is our honor to present Colby's moving and personal works. Beautiful and Challenging is one of the few exhibitions to feature Colby's work since his major exposition at the Chicago Cultural Center in 1996. Jeff Colby died shortly thereafter in 1996.'
Fleur Gallery, 1833 S. Halsted St., (312) 421-8929, info@fleurfineart.com, or see www.fleurfineart.com .
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