Anatomically Correct & Northlight Theatre present:
Sideshow Banners by Amy Johnquest
&
Mixed Media Portrait Photography by
Thomas Gustafson
On exhibition at:Northlight Theatre, North Shore Center for Performing Arts
9501 Skokie Blvd., Skokie, IL 60076
Artist's Reception: May 27, 2000 (6 - 7:30 p.m.)
ARTWORK IS ON DISPLAY MAY 17 THROUGH JULY 2, 2000.
This art exhibition is in complement to Northlights production of SideShow, book & lyrics by Bill Russell, music by Henry Krieger, directed by Joe Leonardo.
BIOGRAPHIES
(a.k.a Banner Queen)
Amy creates sideshow banners, with titles such as The Amazing Dog & Pony Show, Wisdom of the Ages Revealed, Human Oddity, Giant Baby, and Snake Pit Sally, which pay tribute to the spirit of traditional banners. In the early 20 and 30's, sideshow banners were created as a form of advertising to promote an amusement tent fair, sideshow attraction or circus act coming to a rural town. The earliest banners were created by sign-painters, scene painters or self-taught artists who developed a uniquely humorous and easily recognizable style. The images often depicted aberrant acts, human freaks and animal curiosities. Most images were based on fantasy to peak the public's interests, however, many were based on facts, such as human deformities and inherited anatomical diseases and disorders. Sadly, many of the original banner artists have passed on, along with their subjects, leaving us with a unique genre in American art.
While Amy's banners are not direct advertisements for such sideshow acts as they existed in the 20th century, instead, Amy says, "My art mixes influences from the rich history of traveling carnivals & circuses with current events and popular culture. Particularly inspiring are the visual and psychological depths of the (American born) sideshow/freakshow with its' larger-than-life banner paintings. My banners, however, blatantly advertise things that are not for sale -- and may not even exist. They smack with an odd combination of tongue-in-cheek truth, historical kitsch, and sincerity." Amy's contemporary banners also differ from the traditional banners in materials and weight. Amy's boldly colored and broadly drawn banners (averaging 7 feet by 38 inches) are created on lightweight acid-free, brown, cotton-mesh fabric typically used for bookbinding. She applies a white, gesso prime coat and uses pastel chalk for the layout. The imagery and lettering are created with a mix of acrylic and casein paint. A final wash of clear acrylic medium, lightly tinted with yellow ochre, gives the piece an aged look. Amy, a former sign-painter herself, began creating banners in 1998 when a music store in Northampton, Massachussetts asked her to create banners for their storefront window. The subsequent attention and numerous requests for additional banners helped to launch her career as a national banner artist. Amy's banners are not only sought after by private collectors, but much of Amy's requests now come from rock bands and concert promoters.
Amy feels a kindred spirit with those who appreciate her work. "We all have some deformity. We've all got something to overcome. The best of us take what we have and run with it, and love our lives with whatever cards we're dealt with."
Thomas is a graduate from the Radio/TV/Film Department at Northwestern University where his focus was film and photography. This installation was inspired by the research for his last film project, "The Need", and his short play, "Enfreakment." "The Need", a film about a circus freak, won awards at the Flicker Intercollegiate Film Festival and New York Hunter Film Festival. "Enfreakment", a play about a sideshow photographer, was presented as part of the 1999 Bailiwick Director's Festival. In addition to Thomas' film work, his photography has been shown at NU's Dittmar Gallery and various Chicago publications. His work has also led him to the San Francisco School of Circus Arts and Ireland, where he spent a winter photographing Santa Claus. Thomas is currently working with About Face Theatre on the creation of a feature-length documentary, "Surfacing," about the theatre's youth outreach program for gay, lesbian, bisexual and allied youth. In addition, he works regularly shooting production stills for various theatre companies.
|
|
Anatomically Correct is an Illinois non-profit corporation dedicated to showcasing work by artists in public spaces in a combined effort to educate, diversify, and promote community awareness of the visual and performing arts. Artwork is available for purchase by contacting:
Email: info@anatomicallycorrect.org
HOME