Oh, You Beautiful Doll!

Oh, You Beautiful Doll!

featuring

Color Photography by Kristine Brailey

Digital Photography by Mayumi Hamanaka

Mixed Media Work by Sandi Kozlowski

Screen Prints on Paper by Aemin Annie Lee

Video by Lisa Ruth

Mixed Media Work by Julie Wishmeyer

On display at:

Apollo Theatre

2540 North Lincoln Ave., Chicago, IL

Free Opening Reception: Friday, November 15, 2002

5:00 - 7:00 p.m.

There is no charge for viewing the artwork.

Viewing hours are Tues - Sat (10 am - showtime) Sun (12 noon - showtime)

On exhibit through December 15, 2002.

This art exhibition is in complement to

Apollo Theatre's production of The Vagina Monologues.

ARTISTS' BIOGRAPHIES


Kristine Brailey received a Master of Fine Arts in photography from Columbia College in Chicago. She is an adjunct faculty member at the College of Dupage and at Columbia College. She has also taught Pinhole Photography and Portraiture for the Marwen Foundation. Kris has shown in many exhibitions throughout the Chicagoland area. Most recently, Kris' work was included in the Marwen exhibit, "Those who do, teach." Kris was the 1998 recipient of the City of Chicago CAAP Grant and 1997 Illinois Arts Council Special Assistance Grant. "I remember seeing the doll heads for the first time at my boyfriend's house. He is an avid antique collector and found three doll heads at area fleamarkets. I was mesmerized by how they look, the beauty and emptiness they possess. I couldn't get them out of my mind, and I knew I had to make photographs of them. I photographed them with a 4 x 5 camera using color negative and transparency film. I knew I wanted to make gigantic prints so that is why I opted for the 4 x 5 camera. I also loved the colors of the heads so I chose color film rather than black and white. What am I trying to say with these images? I haven't figured that out yet. Am I trying to articulate the inner demons we all possess? I possess? Maybe. I just hope that once you look at them you remember them. That is what makes a successful image -- the memory it leaves you with."


Mayumi Hamanaka was born and raised in Japan, first came to the United States in 1994 as an exchange student in the art history/studio department at the University of California, Santa Barbara. She graduated from International Christian University in Tokyo in 1996 with a Bachelor of Arts in art history. After her experience in California, she moved to Chicago to attend the School of the Art Institute of Chicago, where she graduated in May of 1999 with a Bachelor of Fine Arts. Her works were included in the Nippon Steel/SAIC Annual Exhibition in 1998 and in 1999. Mayumi is currently pursuing a career in photography and graphic design. "In this Paperdoll project, I took photographs of people and made them into paper dolls. While I was taking pictures, some thoughts came to mind: What is an original thing and how can I see the individual traits of the people? What people wear were my defining factors for understanding their personalities and, in turn, for understanding how people, including myself, perceive themselves based on their appearance and their style." Mayumi's images are also available in postcard form.

Sandi L. Kozlowski received her BFA from Calumet College Magna Cum Laude. Her mixed media piece, "We're More Than Just Our Parts" consists of doll parts, rope, chains, feathers, rice paper and digital photos. She primarily exhibits her work in her home state of Indiana, however has exhibited her work in Chicago and other Illinois suburbs as well.

"These doll forms and pieces represent how a majority of women feel about their bodies and how they are 'disconnected' from the total person. We all have our flaws, but for some reason women are viewed as less than perfect when all the pieces don't conform to what most, especially men, think the female body should be, or how they would like the female body 'to be.' As a result, we would like to fly away to a place where no judgments are made. Also we feel trapped and bound to conform to standards that are not realistic. All eyes are on us."


Aemin Annie Lee is currently completing her Master of Fine Art degree at The School of the Art Institute of Chicago with an emphasis on print media. She has also attended the Cranbrook Academy of Art in Michigan and received her B.F.A. in painting and drawing from The School of the Art Institute of Chicago. Annie's print work involves images of the "Barbie" Doll and of paper dolls. "I returned to the innocence of my childhood, only to realize how adulterated childhood can be." The child "role playing" as an adult is a strong theme throughout Annie's work. Annie explores the curiosity and innocence that a child can have in her six page "Letter From Barbie". The images read: "My name is Barbie. What is yours? So you want to play with me? Let's play doctor! What about playing parents? Have you kissed? Why don't we try that…"

Lisa Ruth received her B.F.A. in Media Arts and Animation from The Illinois Institute of Art in Chicago. Her work in this exhibition is an edited 20-second video segment from a detailed "Short" independent film, titled "Worn Out Doll". The segment explores various strong personal themes such as suppression, isolation and depression through typography, motion graphics, music, still and video images, along with 3D and hand drawn animation pieces. All of the elements combine to explore the dark side of human nature. Lisa is also a poet and musician.

Julie Wishmeyer received her B.F.A. from the School of the Art Institute of Chicago. Since graduating, Julie has become known for her handmade functional art objects. Julie uses found objects and sequins to enhance her ink drawings and sculptures. "I consider my embellishment as a way to depict character just as a great portrait would, or a criminal sketch. Julie has exhibited her work in Chicago and Florida and her work is owned by Ringo Starr, Paul McCartney, Julia Roberts, Stevie Nicks, Mayor Richard Daley, Mrs. Michael Jordan and Roger Ebert to list just a few.