ISSUE 18 // 9.5.2024

Installation shot of “Bernece Berkman-Hunter & Ethel Spears,” open now through November 22nd at Madron Gallery

WHAT’S NEW?

Bernece & Ethel

Now on view through November 22nd, Madron Gallery’s latest exhibition—Bernece Berkman-Hunter & Ethel Spears—concentrates on a brief period in the 1930s and 40s when these two female artists found themselves in Chicago at the same time, capturing the life they saw around them. Berkman-Hunter and Spears possessed visions and understandings of the city that were specific, personal, and wildly different from one another; Berkman-Hunter’s fragmented and monumental depictions of social strife run in deep contrast to Spears’s humorous and hyper-detailed scenes of parks, streets, and domestic interiors. An unlikely duo at first glance, the juxtaposition of extremes brings out a heightened effect in each artist’s work. Learn more here.

WHAT’S NEXT?

Welcome Back and Save the Date!

Madron Gallery is thrilled to welcome back our Head Writer, Alex Cornacchia! Alex and I (that’s right—it’s Rachel, Madron’s trusty Director talking to you now) can’t wait to get our heads together and discuss future projects for Madron and the artists we champion.

And on Thursday, November 14th, Lincoln Park Art Night is back. Save the date and join us later this fall as we celebrate the fine art programming radiating out of Lincoln Park. Make Madron your first stop this year, then ride around the neighborhood to visit our friends at gallery1871, DePaul Art Museum, Leslie Wolfe Gallery, and Art on Sedgwick, too. More information coming soon!

WHAT’S THIS?

Bernece Berkman-Hunter (1911-1988), South Chicago Series #2, 1937, opaque watercolor on paper, 20 x 30 inches. Collection of Illinois State Museum, Springfield, by property transfer, WPA/FAP Allocation.

On Loan.

Part of Chicago’s charm is its easily identifiable architecture. South Chicago Series #2 screams Chicago to anyone who has rented one of the city’s classic walk-ups—it’s the view of the back porch! (Do you see it?) Right now you don’t have to travel downstate to see this excellent representation of WPA artwork, currently on loan from the Illinois State Museum in Springfield. Just stop by Madron, taking note of the apartment buildings you see on your way here. How much has the city changed? How much has it stayed the same? What would this painting look like if it were made today?

The thing about curating a show about two under-appreciated artists from the last century is you have to dig deep and cast a wide net. We’d like to take a moment to thank a few folks who helped bring this exhibition to fruition. Bernece Berkman-Hunter & Ethel Spears would not be possible without generous loans from the estate of Kathleen Blackshear and Ethel Spears, the Illinois State Museum, The Koehnline Museum of Art, Clifford Law Offices, Charlie and Kim Hankins, and Bernard Friedman.