Ask an artist to describe the creative process and you’ll likely get a blank, if not downright hostile, stare. Press the point and you might get a dull recitation of technical details or a tortuous explanation of what the work is supposed to make you think or feel–the kind of thing that’s often dubbed an artist’s statement. But sometimes, if you ask the question right, you can catch a glimpse of what was really in an artist’s head.
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To celebrate the 15th anniversary of her contemporary photography gallery, Chicago art dealer Catherine Edelman chose one iconic image by each of 34 artists whose work she’s exhibited then asked, “What were you thinking?” Not surprisingly, most of the photographers balked. “They were hesitant to put into words what they felt was an intuitive process,” she says. “But I believe we don’t work without conscious thought. It’s not always one plus one equals two–it’s not that literal. But as artists, most think about what they’re doing and seek to fulfill that thought. It is this thought that I asked each artist to share.” Those thoughts and the photographs make up the exhibit that opens this Friday at the gallery (there’s also a catalog).
“What Were You Thinking?” will be at the Catherine Edelman Gallery, 300 W. Superior, through January 4; hours are 10 to 5:30 Tuesday through Saturday. A reception will be held for the opening, Friday, November 15, from 5 to 7 PM. For more information call 312-266-2350.
