Jeffrey Equality Brooks鈥� exhibit this Fall is for everyone!
The exhibit is titled 鈥淪till looking for connection鈥� and encloses thirteen different pieces of similar mediums. These are paintings that range from created using automotive paint and stencils, to twenty-four carat gold leaf and carved walnut. All these elements are used to create a showcase that can be enjoyed and understood by the masses.
Jeffrey Equality Brooks is a UIC graduate who creates art that is both dynamic and engaging for the eye and mind.
Something that is a common theme in his work as well as the current exhibit on display is the use of text in his work that typically doubles as the title as well.
The use of text is a technique that could be labeled as too repetitive or redundant. But, it can also be said that although the exhibited pieces are similar in technique and medium usage. The usage of text and title in the artwork also aids in its ability to be understood by its audience, like subtitles for a movie. The incorporation of text in the compositions acts as a prompt for the mind of the viewer to begin their own unique interpretation.
Each piece truly speaks for themselves and sets its own unique impression on the viewer. This impression has been part of Brooks鈥� purpose in his process of painting, to have 鈥渙odles of candies and textures that you just can鈥檛 get a sense of on your phone or in prints鈥�.
What sets the 鈥淪till looking for connection鈥� exhibit apart from others is its accessibility. The exhibit is not only accessible in the common sense, due to being located on the second floor of the college in room 2L1A. As well as being accessible due to admission being free for all students and staff as well as the general public.
It is accessible because it can be interpreted by any audience, regardless of their gallery going experience. Due to the fact that the pieces seem to explain enough on their own, with the aid of text in the piece matching the title.
Yet the pieces in the exhibit still maintain mystery that can be understood in the viewer鈥檚 own unique way. Viewers won鈥檛 have to tint their heads or squint their eyes to see the intended focus of each piece. The exhibit isn鈥檛 an experience that requires hours of undivided concentration to leave an impact on its audience.
鈥淢y art is about you, it鈥檚 about us, it鈥檚 about our friends, it鈥檚 about honesty鈥�, Brooks explains perfectly in his artist statement. 鈥淪till Looking for Connection鈥� is an excellent display of that art that can be understood regardless of interest or experience.
This exhibit is open now until November 2.