Abel Contemporary Gallery Exhibits reception

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Carol Chase Bjerke

A carefully built pile of rocks.

"Cairn," by Carol Chase Bjerke.

Madison’s Carol Chase Bjerke, who died in October 2022, was a thoughtful artist in various media. She made artist’s books and was a longtime member of the Bone Folders' Guild; she was a photographer who created moody, provocative images sometimes with the most basic of film cameras; and she experimented in the darkroom, creating what she called limnographs — “painting” with developer on unexposed photo paper, then developing the previously invisible image, welcoming the unexpected, then refining the technique. She also worked to connect art with the process of healing. A memorial exhibit of works by Bjerke is among the new exhibits at Abel Contemporary Gallery, also featuring the annual Ceramics Invitational and work by Craig Clifford and John S. Miller. In addition to the opening reception (5-8 p.m. on Sept. 22), Bjerke's life and work will be celebrated with a gallery event at 2 p.m. on Sept. 23.

media release: September 22 - November 5, 2023. Opening Reception Friday, September 22 5 - 8 PM, open to the public.

Related events (read more below):

Remembering the Work of Carol Chase Bjerke, Saturday, September 23, 2pm

In-Person Artist Talk with Craig Clifford and John S. Miller, Saturday, October 21, 2pm

Shows open online Saturday September 23 - 10 AM CDT

Scene and Unseen: Craig Clifford is fascinated with the boundaries that attempt to delineate “high” and “low” art, using unconventional glazing and slip casting methods to demonstrate the liminality and dichotomy in design and art through complex and layered works. Clifford is particularly interested in re-contextualizing imagery that could seem trite or cliche through humor and uncanny juxtapositions.

Madison based artist, John S. Miller, is fascinated by the intimate connection between our eyes and minds, particularly the way we can form a mental image of three-dimensional space from two-dimensional visuals. Working primarily in screen and digital printing, Miller uses his art making practices to explore a variety of aspects of scientific research including: wave mechanics, optics, botany, geology, ecology, and ornithology. 

In-Person Artist Talk with Craig Clifford and John S. Miller, Saturday October 21, 2pm: Join us at Abel Contemporary Gallery for an in-person Artist Talk with Craig Clifford and John S. Miller where we will discuss their current show, Scene and Unseen, followed by Q&A from the audience. Free and open to the public, this event will be held on the first floor of the gallery and will be recorded for later viewing on our website.

20th Annual Ceramics Invitational: For the 20th year, Abel Contemporary Gallery will host an invitational of new works by ceramicists from across the country. One of our most anticipated exhibits, the show will be available in person and online, featuring the work of: Rickie Barnett, Tom Bartel, Lisa Belsky, Wesley T Brown, Sandra Byers, Winthrop Byers, Rob Cartelli, Kelly Connole, Chase Gamblin, Daniel Garver, Mark Goudy, Lynne Hobaica, Tom Jaszczak, Kyle Johns, Kate Marotz, Marlene Miller, Rachelle Miller, Ryan Myers, Charlie Olson, Matt Repsher, Liza Riddle, Katie Bosley Sabin, Juliane Shibata, Timea Tihanyi. 

no. 5: In Memoriam: Carol Chase Bjerke

Before her death in 2022, Carol Chase Bjerke organized and catalogued her life’s work, an immense task which included the artwork occupying the walls and storage spaces in her home and studio, as well as the numerous works in public and private collections across North America and abroad. This retrospective, co-curated by Chase Bjerke through written instructions she drafted prior to her death, will include the four large binders that catalogue her many bodies of work for viewers to experience firsthand. Examination of these books reveals common threads running through artworks that at first glance seem less connected than one might expect in the output of a single artist. Chase Bjerke created an array of artwork including artist books and large scale installations and felt there was a strong correlation between these two mediums, saying of the subject “both allow for the expansion of ideas beyond a single image, and both incorporate space and time for immersing oneself with the art”. All of Chase Bjerke’s work included repeated patterns and motifs, and examples from these bodies of work will also be included to view in the gallery. This exhibition of the work of Carol Chase Bjerke will be the fourth solo feature of her work at Abel Contemporary Gallery.

Remembering the Work of Carol Chase Bjerke, Saturday September 23 2pm: In conjunction with the installation of “In Memoriam: Carol Chase Bjerke” we will be hosting an event to celebrate Carol’s life and artwork. Whether you knew Carol personally or were an admirer of her art you are welcome to gather with us in gallery no.5 to view the exhibit and share remembrances.

Speakers include Lee Bjerke, Katherine Steichen Rosing, Theresa Abel, and Ann Orlowski. Anyone in attendance is welcome to speak.  This event will begin at 2pm on the second floor of the building in gallery no.5 with no specific end time.