Nathaniel Mary Quinn

×

Expand

Mixed-media artist Nathaniel Mary Quinn grew up in a tough housing project on Chicago’s South Side. His mother died and his remaining family abandoned him at age 15 while he was away at boarding school. Quinn’s collage-style art, with its fractured approach to portraiture, reflects the artist’s rocky beginnings and brings life to the emotional scars that inform his style. He paints people based not on how they look, but on his emotional connection to their life and their pain, he says. The inner portraits of his subjects, some of whom grew up in the projects with him, help reflect the emotional fragmentation that lives within us all. Through March 3. Closed 12/24-25, 31, 1/1.

press release: On view in MMoCA’s State Street Gallery from December 1, 2018 through March 3, 2019. The MMoCA Opening celebration will be held on Friday, November 30 from 6 to 9 pm. The artist will discuss his working methods as well as the inspiration for his work. This talk will be in the museum’s lecture hall from 6:30 to 7:15 pm. $10.

This exhibition has inspired community members to collaborate with the museum on these upcoming exhibition-related events. All are free and open to the public, as is the museum.

Feb 7, 1–1:45 PM • Nathaniel Mary Quinn: Time, Memory and the Notational Self: T.L. Solien will discuss the perception of the temporal in Quinn’s graphic structure and imagery. He will also address the artist’s innovative approach to the figure within the history of portraiture. T.L. Solien is professor of art at the UW-Madison.

MOVED TO FEB. 8, 6:30–7:30 PM • Consent Culture: With consideration given to Quinn’s artwork, Ali Muldrow will lead a discussion of racism and rape in contemporary American society , and explore ways of acting with compassion and respect. Ali Muldrow is co-director of GSAFE.

Feb 9, 1–1:30 PM • Drop-in Tour:Expertly led by an MMoCA docent, this free, 30-minute guided tour considers Quinn’s creative decisions and provides insight into his methods, ideas, and influences.

Feb 15, 6:30–7:30 PM • Poetry Speaks: A Response to Nathaniel Mary Quinn: MMoCA will present a poetry reading for Nathaniel Mary Quinn: This is Life in partnership with Madison Poet Laureate Oscar Mireles and poet Dana Maya. Quinn’s extraordinary portraits will be the inspiration for original poetry by Fabu, Derek Johnson, Cherene Sherrard, Cooper Talbot, Angie Trudell Vasquez, and Rob Franklin, as well as Maya and Mireles.

Feb 28, 6:30–7:30 PM • African American Women: Femininity and Strength: Prompted by Quinn’s painting Big Bertha, a panel of scholars and community leaders, led by Dawn Crim, will discuss femininity and strength as celebrated in the African American community.