March 9–April 16 in the Dorothea Thiel Gallery
information provided by South Suburban College
Since the 1980s, Jesse Howard’s socially-concerned drawings have focused on the plight of the homeless and the disenfranchised, particularly African Americans in urban environments. Informed by his own upbringing on Chicago’s West side and his life experience as a black man, Howard is sensitive to the way these populations are viewed, treated, and often dismissed. He explains, “At times, [a black man] is a prisoner within himself and/or the neighborhood he’s trapped in, usually because of his race or circumstances; one could argue that he was dead before birth.”
Produced in charcoal, watercolor, and collage, his figures are typically distorted, reflecting the pressure and anxiety the individuals feel inside as well as the perceptions and expectations imposed upon them by society. In addition, the physical presence of urban life is often evident through bits of newspaper, receipts, or various other scraps affixed to the surface of the portraits.
The public is welcome to visit art exhibitions and receptions at no charge. The Dorothea Thiel Gallery is located on the fourth floor and is open Monday–Friday, 9:00am–4:00pm. The galleries are closed on weekends and holidays.
South Suburban College is located at 15800 South State Street in South Holland, Illinois.
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