Anthony Gallery Presents “Laissez-Faire”, a Solo Exhibition Featuring Artwork By Alvin Armstrong, and “Homecoming”, a Solo Exhibition By Esiri Erheriene-Essi
- December 1, 2023
- 3 Min Read
CHICAGO, IL – Anthony Gallery is pleased to announce Laissez-Faire, a solo exhibition welcoming back contemporary artist Alvin Armstong, alongside Homecoming, a solo exhibition marking artist Esiri Erheriene-Essi’s Chicago debut. The opening is slated for December 1st, 2023 at 5 p.m. CST at 1360 W. Lake Street, Chicago, IL 60607. These collections of works will be on display until January 6th, 2024.
The pastel portraits in Laissez-Faire memorialize the lives of men, women, and children murdered as a consequence of police brutality. Alvin Armstrong began this series in 2020, stirred by social uprising in the wake of George Floyd’s murder. Spotlighting the legacies of individuals like Michael Brown, Elijah McClain, and Aiyana Jones, Armstrong honors each subject’s likeness in a style that references the illustrious history of the Japanese Samurai. His series serves as a call to action that challenges viewers to honor their own commitment to a freer and more equitable world.
Esiri Erheriene-Essi’s Homecoming explores home in the context of Black diasporic identities. Transforming vintage vernacular photography into large scale paintings, she reimagines scenes of daily life in explosive color and textured impasto. Paint becomes a form of speculative history, privileging neglected, untold, and forgotten narratives. The compositions capture small moments that scaffold legacy— photographs, incomplete stories, and scraps of memory honor the legacies of Black ancestors that traveled far and wide, making homes and fostering community wherever they landed.
“These shows celebrate Black life. Whether it’s Armstrong’s memorial pastels or Erheriene-Essi’s technicolor snapshots of the everyday, these exhibitions are testaments to the resilience of the Black diaspora.”
Isimeme “Easy” Otabor – Owner & Curator, Anthony Gallery
Both exhibitions will be open to the public from December 1st, 2023 through January 6th, 2024, and admission is free. Visitors are encouraged to come and explore the works on display.
For more information about the exhibition and the artists featured, please visit the Anthony Gallery website or contact info@anthonygallery.com.
About Anthony Gallery
Founded in 2019 by Isimeme “Easy” Otabor, Anthony Gallery focuses on emerging and established contemporary artists. Located in the West Loop of Chicago, the gallery presents solo and group exhibitions while fostering artistic collaborations and partnerships. Hosting artists from around the world, Anthony Gallery’s mission is to create bridges for more inclusion and opportunity within both local and global arts ecosystems.
Contact Anthony Gallery
1360 W. Lake St. Chicago, IL 60607
(312) 374-3129
anthonygallery.com
- February 2, 2024
- 3 Min Read
Anthony Gallery is pleased to announce Laissez-Faire, a solo exhibition welcoming back contemporary artist Alvin Armstong, alongside Homecoming, a solo exhibition marking artist Esiri Erheriene-Essi’s Chicago debut.
