Shawnee Barton
The extremely narrow pursuit of one's personal taste
January 11 - February 16, 2008
giftshop project space is pleased to announce the opening of “The extremely narrow pursuit of one's personal taste”. A solo exhibition showcasing photos, drawings and sculpture by Chicago's own Shawnee Barton. The show title references an explanation of egocasting as defined by Christine Rosen of the New Atlantis: Journal of Technology & Society. Shawnee Barton's work opens up for discussion the positive and negative aspects of being able to control how one views and interacts with the world, while attempting to take responsibility for her relationship to the process of making art.
The artist herself addresses the issue of egocasting by citing the fact that, “We live in a time where we only have to listen to our favorite songs on our Ipods, we can spend hours upon hours picking out just the right camera or dress online, and thanks to Tivo, we only have to watch the shows we want to watch on television. I’m not sure if this relatively new way of life makes us increasingly narrow-minded or more in tune with what we want and who we are. Because we invest so much in the media and goods we obsess over, we see them as a part of ourselves and use them as material for creating identity.”
Shawnee Barton examines personal taste, by being very selective with her own. Barton makes work limited to her memories and things which she enjoys. The artwork on display in “The extremely narrow pursuit of one's personal taste,” will focus on Barton's favorite things. She will present a memorial wreath to her favorite dog, map out a day of eating at her favorite restaurants, draw with ice cream (her favorite food), and show a drawing of a collection of references to her favorite number. Barton's enjoyment of these things, and also, the art making process make these pieces lighthearted and easy to engage with.
Barton addresses her art making process by saying, “As an extremely self aware person, I understand that my art is often my therapy. My art is about me and the things I think about, care about, and obsess over. It is very clear that my art is a strong reflection of the identity I present to the world. Most art that people make is about these things, and I have always been a little puzzled when artists won't admit this. It seems like by hiding what it actually is, we deny the validity of the purpose it serves. Having an emotional or therapeutic outlet is good. Achieving greater self awareness through art (even self-obsessed art) creates a society with healthier, happier people.”
Shawnee Barton graduated from the School of the Art Institute with an MFA from the print media department in 2006. She has completed an Open Studio Program Residency, and has had her work exhibited at For Public Consumption, at Links Hall & The Hyde Park Arts Center. Barton was also a participant in the 43rd Annual VERSIONFEST Photographic Invitational, at the Zhou B Center, and has curated many shows including Spun From the Web, which was on display at SAIC's Gallery 2.
January 11 - February 16, 2008
giftshop project space is pleased to announce the opening of “The extremely narrow pursuit of one's personal taste”. A solo exhibition showcasing photos, drawings and sculpture by Chicago's own Shawnee Barton. The show title references an explanation of egocasting as defined by Christine Rosen of the New Atlantis: Journal of Technology & Society. Shawnee Barton's work opens up for discussion the positive and negative aspects of being able to control how one views and interacts with the world, while attempting to take responsibility for her relationship to the process of making art.
The artist herself addresses the issue of egocasting by citing the fact that, “We live in a time where we only have to listen to our favorite songs on our Ipods, we can spend hours upon hours picking out just the right camera or dress online, and thanks to Tivo, we only have to watch the shows we want to watch on television. I’m not sure if this relatively new way of life makes us increasingly narrow-minded or more in tune with what we want and who we are. Because we invest so much in the media and goods we obsess over, we see them as a part of ourselves and use them as material for creating identity.”
Shawnee Barton examines personal taste, by being very selective with her own. Barton makes work limited to her memories and things which she enjoys. The artwork on display in “The extremely narrow pursuit of one's personal taste,” will focus on Barton's favorite things. She will present a memorial wreath to her favorite dog, map out a day of eating at her favorite restaurants, draw with ice cream (her favorite food), and show a drawing of a collection of references to her favorite number. Barton's enjoyment of these things, and also, the art making process make these pieces lighthearted and easy to engage with.
Barton addresses her art making process by saying, “As an extremely self aware person, I understand that my art is often my therapy. My art is about me and the things I think about, care about, and obsess over. It is very clear that my art is a strong reflection of the identity I present to the world. Most art that people make is about these things, and I have always been a little puzzled when artists won't admit this. It seems like by hiding what it actually is, we deny the validity of the purpose it serves. Having an emotional or therapeutic outlet is good. Achieving greater self awareness through art (even self-obsessed art) creates a society with healthier, happier people.”
Shawnee Barton graduated from the School of the Art Institute with an MFA from the print media department in 2006. She has completed an Open Studio Program Residency, and has had her work exhibited at For Public Consumption, at Links Hall & The Hyde Park Arts Center. Barton was also a participant in the 43rd Annual VERSIONFEST Photographic Invitational, at the Zhou B Center, and has curated many shows including Spun From the Web, which was on display at SAIC's Gallery 2.
