JEFFERSON PARK — Photos of some of rock's biggest stars are set to go on display at the Ed Paschke Art Center, which welcomed its first artists in residence this month.
"Superstars," a career retrospective of rock photographer Paul Natkin, will open May 1 at the art center, 5415 W. Higgins Ave.
"Superstars" features more than 20 pictures of legendary musicians, such as Miles Davis, Johnny Cash, Ice Cube and Guns and Roses, as captured by Natkin, an internationally acclaimed photographer.
The exhibition, curated by Natkin, includes both large format, color and black and white photographs of on-stage performances, and black-and-white close-up portraits, organizers said.
Natkin's photographs have appeared on dozens of magazine covers, including Newsweek and People, as well as numerous album covers, including Ozzy Osbourne, Alanis Morissette and Buddy Guy.
Natkin was friends with Paschke, an internationally acclaimed artist and Chicago native.
“Paul [Natkin] and Ed [Paschke] were friends who bonded over a love of sports, although they’re both huge music fans as well," said Vesna K. Stelcer, chairwoman of the Ed Paschke Foundation. "Similar to Paschke, Paul is a down-to-earth, hard worker with a blue-collar background. We’re thrilled to bring viewers his 'Superstars.'”
In addition, the art center launched its annual artist-residency program, which is designed to give artists the resources to pursue their work as part of a collaboration with the Luminarts Cultural Foundation of the Union League of Chicago.
Erin Chlaghmo and John Metido will work at the art center through April 26. They will exhibit both finished works and allow visitors to see their workspace and creative process.
“One of the goals of the Ed Paschke Art Center is to support the careers of Chicago artists by providing them with a space to not just exhibit their work, but to engage with our community,” Stelcer said. “This residency program allows viewers access to the typically off limits, behind-the-scenes territory of an artists’ studio, similar to our installation of Paschke’s Howard Street Studio space already on site.”
Chlaghmo uses textiles to create everything from large-scale installations to intimate wall hangings. She plans to construct a working loom in her studio space and collaborate with Jefferson Park's Muslim community, organizers said.
Metido uses the classic technique of trompe l’oeil to create paintings of cheap, mass produced toys and gag items, which is similar to much of Paschke's work, organizers said.
For more information, call 312-533-4911, go to edpaschkeartcenter.org or email info@edpaschkeartcenter.org.
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