Northern Illinois University
Art Museum
College of Visual and Performing Arts

Transparency Exhibition Suite

Transparent Factors in Form and Content
November 15 - February 15, 2019 (closed university holidays)

Transparent Factors presents literal and figurative interpretations and investigations along the spectrum of transparency, translucency and opacity. Artists in the exhibition explore the capacity of “transparent” mediums like air, water, light and glass to clarify and reveal, or to obscure and distort (sometimes simultaneously). Some artists see visual phenomena as metaphors for the openness, disclosure and accessibility (or lack thereof) in practices of wielding authority, making decisions or disseminating information.

Work for Transparent Factors was selected by invitation, national call for entries, and from the NIU Art Museum Collections. Reviewed and initially selected by the NIU Art Museum Exhibition Advisory Committee. Final curation, selection of pieces and installation layout developed by Peter B. Olson, Assistant Director, Curator and Collections Manager, NIU Art Museum.

Vanishing Art from Myanmar:
The Buddhist Reverse Glass Painting Tradition
November 15 - February 15, 2019 (closed university holidays)

Explores the complex Buddhist tradition as it is revealed through the work of some artists from the last village in Burma dedicated to the reverse glass painting technique and tradition known since the art form’s introduction to the region in the 18th century.

Curated by Dr. Catherine Raymond, Director, Center for Burma Studies and Professor of Art History and presented in conjunction with the International Symposium "Looking Through The Glass: The Asian Reverse Glass Painting Traditions” on November 16, 2018.

Raymond’s research was funded by a Rakow Grant from the Corning Museum of Glass in Corning, NY.

Ambrotypes: Photographs on Glass
November 15 - February 15, 2019 (closed university holidays)

Explores the original, unique photographic images produced on glass plates during the 19th century.

The ambrotypes on view here are examples of a short-lived photographic process widely popular by the 1860s, but by the end of the American Civil War they were replaced by the tintype and later paper photographs. Ambrotypes offered a simpler development process using less expensive glass plates that were easier to produce with faster processing times which effectively made studio portraits much more affordable.

SWEET, Golden and Delicious…"Faculty-select and Museum-certified" NIU Studio and Design Alumni Artists (August 28 - October 19, 2018)

An invitational exhibition of studio and design alumni artists recommended by current and former faculty, SWEET, Golden and Delicious… presents recent work by six dozen artists from five decades representing eleven areas of visual study. Artists needed to be actively practicing and showing their work. Works on view represent a variety of approaches to photography, sculpture, fiber, jewelry and metalwork, printmaking, illustration, ceramics, painting, drawing, graphic design, and time arts. In addition, there is a sound piece, and video documentation of an artist creating a lithograph, and of a large public art piece being made.

Imagery and Icons: Former Tenure and Tenure-track Faculty (September 18 - October 19, 2018)

As part of the alumni exhibitions and anniversary celebrations this exhibition showcases work from former faculty in an intimate, salon style exhibition. Participating artists at this time include: Renie Adams, Walter Ball, Jay Paul Bell, Richard Beard, Dorothea Bilder, Robert Bornheutter, David Bower, Karen Brown, David Driesbach, Yale Factor, Larry Gregory, Andrew Liccardo, Ben Mahmoud, Ron Mazanowski, Philip Melnick, Ashley Nason, Mark A. Nelson, Jack Olson, Charlotte Rollman, John Rooney, Lee Sido, Doug Stewart, Ed Syrek, and Bruce White.

Reclaimed Baggage (March 27 - May 18, 2018)

Migration and globalization play a pivotal role on the formation of identity. Despite overwhelming pressure on women to be the transmitters and upholders of culture, migration is an opportunity for reinventing the self as they navigate their new cultural landscape. Group exhibition of artwork by South Asian American women curated by Nirmal Raja.

Shaurya Kumar: All We are Breaking are Stones (April 5 - May 18, 2018)

An exhibition of work by Chicago artist Shaurya Kumar who reflects on loss, destruction, iconoclasm and marginalization. The raw materiality of his installations combined with the representation of architectural forms suggest ruin but are layered with notions of transformation and narrative.