University Galleries

Artist Alison Ruttan will be giving a lecture on her work at noon Thursday, October 24. Unmaking of Places and Histories features new and recent architectural ceramic sculptures by Chicago-based artist Alison Ruttan. She draws on the histories of art, architecture, and warfare to address the aftermath of conflicts in Syria, Lebanon, and Iraq, as a way of, in her words, “bearing witness from here.” One gallery is dedicated to the artist’s Dark City, a tabletop row of nine white ceramic buildings…

Solo exhibition by artist Alison Ruttan. The exhibition will be on display from October 25-December 15. Unmaking of Places and Histories features new and recent architectural ceramic sculptures by Chicago-based artist Alison Ruttan. She draws on the histories of art, architecture, and warfare to address the aftermath of conflicts in Syria, Lebanon, and Iraq, as a way of, in her words, “bearing witness from here.” One gallery is dedicated to the artist’s Dark City, a tabletop row of nine white ceramic buildings…

Don’t let them clip your tiny little insect wings is an exhibition by artist Eric Anthony Berdis made to celebrate LGBTQ+ folks, reflect on the historical struggles of the community’s past, and encourage allyship. The exhibition will be on display from October 25-December 15.

Remember You Are A Sunflower: Drawings, Artifacts, and Scores for a Performance is a satellite exhibition by artist Eric Anthony Berdis at Milner Library on the 6th floor. This exhibition invites viewers to join the artist’s conversation about Queer culture, pronoun sharing, body acceptance, allyship, and striving for the goal to end homophobic and transphobic language. The exhibition will be on display from October 25-December 15.

Opening reception for two exhibitions!   -Eric Anthony Berdis: Don't let them clip your tiny little insect wings -Alison Ruttan: Unmaking of Places and Histories The reception is free and open to the public. Please contact University Galleries at (309) 438-5487 or gallery@ilstu.edu for additional information. "Don’t let them clip your tiny little insect wings," Eric Anthony Berdis’ solo exhibition, celebrates LGBTQ+ folks, reflects on the historical struggles of the community’s past, and encourages allyship. Comprised of elaborate sculptures, quilted…

Eric Anthony Berdis will be delivering an artist talk at Milner Library for his satellite exhibition Remember You Are A Sunflower: Drawings, Artifacts, and Scores for a Performance. This artist talk will take place on the 6th floor of the library at 9 a.m. October 28.

A panel discussion with Eric Anthony Berdis will feature Emily Patterson (Pride at ISU President); Nadia Stiegman (artist and Illinois State University alumna); and Alexander Martin (Central Illinois Friends Outreach Coordinator and Educator). Panelists will share their personal experiences as they discuss pronouns and name changes, the importance of allies, and how to end homophobic and transphobic language.

University Galleries will host a participatory performance by artist Eric Anthony Berdis on Monday, October 28th. Informed by Allen Ginsberg’s poem, “The Sunflower Surta,” Berdis’ second performance is titled Don’t forget you are a sunflower and will take place in University Galleries surrounded by his work. During each performance Berdis will introduce himself using his name and pronouns, then will invite participants to do the same. The personal introductions will initiate a broader conversation about safe and inclusive spaces.

University Galleries will host an Artist Lecture organized by Normal Editions Workshop. Mark E. Ritchie will give an artist talk at noon.

Art Around You tour and workshop co-presented with the Children’s Discovery Museum.

Bring your youngest art lovers to visit the exhibitions before we open to the public.