Opening Reception for Fall Exhibitions

Celebrate the opening of our fall exhibitions, Scott Burton: Shape Shift and Brendan Fernandes: In Two.

American artist Scott Burton (1939–1989) made what he described as “sculpture in love with furniture.” Scott Burton: Shape Shift includes over forty artworks focusing on the artist’s use of furniture and performance to express identity and explore social dynamics, such as intimacy, distance, collectivity, and isolation. In addition to the artist’s sculptures, photographs, drawings, and documentation of performances, Scott Burton: Shape Shift also sheds light on the artist’s contributions to conceptual art, public art, and queer art, as well as his roles as a curator and art critic.

Brendan Fernandes: In Two is a new sculpture and performance work by Chicago-based artist Brendan Fernandes (b. 1979, Kenya). Organized in response to Scott Burton: Shape Shift, Fernandes has choreographed a series of duets that engage with Burton’s “furniture sculptures”—artworks that were originally made for public use. Like Burton, Fernandes draws on gestures and signaling within gay cruising culture as part of an ongoing exploration of queer camouflage, visibility, and embodiment. In addition to the performances, Fernandes has made curtains and props installed in the galleries and activated by dancers during performances. Fernandes’ project highlights the continued impact of Burton’s legacy on artists today.