October at Perspective “The Power of Place: Geographical Memories and Identity”

Sept. 1, 2024. How does where you live influence who you are? Exploring this, Perspective  Gallery’s October 3rd through 27th show, “The Power of Place: Geographical Memories and  Identity,” features two new series of work by artists Susan Isaacson and Katsy Johnson. Stylistically, Isaacson’s black-and-white, “At Silver Lake” images, and Johnson’s “Second City DNA” mixed media pop pieces are very different bodies of work. But both series invite viewers to reflect on the  deep connections between personal history, memory and the environments that shape us. Please  join us for the opening reception Saturday, October 5th from 5 to 7 p.m., and for the virtual artists’ talk Thursday, October 17th.

Delving into the space between memory and imagination, Isaacson’s, “At Silver Lake” began as  an exploration of personal photographic archives—images that evoked the sense of wonder and  curiosity Isaacson experienced growing up along the shores of her family lake home. While re photographing vintage slides, Isaacson invited refracted light, environmental intrusions, and focal  plane shifts to transform the images. “The unpredictable magic in the recorded flecks of light,” she  says, “connected me to an imagined world and to the enduring energy of loved ones who are no  longer here.” During the creation of this series, Isaacson experienced the profound loss of both of  her brothers to terminal illness, infusing her recollection with a poignant perspective on love, loss  and the passage of time.

Meanwhile, Johnson’s, “Second City DNA,” is an exploration of identity and memory, through the lens of a southern transplant. Johnson moved to Chicagoland 30 years ago and “Second City DNA” reflects on her adopted identity in unique multi-media pieces that blend photographs, acrylic paint and charcoal. Johnson’s project was sparked by a convergence of two seemingly unrelated experiences. The first involved revising family charts that had been muddled by misremembered details. At the same time, she was bothered by several grim, dystopian online portrayals of Chicago. As these experiences merged, Johnson’s perception shifted to imagining Chicago’s cherished landmarks and iconic spots intertwined with notions of genealogical connections, prompting her to see these images as symbols of Chicago’s rich history and vibrant culture.

To view the show, visit any Th.-Sat from noon to 6 p.m.; Sunday’s noon to 5 p.m. at 1310-1/2B Chicago Avenue,  Evanston, IL, 60201. For more information, please visit https://perspectivegallery.org/