Ancient Athens Meets Modern Chicago

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Ancient Athens Meets Modern Chicago

November 18, 2008 by Relaxocat

Fayth a.k.a. Relaxocat, NBC5 Street Team

Somewhere around 500 B.C. the ancient artisans of Athens created vases and other vessels known as Red-figure pottery. These pieces of fine pottery and the method used to create them are considered by art historians as some of the most important examples of early art based on both technique and figure depiction. Here in Chicago 2008, the work of Nicholas Freeman (a rather modern man) presents us with the visual qualities of this technique, but with updated representations and symbolism.

…using Greek mythology as the base of western storytelling, the paintings use the moral root of particular myths and draw parallels between them and contemporary social and political practices. The work calls attention to the perpetuation of symbolist imagery and societal behavior throughout the history of western thought. – Nicholas Freeman

Photo courtesy of Karen Hoyt

These works are simply beautiful and bear a resemblance to pieces that one might find in a museum’s collection of ancient Greek art. They have the appeal of finding treasure from an archeological expedition – fragile, meaningful, and mysterious. If you have an appreciation for fine art and the delicate techniques used to create symbolic imagery and fine pottery, visit the Finch Gallery for the opening receptions on Friday and Saturday of this elaborate collection of vases. Nicholas will be there to better explain the techniques used and the images he chose. The process is really quite elaborate and definitely worth learning about, not to mention the work itself being truly amazing. And if you’re in the neighborhood at the Chicago Bluegrass and Blues Festival, you have no excuse not to come because the gallery is right around the corner!