Lubeznik Center for the Arts

Bernard Williams: Hard Driving & Edra Soto:Tropicalamerican
October 3rd - January 9th
Hyndman Gallery
Opening Reception Oct 2nd 5-8pm (CDT)

Bernard Williams: Hard Driving features an installation that focuses on a life-size car sculpture, constructed from plywood. The car, titled: Scott Car is a tribute to NASCAR’s first Black driver, Wendell Scott. The 1977 movie Greased Lightning, was loosely based on the life of Wendell Scott. The sculpture and related objects frame American culture in relation to the automobile, unequal competition, and excessive consumption. 

Edra Soto: Tropicalamerican features a series of flags and chairs made by applying traditional crafting techniques to untraditional formats. Tropicalamerican (flags) were made with a variety of tropical leaves collaged and translated into a digital format. This series approaches the patriotic art tradition that for centuries artists like Robert Rauschenberg, Jasper Johns and David Hammons, among others, have followed with the intent of canonize events, aesthetics and American Culture.  Tropicalamerican (chairs) are plastic Monobloc chairs upholstered with beach towels. The tiger image on the towels animates the four-legged piece of furniture. Stalking them challenges their function and adds to their excess. Soto (b. Puerto Rico 1971) is a Chicago based artist. She attended The School of the Art Institute of Chicago where she obtained her Masters in Fine Arts in 2OOO. Immediately after, she attended the Skowhegan School of Painting and Sculpture. She has exhibited nationally and internationally. Recent presentations include: Hyde Park Art Center, the Museum of Contemporary Art of Chicago, Galeria Agustina Ferreyra in Puerto Rico and Field Projects in New York City.

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