By Chris Weber, Phoenix staff writer
Artists Jennifer Cronin and Alison Ruttan will discuss their works, which are currently on exhibition in the Gov State Library’s Skylight Gallery, at 3 p.m. on April 18.
The “Hydrological Shift” exhibit is not just art, it’s a reflection of our changing world. As climate change alters the distribution of water globally and conflict continues around the world, the artwork of Cronin and Ruttan offers a glimpse into a possible future. This exhibit is a poignant reminder of the concerns and consequences of human action (or inaction).
Cronin, a distinguished visual artist based in Chicago, captures the essence of daily life’s enigma and intricacies through her precise and evocative paintings. Her work has gained attention on platforms such as NPR and Newcity. It also has been showcased in notable venues like the Elmhurst Art Museum, Museo Internazionale Italia Arte, and the Grand Rapids Public Museum. An alumnus of the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, Cronin holds a Bachelor of Fine Arts in painting.
“I’ve always been interested in realism as a means to an end, using the labor of my hands to lure the viewer into deep thought,” Cronin wrote in the artist statement on her website.
Ruttan is a renowned artist whose creative expressions have been showcased in institutions across the globe, including the Minneapolis Institute of Art in Minnesota, the Chicago Cultural Center, Crystal Bridges Art Museum, the Museum of Contemporary Photography in Chicago, and internationally in venues such as Galerie Wit in the Netherlands and Rocket Gallery in London. Beyond her significant contributions to the art world through her works, Alison also has dedicated herself to nurturing the next generation of artists through her teaching roles at The School of the Art Institute of Chicago, The University of Chicago, and Columbia College in Chicago.
In addition to the collection of sculptures in the skylight gallery, Ruttan’s website showcases examples of her work.
The Skylight Gallery is free and accessible to the public whenever the Governors State University Library is open. More information about the visual arts exhibitions at GSU is available at www.govst.edu/gallery.
