September 18 - October 16, 2004
Opening reception: Saturday, September 18, 5 –7pm

The Great Lovely (From the Ghetto to the Sunshine)

Nathaniel Quinn

A story from Chicago’s inner city becomes a comic strip installation this first New York solo exhibition by Nathaniel Quinn.

“It all began in apartment 604. . . “ and it takes off from there to tell of Brownfield, a college drop out and loser, and of Mem, his ambitious, degree-holding wife, who is determined to leave Chicago’s inner city projects they both live in. The two characters are the tools that let the artist talk about personal and fictional experiences he and others have gone through. With Brownfield and Mem Nathaniel Quinn has created two memorable personalities, and the bleak environment they inhabit.

The comic strip is composed of scenes made from cardboard. They are not flat surfaces, each piece has three-dimensionality built into it, with some scenes spilling onto the gallery floor. Scenes and characters are accompanied by thought bubbles that contain dialogue and conversation. The language is explicit; and true to the subculture and context in which the story takes place; it is as raw as the emotions the two characters convey. Nathaniel Quinn has developed this piece over the last two years. A 2004 Bronx Museum Art in the Market Place fellow, Nathaniel Quinn received an MFA from New York University in 2002.

The Great Lovely project is generously supported by The Greenwall Foundation.

DIRECTIONS:

Take 2, 3, or 4 trains to Franklin Avenue. Walk two blocks against the traffic on Franklin. Walk ¾ block to 558 St. Johns Place. FiveMyles is within easy walking distance from the Brooklyn Museum.