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June 3, 2020 - June 29, 2020

Works by Vanessa Compton will be on display in the Northern Trust Gallery from June 4 to June 29, 2020.

A FREE Virtual Artist’s Reception took place on Saturday, June 13 at 7:00 PM to celebrate her work. Click below to view the reception video.

collage, acrylic, oil on canvas
Vanessa Compton, A Night at the Garden, collage, acrylic, oil on canvas, 36 x 36

“Completed during the longest-ever government shutdown while an artist-in-residence at Hubbell Trading Post National Historic Site on the Navajo Nation.

Photograph of artist, Vanessa Compton“Sourced images of cowboys, cacti, craggy rock formations, and other iterations of the western visual vernacular feature heavily in my mixed media collages. These oft-romanticized icons of Americana can reflect a darker side of our nation’s past and its reverberations into the present. Considering the ways in which my personal story is informed by a historical narrative of settler-colonialism, institutionalized racism and normalized toxic masculinity, my most recent collages address themes of social justice through the lenses of my own gender identity, whiteness, and implicit personal privilege.

Central to my current process is the overarching question: “Who gets to tell whose story?” An open-ended exploration of identity and authenticity, my latest work attempts to remind the viewer of the power of intentional imagery – particularly that of negative imagery – to influence perceptions of oneself and others. Reflecting on the ways in which I have benefitted from systems of oppression as a white, cis-gendered woman, I believe that addressing our blind spots, however uncomfortable, is a critical step in moving the needle towards social justice. I do believe that in accountability lies a possibility for positive change.”

Vanessa Compton

FREE Admission sponsored by First Interstate Bank!

Vannessa Compton Virtual Artist Reception

We apologize for the video quality. Closed captions are available.