{"id":892,"date":"2020-04-20T15:13:11","date_gmt":"2020-04-20T20:13:11","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/www.artonsedgwick.org\/blog\/?p=892"},"modified":"2020-05-05T10:55:34","modified_gmt":"2020-05-05T15:55:34","slug":"pierce-cruz-lookingglass-theatre","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.artonsedgwick.org\/blog\/pierce-cruz-lookingglass-theatre\/","title":{"rendered":"Pierce Cruz & Lookingglass Theatre"},"content":{"rendered":"

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Pierce I. Cruz is a mixed media artist living and working in Chicago, IL. His work primarily focuses on his explorations and identity in the world around him. Cruz has exhibited in ICONIC: Black Panther, a juried show in Woodstock IL, and the Beverly Art Center. He recently finished an artist residency at the WNDR Museum and is working as the Marketing Assistant for Chicago Children\u2019s Theatre. His studio is located at Art on Sedgwick where he is a teaching artist and resident artist at Marshall Field Gardens Community Center.<\/p>\n

PIERCEICRUZ.COM<\/a><\/h3>\n
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am i? I AM.<\/strong><\/h3>\n

2018-ongoing | Oil & mixed media on canvas | 11″ x 14″<\/p>\n

Self-Portraits that explore my identity under the influences of various factors including media stereotypes and personal situations.<\/em><\/p>\n

A selection of these self-portraits were exhibited at ICONIC: Black Panther. Since 2016, ICONIC: Black Panther has been celebrating the legacy of the Black Panther Party in American history, interpreted through pop up group shows featuring emerging and legendary artists alike. In recognition of one of the most influential political movements in the past century, this exhibition was planned in conjunction with the 50th anniversary of the Black Panther Party\u2019s Illinois chapter.<\/p>\n

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Black Like Us\u00a0<\/strong>
\nCollaborative Portrait Series<\/h3>\n

2019-ongoing | Marker and White-Out on Linen Paper | 26″ x 40″<\/p>\n

Black like Us<\/em>\u00a0is a portrait series of children from Marshall Field Garden Apartments, who in turn participated in coloring the vibrant street-art like vistas in the background of each portrait.<\/p>\n

Inspired by the poem “Dream Variations” by Langston Hughes. As an artist-in-residence at Art on Sedgwick, I wanted to celebrate the unique identity of the children at the Marshall Field Garden Apartment Homes. Neighbors of the community, including local children assisted in the pattern and colors provided in the background. These patterns connect with each other in an infinite loop to emphasize “We’re here, we matter”.<\/em><\/p>\n

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Dream Variations<\/strong><\/em>
\nLangston Hughes – 1902-1967<\/p>\n

To fling my arms wide
\nIn some place of the sun,
\nTo whirl and to dance
\nTill the white day is done.
\nThen rest at cool evening
\nBeneath a tall tree
\nWhile night comes on gently,
\nDark like me\u2014
\nThat is my dream!
\nTo fling my arms wide
\nIn the face of the sun,
\nDance! Whirl! Whirl!
\nTill the quick day is done.
\nRest at pale evening . . .
\nA tall, slim tree . . .
\nNight coming tenderly
\nBlack like me.<\/p>\n

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The Golden Child (2019)<\/strong><\/p>\n

In response to the parental pressures of being an honor student and subsequent depression, this pin serves as a symbol of my self-authentication-only I can influence my worth. My signature beanie also serves a historical context to the Phrygian hat, which was seen as a symbol of liberty during the French Revolution. They cost $15 but if you can\u2019t afford it, pay what you can in the midst of Covid-19. Contact Pierce for info at: <\/span><\/span>\u00a0piercecruz74@yahoo.com<\/a><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

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Pierce Cruz at Lookingglass Theatre<\/h2>\n

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Pierce Cruz’s Work “Black Like Us” at Lookingglass Theatre & Pierce Cruz with playwright J. Nichole Brooks.<\/strong><\/p>\n

Lookingglass Theatre Company exhibited a collection of Pierce’s portraits during their latest production,\u00a0Her Honor Jane Byrne,\u00a0<\/em><\/strong>which takes place in 1981 in our neighborhood and shines a spotlight on three weeks in the lives of Jane Byrne (Chicago’s first woman Mayor) and residents of the Cabrini-Green housing project. Black Like Us<\/em>\u00a0was featured as a connection to the current community. Before the play was closed due to COVID-19, audience members\u00a0were able to see Cruz’s portraits of children living in Marshall Field Garden Apartments now next to historic pictures of the era depicted in the play. Marshall Field Garden Apartment Homes, where the Art on Sedgwick studio is located, is a few blocks from Cabrini-Green and is mentioned in the play.<\/p>\n

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Art + Impact Teens go to Lookingglass<\/h1>\n

We’re so thankful that\u00a0Lookingglass Theatre Company<\/strong>\u00a0made it possible for the teens in our Art + Impact program and many community members to see the play during the few days it was open. We’re also grateful for the time invested by several of their artists \u2014 Andy White, J Nicole Brooks, and Osiris Khepera — leading workshops with the teens.\u00a0We miss you all!<\/em><\/strong><\/p>\n

\"Lookingglass<\/a>
Left: Writer and Director J. Nichole Brooks modeling COVID-19 safety as she says goodbye & hello to her newly released play, Her Honor Jane Byrne. Right – Top : Christine Mary Dunford as Jane Byrne and Nicole Michelle Haskins as Tiger in Lookingglass Theatre Company’s Her Honor Jane Byrne, by J. Nicole Brooks, 2020. Stage Manager Tess Golden. Photo by Liz Lauren. Right Bottom: Christine Mary Dunford as Jane Byrne and Taron Patton as Marion Stamps in Lookingglass Theatre Company’s Her Honor Jane Byrne, by J. Nicole Brooks, 2020. Stage Manager Tess Golden. Photo by Liz Lauren.<\/em><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n

Lookingglass Theatre Company’s New Podcast<\/h1>\n

A playwright, an activist, and a non-profit leader walk into\u00a0The Infinite Room<\/em><\/strong>\u00a0and talk about the intersection of art, politics, and the way radical imagination can lead to real change.<\/p>\n

Episode 001: Her Honor Jane Byrne and the Past, Present and Future of Public Housing<\/a><\/h4>\n

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