Last Minute Plans: Seymour Rosofsky Exhibition At Corbett vs. Dempsey Gallery

By Julia Weeman in Arts & Entertainment on Jul 27, 2012 7:20PM

Xylophone Player, 1965, gouache and watercolor on paper, 19” x 25”, courtesy of Corbett vs. Dempsey

Tonight at Corbett vs. Dempsey gallery, see works on paper by Chicago artist Seymour Rosofsky. The opening reception for the exhibition, Xylophone Solo, is from 5-8 p.m. this evening. Rosofsky, who emerged in the late 1940s as part of the "Monster Roster" movement, is considered one of the key figures in 20th century Chicago art. The Monster Roster was deemed as such by critic Franz Schulze, based on their "existential, sometimes gruesome, semi-mystical figurative work."

Initially, Rosofsky painted "grotesque, existentially angst-ridden figures, perfect little monsters." However, by the early 1960s, he developed a singularly fantastical style rooted in observational painting. This is when he created works such as "Unemployment Agency," which currently hangs in Mayor Rahm Emanuel's office.

Rosofsky saw drawing as both a process and a medium and this show will focus around fifteen drawings using pencil, watercolor, pastel, and charcoal. Some of these drawings have close ties to his paintings, but some were imagined and executed on their own. In addition to the drawings, there will be a 44-page catalog with reproductions of the drawings and more of Rosofsky's works on paper.

Corbett vs. Dempsey is located on the third floor of the Dusty Groove building, at 1120 N. Ashland Ave. in Wicker Park. Tonight's opening is from 5-8 p.m. Gallery hours are Tuesday through Saturday, 11 a.m. to 5 p.m., and by appointment.