CHICAGO—Windy City Times and Prairie Avenue Gallery will present artist Sam Kirk's show "Do you see me?" The art show will be Sept. 11-12, 1900 S. Prairie Ave., and will benefit youth homeless projects of the Pride Action Tank.
The show represents Kirk's visual study of youth homelessness and the role it plays in working-class communities, communities of color, and the LGBTQ community. Kirk will exhibit original paintings, sketches, wood-cuts, and sculptures that provoke viewers to pay attention, learn and get to know the people around them.
Kirk's work explores the intersections of culture and identity, which often include paths riddled with social issues and politics. "Do you see me?" addresses homelessness through a vibrant color palette and optimistic lens, provoking conversation and inspiring change.
Born and raised on the South Side of Chicago, Kirk is a product of a working-class family and has experienced many of the paths depicted in her work. She uses her work as a visual platform to incite change, and often exhibits in non-traditional settings, which allow her to use exhibits as a funding tool for organizations that help the people that inspire her work.
Sam Kirk's "Do you see me?" opening reception (with the artist) will take place Friday, Sept. 11, 5-10 p.m. Additional hours are Saturday, Sept. 12, 12-6 p.m.
See www.facebook.com/events/104825039867502/ .
About Sam Kirk:
Recognized nationally, Sam Kirk has exhibited in multiple cities across the US. She has received commissions from private collectors and commercial clients including collaborations with Don Julio, Guinness, Red Bull, Rolling Stone Magazine, and Smirnoff, among others. Earlier this year, Kirk designed the Chicago Made SXSW 2015 booth space and is currently featured in Chicago's Official Visitors Guide as one of five artists shaping the art scene. Her work has been featured in key mainstream and LGBT focused media outlets such as Windy City Times, Chicago Reader, Go Magazine, Dapper Q, L Stop, Quilt Magazine, AMFM, Art Break, Tasty Trade, and Dynasty Podcasts. Kirk earned a B.A. in Interior Design and a B.A. in Marketing from Columbia College Chicago.
About Pride Action Tank
The Pride Action Tank is a new organization which grew out of the Windy City Times LGBTQ Youth Homeless Summit in 2014. PAT's mission is to improve the health, safety, and progress of individuals and groups within the LGBTQIA community by inspiring, supporting and leading collaborative action that improves policy, service, access and community dynamics in the core areas of housing, health, safety, financial security, youth and aging. The tank is designed to bring together organizations, departments, experts, policy makers and community members to fill in gaps and ensure better services and supports for all people in our LGBTQIA communities.
