J. John Priola

15th Street, 2nd Floor J John Priola

Another artist I found at Art Chicago with whom I was unfamiliar is San Francisco artist J John Priola. After what seemed to be mile after mile of large color prints (don't get me wrong, I love large color prints) his strong black and white, graphic intimacies were a sorely needed rest for my eyes. They are simply stunning. Read a current review of a San Diego exhibit here.

Amy Stein posted referring to the event as the "art mall of America". She has a definite point. A marketplace is a marketplace no matter how tasteful and highbrow (the "cafe" areas had square vases with submerged fresh orchids) the table and chair groupings set up to ease the sale at each gallery's space are. But for this Midwesterner who has few and far between opportunities to experience the work first hand, Art Chicago (at least the first time) was a tremendous experience.