UWM Union Art Gallery Exhibit Shakes Up Definitions of Contemporary Culture Through Comic Art

John Jenkins, "Circuit Breaker"

MILWAUKEE –"WARNING: CONTAINS GRAPHIC IMAGES- A Cultural Critique Through Comics," will be on display in the University of Wisconsin–Milwaukee Union Art Gallery, 2200 E. Kenwood Blvd., Nov. 18-Dec. 15.

The exhibition showcases comic art and focuses on how it comments on diverse theoretical perspectives such as cultural studies, political environments, the economy, feminist critiques, and mythic analysis.

The show includes local, regional, and national artists whose artwork calls attention to the value of comics, and how they address social issues which may otherwise be under-represented in mainstream media.

The exhibit features works of art by Mark Newport, Craig Thompson, Max Estes, Susan Simensky Bietila, Tea Krulos, and others.

“WARNING: CONTAINS GRAPHIC IMAGES- A Cultural Critique Through Comics” opens with a reception on Friday, Nov. 18 from 5-8 p.m. The reception is free and open to the public.

“The exhibit actually was developed in anticipation of the Nov. 30 lecture by noted comic artist Art Spiegelman at UWM,” says Andrea Skyberg, gallery manager. “The artists in this exhibition are fundamentally indebted to Spiegelman who, with the publication of MAUS and MAUS II, elevated the lowly comic to an art form taken much more seriously.”

Skyberg says, “Spiegelman paved the way for artists to address serious social injustices in an exciting and popular medium. An explosion of art that centers on the themes, core ideas and style of comics is contributing greatly to the contemporary art world. Through their artwork, the artists in this exhibition address a variety of social issues: political, social, gender, race, religion and the environment. The intent within many of these artworks seems to be the message, whether it is a reflection on the past, a comment on the present or a quest towards a better future.”

UWM Union Art Gallery hours are 12-5 p.m. Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, Friday and Saturday; 12-7 p.m. Thursday; closed Sunday and holidays. For more information, phone 229-6310.

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