"The Taxonomy of Peggy Macnamara" Opening Reception

March 9–April 28, 2023
Opening Reception: Thursday, March 9, 4–7 p.m.

The Department of Exhibitions, Performance and Student Spaces’ Glass Curtain Gallery is pleased to present a solo exhibition by Peggy Macnamara. Come celebrate the opening on Thursday, March 9 from 4 p.m. to 7 p.m., the artist will be present.

The Taxonomy of Peggy Macnamara features an immense array of artwork that has been created during Macnamara’s tenure as the only artist in residence at the Field Museum. This exhibition focuses on her relationship to observing and working among the collections over decades where practice as an artist, teacher, and collaborator has developed a process of long looking that has created a taxonomy of its own.  

Macanamara has traveled across the world, geared with her pencils and watercolors, investigating the fascinating intricacies of nature alongside scientists and peers from the Field Museum. Although her work uses the academic approach of illustrating, her savvy is evident in her loose handling of her art materials to document plants, animals, and related conservation work. Macanamara’s work artfully captures living things (or in some cases—once living), educates us, and sparks interest in the complexities of the natural world.

This exhibition hones in on a tapestry of works that inspire curiosity and deep looking at plants, animals, and the dynamic relationships between them. Macanamara’s attention to detail, and skilled hand at analytically dissecting plants and animals is revealed through the works that leave the stages of the development of a piece visible. We engage with her work for the love of looking, but inevitably discussions about nature, extinction, conservation, and collections permeate its surface. Come take a peek behind the scenes of the Field Museum’s collections through Macnamara’s work, and through special tours accompanying this exhibition.

During the run of The Taxonomy of Peggy Macnamara, a full-color catalog will be issued that includes essays by DEPS Executive Director, Meg Duguid and Senior Exhibitions Coordinator, Mark Porter. This exhibition runs from March 9 through April 28, 2023, with a catalog release party on Thursday, April 27 from 4–7 p.m. Public programing includes an artist talk on demystifying watercolor on Saturday, April 8 at 1 p.m., and two chances for a Behind the Scenes Tour at the Field Museum on Thursday, March 23 at 1 p.m., and Saturday, April 22 at 1 p.m.

This project is partially supported by a grant from the Illinois Arts Council Agency. 
 

Follow us on Instagram
Like us on Facebook
To stay informed of upcoming shows and events please sign up on the DEPS online mailing list

Exhibition Contact: Mark Porter / mporter@colum.edu / 312-369-6643