Alex Chitty, Julia Fish, Miyoko Ito, Avery Z. Nelson, and Brittney Leeanne Williams
On View
Oct 30–Dec 11, 2021
Opening Reception
Sat, Oct 30, 12–4pm CST
Online Program
Thu, Nov 18 at 6pm CST
Tiger Strikes Asteroid Chicago is thrilled to present Both And featuring nuanced abstract paintings by Chicago-based artist Miyoko Ito (1918-1983), alongside contemporary sculptures and paintings by Alex Chitty, Julia Fish, Avery Z. Nelson, and Brittney Leeanne Williams. Each artwork is powerful in its ambiguity, containing contradictions in terms of spatial illusion and reference(s) which obliterate any supposed binary between “abstraction” and “representation.” By situating Ito’s work in relation to that of the artists working today, the exhibition opens up a dialogue around abstraction that calls attention to distinctive engagements with color, space, timelessness, and form.
1Miyoko Ito, “Tanima or Claude M. Nutt”, 1974 [1997.14], Unframed: 45 x 32 in. (114.3 x 81.3 cm) Framed: 46-3/8 x 33 in. (127.5 x 84 cm). : The David and Alfred Smart Museum of Art, The University of Chicago; Gift of Muriel Kallis Newman in honor of her grandchildren: Ellen Steinberg and Peter Steinberg. Image credit line: Photograph ©2021 courtesy
2Alex Chitty, “Linnet III”, 2019. Powder coated steel, cast aluminum; 69 3/4 x 27 x 10 in.
3Miyoko Ito, “1948,” 1978. Oil on canvas; 22 x 30 in. : Private Collection
4Julia Fish, "Brick Mirror”, 1997. Oil on canvas; 22 x 19 in.
5Avery Z. Nelson, "Holding," 2018. Graphite on paper; 11 x 13 in.
6Avery Z. Nelson, "Becoming Unknown," 2018. Graphite on paper; 11 x 13 in. : Courtesy of the artist
7Miyoko Ito, "Untitled," 1983. Oil and charcoal on canvas (unfinished), 46 5/8 x 42 in. (118.4 x 106.7 cm). : The David and Alfred Smart Museum of Art, The University of Chicago; Gift of Alan Ichiyasu. Image credit line: Photograph ©2021 courtesy of The David and Alfred Smart Museum of Art, The University of Chicago.
8Brittney Leeanne Williams, "Arch 7," 2020. Acrylic and pastel on canvas; 12 x 9 in. : Courtesy of the artist
9Brittney Leeanne Williams, "Arch 16," 2020. Acrylic and pastel on canvas; 12 x 9 in. : Courtesy of the artist
10Miyoko Ito, "The Ken," 1976. Oil on canvas; 46 x 34 in., framed
11Alex Chitty, "Tabled VIII," 2021. Stainless steel and aluminum patina; 19 x 5 1/4 x 1 3/4 in.
12Alex Chitty, "Tabled VII," 2021. Stainless steel and aluminum patina; 20 1/2 x 3 1/2 x 1 1/2 in.
13Alex Chitty, "Tabled VI," 2021. Stainless steel and aluminum patina; 2 x 13 x 1 ¼ in.
Virtual Artist Talk: join Tiger Strikes Asteroid Chicago on Thursday, November 18 at 6:00 pm CST for a virtual artist talk presented in conjunction with the exhibition Both And. TSA Chi member Nicole Mauser will moderate a conversation with the exhibiting artists that explores the relationship between abstraction and representation in their work. San Francisco-based curator Jordan Stein will elaborate on Ito’s work and life. Together we will make connections between each individual’s artistic practice as well as overlaps between the works on view. Register to attend here.
Links
Learn more about Miyoko Ito through the following collection of exhibition reviews, installation views, images, videos, podcasts, reading lists, and more.
To further the spirit of our mutual admiration for Miyoko Ito’s work, please submit additional links to nicolemauser@bothand.art.
Exhibitions
- The Renaissance Society Miyoko Ito "A Review” (Retrospective, 1980)
- Catalog PDF
- Jordan Stein on Miyoko Ito: Painting as Place
- Miyoko Ito / MATRIX 267
- ARTISTS SPACE Miyoko Ito: Heart of Hearts
- Abstract Imagist
- Miyoko Ito: Mistress of the Sea
- The Virtual Asian American Art Museum
Collections
- Art Institute of Chicago
- Roger Brown Study Collection virtual tour of the collection
- The Elmhurst University Art Collection
- Museum of Contemporary Art Chicago Collection
- Museum of Contemporary Art Chicago Collection
Interviews
- Video Data Bank Miyoko Ito Interview
- Looking Westward: A Chicago Artist Returns Home by Kate Pollasch
- Inside the Edition: 006 Katie Chung + Mark Pascale. An artist and curator talk about Miyoko Ito’s 1948 lithograph, From the Porch.
- Bad At Sports interview with John Corbett and Jim Dempsey
- "On Collecting" by Bianca Bova
Exhibition Reviews
- Brooklyn Rail
- Frieze
- WTTW
- Smithsonian Archives of American Art
- Light Effects: On Miyoko Ito’s Abstract Inventions
- The New Yorker
- Star Tribune
Artists Included in Both And
- Alex Chitty
- Julia Fish
- Avery Z. Nelson
- Brittney Leeanne Williams