Out on the town...

For the first time since 2003, the MCA's 12 x 12 series, a showcase for emerging Chicago artists, features the work of an openly gay artist. William J. O'Brien uses mixed media to explore various themes, including personal and sexual identity. John Parot, who showcased his work at 12 x 12 in 2003, and Erik Sosa, the 2005 Out magazine Emerging Artist award winner, weigh in on the show.

Time Out Chicago: What stood out to you most about O'Brien's installation?
John Parot: The patterns and imagery were incredible. You won't be able to stop looking at them. I felt part detective, wanting to learn more about this strange and fascinating space.
Erik Sosa: I found his work to be eerie because he scratches the eyes out of the people's faces in his collages. The untitled piece really caught my eye, because I felt it expressed a collision of two different worlds, mine and his.
TOC: O'Brien uses mixed media to examine gender and sexual identity, among other issues. Do you think he portrays this successfully in his work?
JP: I think his work is much more than "gender and sexual identity," and his use of various media and materials is sublime.
ES: I could not make sense of O'Brien's work. At first sight, I was quick to judge and felt like the work was coming from a hormonal Boy Scout desperately trying to earn his arts-and-crafts badge. [However], I did return to O'Brien's installation the following day to get a better understanding of his work.
TOC: Do you tackle similar issues in your own work?
JP: In my work, I respond to events that happen in everyday life, whether it be a snub at a gay bar or a popular song on the radio. I try to make sense of all these experiences. I believe we all have the same feelings from time to time and we all have questions we want answered.
ES: To me, art has no gender or lifestyle. Instead, it is a portrayal of experiences, emotions and ideas.
TOC: It seems like a lot of gay men think of art as black-and-white pics of naked men. Do you think it's a challenge to bring gay audiences to see your work?
JP: I've seen a lot of black-and-white nudes in many a gay man's apartment...those Abercrombie guys are very appealing running around in their underwear. I mean, who can compete with that? It's just one of those things.
ES: Some people can relate to my art, some can't. It was something that was hard to swallow at first...but I appreciate the feedback and usually take it and make it my own.
TOC: Do you find a lot of homo artists out there, or is it dominated by straights?
ES: You raise a good question. Nowadays, I hear of more gay "designers" than artists.
TOC: Is Chicago a nurturing place for an artist?
JP: This city is great for visual artists...There's always something to see, to talk about, to experience and always a lot of free wine!—Jason A. Heidemann

The 12 x 12 series features William J. O'Brien's works through October 30. See Art & Design listings. Erik Sosa's art will appear in the December issue of Out magazine. John Parot's work is in the group show "Into the Woods" at the University of Chicago's Gallery 400 beginning Friday 21.