Melissa Ann Pinney, Siesta Key, Florida (2008). Courtesy Schneider Gallery.

Host to many musical and cultural events, and recently home to some controversy with the Anish Kapoor incident, Chicago is in state of excitement in anticipation of one its biggest art fairs of the year: EXPO CHICAGO. Entering into its fourth year, the fair offers the best of contemporary and modern art through numerous panels, showcases, and in-situ projects all over the city from September 17–20.

In addition to all that EXPO CHICAGO has to offer, the “Windy City” has many exciting exhibitions that coincide with the fair for all art lovers to explore.

Opened last week, “Inquiry’s End” at Richard Gray Gallery features the first solo exhibition in Chicago by Bethany Collins, an artist who takes the material of the classroom to create poetic artworks—a topic that young schoolchildren should appreciate. Another artist making his inaugural debut in the Chicago gallery scene is Nathaniel Mary Quinn: the Chicago native and New York-based artist is back in town at Rhona Hoffman Gallery to introduce his collages depicting fractured features, spliced patterns, and shrunken or distended proportions. Then, take part in the celebration of 13 years’ worth of exhibitions at Russell Bowman Art Advisory by rediscovering artworks by Vivian Maier, Jasper Johns, Lucian Freud, and Roger Brown, among others.

If you’re curious to know more about the most secretive state in the world, you’d better head to the Museum of Contemporary Photography. Divided in two sections, the exhibition will show the government’s official version of North Korea and the alternative view through photographs, including work by Philippe Chancel, Seung Woo Back, or João Rocha. Another event, far from the beaten path but very much worth mentioning, is the Art + Design auction held at Wright on September 24. An exceptional hanging wire sculpture by Ruth Asawa is on display, among other great pieces by Louise Nevelson, Sol LeWitt, and Robert Rauschenberg.

Whatever your interest is, the “Heart of America” is ready to welcome you and will make you sing “Sweet Home Chicago.”

João Rocha, Looking at a Radish (2012). Courtesy the Museum of Contemporary Photography.

Exhibition: “North Korean Perspectives”
When: July 23–October 4, 2015
Where: Museum of Contemporary Photography, Columbia College Chicago, 600 South Michigan Avenue, Chicago, Illinois

Melissa Ann Pinney, Maui, Hawaii (2008). Courtesy Schneider Gallery.

Exhibition: “Melissa Ann Pinney – A closer look at TWO: A selection of photographs from the series Two”
When: September 4–September 29, 2015
Where: Schneider Gallery, 770 North LaSalle Dr. Suite 401, Chicago, Illinois

Nathaniel Mary Quinn, Junebug (2015). Courtesy Rhona Hoffman Gallery.

Exhibition: “Nathaniel Mary Quinn: Back and Forth”
When: September 9–October 24, 2015
Where: Rhona Hoffman Gallery, 118 North Peoria Street, Chicago, Illinois

Roger Brown, Miami Bridge, n.d.. Courtesy Russell Bowman Art Advisory.

Exhibition: “Celebration”
When: September 11–October 24, 2015
Where: Russell Bowman Art Advisory, 311 W. Superior, Suite 115, Chicago, Illinois

Young June Lew, Gaze 15-2. Courtesy of Andrew Bae Gallery.

Exhibition: “Young June Lew”
When: September 11–October 24, 2015
Where: Andrew Bae Gallery, 300 W. Superior Street, Chicago, Illinois

Bethany Collins, Bound, 1968 (2015). Courtesy Richard Gray Gallery.

Exhibition: “Bethany Collins: Inquiry’s End”
When: September 11–October 31, 2015
Where: Richard Gray Gallery, 875 N. Michigan Avenue, Suite 3800, Chicago, Illinois

Terry Winters, Notebook 189 (2003 – 2011). Courtesy Corbett vs. Dempsey.

Exhibition: “Terry Winters: The Pencil of Nature”
When: September 12–October 17, 2015
Where: Corbett vs. Dempsey, 3rd Floor, Dusty Groove building, 1120 North Ashland, Chicago, Illinois

Installation View. Courtesy Kavi Gupta.

Exhibition: “ASSISTED—Curated by Jessica Stockholder”
When: September 12–January 16, 2016
Where: Kavi Gupta Gallery, 219 North Elizabeth Street, Chicago, Illinois

Pichhvai with Krishna Fluting (late 19th century). Courtesy Amit Ambalal Collection and Art Institute of Chicago.

Exhibition: “Gates of the Lord: The Tradition of Krishna Paintings”
When: September 13–January 3, 2016
Where: Art Institute of Chicago, 111 South Michigan Avenue, Chicago, Illinois

Robert Natkin, Untitled (1958). Courtesy McCormick Gallery.

Exhibition: “Robert Natkin in Chicago: the 1950’s”
When: September 18–October 31, 2015
Where: McCormick Gallery, 835 W. Washington Boulevard, Chicago, Illinois

Carinthia West, Mick Jagger – Diamond Smile, Malibu, CA (1976). Courtesy Hilton|Asmus Contemporary.

Exhibition: “Visions of a Magic Time”
When: Opening Reception: September 18
Where: Hilton | Asmus Contemporary, 716 N. Wells Street, Chicago, Illinois

Ruth Asawa, Untitled. Courtesy Wright and the artist.

Event: “Art + Design”
When: September 24, 2015
Where: Wright, 1440 W. Hubbard, Chicago, Illinois

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