Illuminated Presence is a youth-focused project created by artist Ebony G. Patterson that explores how students assert their individuality amongst their peers and within their wider community. Students ranging from ages 11 to 13 were asked to identify an object of importance to them that made them stand out from the crowd. Patterson then engaged the students in a personal interview about these objects, asking them a variety of questions that point to how these special objects contribute to their difference amongst their peers and make them visible in a wider society that sees them invisible based on age, color or creed.  
The objects were loaned to the artist and Arts Incubator for the duration of the project and exhibited in the front gallery. Illuminated Presence is an opportunity to make these children visible and to have a meaningful dialog that allows their voices to be heard and for them to be seen and understood for this moment in time.
Illuminated Presence was made possible through a partnership with the University of Chicago Charter School and is on occasion of Patterson’s solo exhibition until you see them…,on view at Monique Meloche Gallery from November 14, 2013 - January 4, 2014. 


Ahnday H.

lluminated Presence is a youth-focused project created by artist Ebony G. Patterson that explores how students assert their individuality amongst their peers and within their wider community. Students ranging from ages 11 to 13 were asked to identify an object of importance to them that made them stand out from the crowd. Patterson then engaged the students in a personal interview about these objects, asking them a variety of questions that point to how these special objects contribute to their difference amongst their peers and make them visible in a wider society that sees them invisible based on age, color or creed.  

The objects were loaned to the artist and Arts Incubator for the duration of the project and exhibited in the front gallery. Illuminated Presence is an opportunity to make these children visible and to have a meaningful dialog that allows their voices to be heard and for them to be seen and understood for this moment in time.

artsandpubliclife