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Carolyn Plochmann, “Here and There a Bird,” 2002, acrylic on canvas, Illinois State Museum Collection, gift of Carolyn Plochmann.

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CAROLYN PLOCHMANN WORKS AT ILLINOIS MUSEUM FEB. 11 w/1 cut

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CHICAGO, ILL. — On view February 11–April 4, the Illinois State Museum Chicago Gallery presents 70 paintings and drawings by distinguished artist Carolyn Gassan Plochmann. Most of the work was created in Plochmann’s Carbondale studio in southern Illinois, her home for more than 57 years.

Debra K. Tayes, exhibition curator, describes Plochmann’s works as iconic “moments frozen in time” that through their “enigmatic language of objects, figures, and linguistic symbols, coupled with the striking aged quality of the beautifully rendered surfaces lure us into a meditative experience…The strong use of gold, yellow and ochre elicits a provocative and ancient wisdom.”

Plochmann’s work has been exhibited and collected throughout the country, primarily in New York and usually outside Illinois. In 2003, the Illinois State Museum exhibited 30 Plochmann paintings. This exhibit of 70 paintings and drawings include works from the 1940s, including “Girl with Fruit,” 1942, which won a first place award at the Toledo Museum of Art that brought her to national recognition at the age of 15, to those of 2006. The exhibit represents a generous gift given by Carolyn Gassan Plochmann to the Illinois State Museum, the largest gift from any artist in the museum’s 138-year history.

Illinois State Museum Director Dr Bonnie Styles said, “We are extremely honored that Carolyn Plochmann selected the Illinois State Museum for this gift, and we express the heartfelt gratitude of both this museum and the people of Illinois to her.”

At noon on March 18, there will be a free curator’s gallery talk in the second floor gallery in conjunction with Women’s History Month.

The gallery is at 100 West Randolph in the James R. Thompson Center on the second floor. For more information, 312-814-5322.