A New Art Exhibition Explores "Seven Skins" and Rebirth at Midlife

Regin Igloria Seven SkinsRegin Igloria, You Got Me Burning Up, 2023, Digital Photo Collage, 6.5” x 8.5”
Columbia College Chicago’s Glass Curtain Gallery is pleased to present Seven Skins, a solo exhibition of work by Regin Igloria. Come celebrate the opening on Thursday, March 7, from 5 p.m. to 7 p.m., the artist will be present.

The title Seven Skins is derived from the theory that all the cells in a human body get replaced over seven years. Some take this to mean an individual becomes a new person every seven years. Igloria employs this framework in his exhibition, having gone through seven skins at forty- nine years of age. This show serves as a mid-life re-evaluation, reflecting on past interests, identities, and fascinations while determining the emergence of themes and preoccupations that remain prevalent in his work. Through the lens of dry absurdity, Igloria explores diverse topics such as survival, competition, and the Western iconography of the outdoorsman.

Seven has become a fitting categorical number to Igloria, the last of five children and the seventh member of his family. The cornerstone of the exhibition is seven wall-hanging pieces, each with accompanying artist books. While the wall works are scaled thoughtfully, no larger than his human body, the book counterparts, set in the midst of the lager wall works allow for a more intimate reading. In tandem these twin works create a literal figure-ground relationship for the viewer.

 Archive building is integral to many of the works on exhibit. Ephemera and the detritus of everyday life make their way into collage, displaying athletic equipment and garments, such as runner bibs, indicative of competition. The treatment of such source material often becomes unrecognizable during the process. This type of assemblage style making correlates with Igloria’s interactive book pedestals. The latest iteration includes mobile bookbinding stations that travel to different institutions to offer free community binding sessions. During the course of Seven Skins, Igloria will offer two bookbinding workshops on Thursday, March 21, 6 - 7:30 p.m. and Thursday, April 4, 6 - 7:30 p.m.

About the Artist: Regin Igloria

Regin Igloria was Born 1974 in Manila, Philippines and currently lives and works in and around Chicago. He is a multidisciplinary artist and educator. His drawings, artists’ books, sculptures, and performances portray the human condition as it relates to the natural environment and inhabited spaces. He founded North Branch Projects, an organization that builds connections through book arts. He works with various communities to create crossover between disparate populations and cultures, aiming to broaden the roles of both artists and non-artists. Igloria has taught at places such as Marwen, RISD, The School of the Art Institute of Chicago, Snow City Arts, and Carthage College. He received a 3Arts Individual Artist Award as well as local, national, and international grants, support through artist residencies, and has exhibited internationally. He received his MFA from Rhode Island School of Design.

This project is partially supported by a grant from the Illinois Arts Council Agency.

  • Regin Igloria: "Seven Skins" 03/07-04/26

    Glass Curtain Gallery—Columbia College Chicago 1104 S Wabash Ave, 1st Floor, Chicago, IL 60605

    Gallery Hours: Monday–Wednesday, Friday–Saturday 9 a.m.–5 p.m.; Thursday 9 a.m.–7 p.m.

    PROGRAMMING:

    Thursday, March 21, 6 - 7:30 p.m.

    Bookbinding workshop

    Thursday, April 4, 6 - 7:30 p.m.

    Bookbinding workshop

    Friday, April 12, 5–7 p.m.

    Reception and Catalog Release Party

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