The Jackson Junge Gallery is a remarkable contribution to the flourishing arts community of Wicker Park / Bucktown in Chicago. Co-owned by the talented Chicago artist Laura Lee Junge and her husband / partner Chris Jackson, this gallery serves as an exclusive local venue for Junge’s captivating paintings and other exquisite works of art.
Before the gallery’s opening in the fall of 2009, Junge’s artwork was only available for limited viewing at her studio, seasonal art fairs, and through distributors outside of Chicago. Since then, the gallery has introduced Chicagoans to a dynamic hometown talent who has gained significant international recognition from art lovers and critics alike. While the spotlight shines on Junge, the gallery also showcases a diverse selection of works by other contemporary artists from Chicago and beyond.
Throughout the year, guest artist exhibits are hosted, adding to the variety of art on display. Located on a bustling section of Milwaukee Ave. just north of Division St. and south of North Ave., the Jackson Junge Gallery draws a diverse clientele. From the avid art collector to the casual admirer, visitors delight in the comfortable ambiance and welcoming atmosphere found within its walls.
In an effort to make art accessible to a wider audience, the gallery offers exceptional quality giclee reproductions and prints for purchase, alongside original pieces. The use of sophisticated technology ensures the production of superior quality prints. Furthermore, all Junge giclees are created in-house at the Jackson Junge Gallery and are subject to the artist’s personal inspection.
The Jackson Junge Gallery also provides a comprehensive range of custom framing services on-site. With the guidance of skilled craftsman and gallery co-owner Chris Jackson, customers can find the perfect mount, protection, and frame for their art, photography, and other treasured possessions. At the Jackson Junge Gallery, our mission is to create a dynamic cultural hub that celebrates the diversity of artistic expression.
We believe that art is an essential part of the human experience, and we are committed to bringing the joy and inspiration of the arts to everyone who visits our gallery. Our goal is to provide an all-encompassing experience for our visitors, by combining all the services typically associated with an art gallery in an innovative and immersive way. From showcasing a wide range of contemporary art in various mediums to providing custom framing services, we strive to create a welcoming and engaging environment where visitors can connect with art on a personal level.
We are passionate about promoting emerging and established artists, and we take pride in featuring work that pushes the boundaries of traditional art forms. We believe that the arts are an essential part of any community, and we are committed to building lasting relationships with our collectors and artists to promote the growth and development of the arts community in Wicker Park / Bucktown and beyond.
At the Jackson Junge Gallery, accessibility is a core value. We believe that everyone should have the opportunity to experience the transformative power of art, regardless of their budget. That’s why we offer a wide range of price points and exceptional Giclee reproductions and prints in addition to original pieces. We see ourselves as a partner in the arts community, working collaboratively with artists to showcase their work and connect them with art enthusiasts and collectors who appreciate their unique vision. When visitors step into the Jackson Junge Gallery, we hope they feel inspired, engaged, and transported by the magic of the arts.
Image: Gallery view
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The title DANGEROUSLY WHIMSICAL is inspired by the elements of both light and dark found in Harrold’s work. “I want to create a balance between what's dark and scary and what's exciting and joyful. The viewer will notice that when there is a scary or dark element to an image, the subject of the piece is never afraid,” she says. This can be seen in her piece “Wild Child”, where a young girl is unbothered by the dark forest and wild animals that surround her. They join her as she lets out a fearsome howl and embraces the great unknown. This spirit of adventure and fearlessness can be seen often in Harrold’s work.
The characters are the most important and inspirational element in Harrold’s collages. They manifest their own futures and realities, transporting you into a world seen through their eyes. In “Sweet Dreams” we experience the perspective of a woman who creates her own silver lining as she directs her house through a clouded sky toward the rising sun. She is accompanied by her animal companions, an orange cat and a flock of pigeons. We can only imagine what led her to this moment, but there is a feeling of hope and freedom to the piece.
Harrold’s newest collage, “Floaties,” reveals one of her greatest artistic inspirations- the endless imagination of children. The piece features a group of children facing great heights without a hint of fear as they play on a waterslide suspended in the sky. “Floaties” shows that the sky is quite literally the limit in the mind of a child, a perspective Harrold hopes her work will remind viewers to carry into their adult lives. “In some images I want viewers to feel nostalgic for their childhood and the freedom their hearts had before the seriousness of time and age took hold,” she says.
Harrold’s body of work today is a result of her education and background in traditional studio art and photography. After spending some time in professional digital editing and photo retouching, she utilized the Photoshop skills she had learned and began exploring the medium of digital collage. Now, when taking photographs, she does so with the intention of using specific elements as building blocks into a new world. “I love working with photography because, by tradition, it is meant to document reality. I, instead, create my own,” she says. The reality Harrold creates is one filled with floating buildings, friendly beasts, and fantastical adventures – meant to reflect the uncertainty of the real world. A world that she believes we all have the power to challenge: “We are all strong enough to live beyond our circumstances and achieve more than we are expected to. At the same time, we are a part of our environment and this universe. We need to live with it and protect it. Hopefully my work has the power to inspire all these things in some way or another.”
DANGEROUSLY WHIMSICAL is a challenge to all of us to connect with our inner child and face the world with an open and curious mind. By depicting people in impossible situations, Harrold hopes to convey that we have the strength and ability to achieve more than we may realize. She challenges us to face the unknown as fiercely as a child confronts a sea serpent while sailing the high seas in his pajamas.
Join us Friday, January 17th 6pm - 9pm for an opening reception, which is sponsored by Shake Shack. Food and refreshments will be provided and is free to the public.
The exhibition will be on view January 14th through February 23rd, 2025.DANGEROUSLY WHIMSICAL is curated by Gallery Director Kaitlyn Miller and Gallery Assistant Maddie Kirmse.
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