neotericart

Ann and Maria Ponce : On TV / Off TV
Packer-Schopf Gallery
Chicago
November 20 – December 23, 2009

The glow of celebrity illuminated the Packer-Schopf Gallery recently with the opening of, “On TV / Off TV”, a joint exhibition combining the elegant portrait paintings of Ann Ponce and the crisp portrait photography of daughter Maria. It was a who’s who of the Chicago TV news media, of reporters, of anchors and journalists and those familiar with them. From the gallery walls, glancing from the canvas, are Chicago TV personalities, out of their normal dress, are captured in colorful oils, and the black and whites, and grays and shadow of photographs. It’s a unique session.

Identifying the transfigured subjects comes quickly, as do the thematic intentions of the artists. They are prominent men and women, friends and acquaintances, including a father and husband, Phil Ponce, of public television, whose cameo photo appearance in the exhibition, finds him squinting and humorously feigning intense contemplation.

There are portraits of WGN’s Bob Jordan and CBS’ Jay Levine posing cooler, hipper than usual. Linda Yu of WLS is brilliant in both mediums, captured by both artists, as a purple gowned, orange winged, on a red background, “Madame Butterfly”, oil on linen’ on one wall and snapped in a headshot with jeweled butterflies at her lips on another. “It was very fun,” Yu said, “Ann Ponce and Maria Ponce are very talented.”

There’s an aesthetic allure to this show. With poise and grace dominating one wall of the exhibition, and modernity of two portrait images in one photo holds court on the other, the viewer is tossed about in interpreting the two. There are complications at points. “I like the way oil handles. Each pigment has it’s own personality”, Ann shares, “They all have a different character.” Her work has been influenced by that of painter John Singer Sargent, who also relied on tones and placement of paints in his full length portraits. Nostalgia peeps through her renditions of the classics.

Maria, on the other hand, credits the avant-garde, inventive fashion photographer, Victor Skrebneski with having an impact on her direction. Skrebneski is best known for his images of Diana Ross, Hepburn, and Truffaut. In addition, the younger Ponce worked in the studio of post-modern photographer Michael Voltattorui.

The concept for the show stems from an exhibition Maria viewed at Paris’ Musee du Petit Palais. There, works of Patrick Demarchelier (of Vogue, Sex and the City and Princess Diana fame), shared space with Manet, Renoir, Gauguin and others. Upon returning to Chicago, she pitched the concept to Ann and ultimately Aron Packer who stepped up to the concept.

The show provides some archetype images for the viewer. “Channeling Gary Grant”, oil on linen, finds Warner Saunders in black tie and tux, posed to step out. WGN’s Jackie Bange, is captured in a sequined evening dress before a magenta background and large, orange numeral 9, “Madame2009”, oil on linen. “I had the classic catch-my-breath reaction when I saw the portrait. Is that ME?!?!”, Bange shared. “She made me feel elegant and beautiful. I’m honored. Their invitation was a first for me. I didn’t know what to expect.”

The exhibition was not without a bit of controversy with a popular local blogger weighing in against the, “white T-shirts and comisoles, showing off biceps and bra straps and bare shoulders, sporting sexy smiles and come-hither gazes,” shot by Maria. It was in fact, Skrebenski who had, some time back, photographed another local media star for Chicago magazine, drawing a considerable amount of attention at the time.

Yet the show was hardly saucy, and even to the critical eye it can be celebrated for its unique concept. This exhibition does not call for such a debate. It’s a ‘fun’ show, and prompts more of a look at the artists being emulated, and a look to where the emulators are going from here.

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