Michelle Grabner 'New Paintings and Sculpture' at Green Gallery

I recognized certain tendencies in my Wisconsin students from the first class I taught here in 2010. They were polite, hard-working, earnest and sought objective answers to open-ended truths that neither I nor art history could possibly deliver. After more than a decade, I’ve come to associate this with a certain Midwestern if-it-quacks-like-a-duck pragmatism that has shed light on broader issues around knowledge and art’s role in connecting to it. Faced with this ongoing conundrum, I’ve had to address the issue head-on by avoiding the trap of certainty and the abyss of relativism, attempting to wrap my arms around it and dismantle it in one sweeping gesture.

Artist Michelle Grabner’s work has been an important tool in attempting this impossible maneuver. I invoke her practice in my Contemporary Art course regularly. Grabner, a Wisconsin native, makes art, indeed lives her life, as a metaphor for the age-old aporia that is the very nature of locating permanent meaning in a world of language and human culture. It’s a search that goes back to Socrates in the “The Republic,” and probably long before that. Grabner’s current exhibition “New Paintings and Sculpture” at Green Gallery through Jan. 13, 2024 continues to inventively yank at that Gordian knot of foundational symbolic thought. She does this, as she always has, by exploring contradictions, oppositions and all the visual poetry that flickering irresolution can generate.

The most unique of these new explorations comes in the form of embellished chunks of masonry appropriated from a derelict coach house at the Pabst Mansion. The pieces of Gilded-Age architecture on the floor of the Green Gallery would possess a Duchampian pop without any reworking, however, Grabner raises the stakes in post-production. She has sealed and covered each of the sculptures in silver leaf, in effect re-gilding them, literally and figuratively, so that they stay suspended indefinitely between their utilitarian origins and their paradisical conceptual possibilities. With all their deteriorated ornamentation and half-remembered craftmanship, the chunky artifacts resound as affective and effective time capsules, especially against the angular starkness of the Green Gallery’s site. They strike me as a something totally Midwestern in character. Where coastal conceptualists like Robert Barry or Michael Asher would have tried to hide the body, Grabner indulges in the flesh and blood of earthly stuff, as well as the human stuff of craft, labor, time, and even a little unexpected beauty.

Yearning for 3D

The same conceptual range has always been at the heart of Grabner’s paintings, a number of which are in the exhibition at Green. Those familiar with her two-dimensional work—which still yearn toward the 3rd dimension—will likely recall her “Tondo” paintings of radiating graphite marks on circular panels and her gingham-patterned impasto works. This new set of oil paintings also sources domestic textiles and applications to similar conceptual ends; however, the ones in the show are unusually delicate with pastel driven palettes and skewed geometries. Despite their allure as painted surfaces, they are conceptual propositions at their heart, aiming to complicate the boundaries of image and object, part and whole, organic and geometric. And states of permanence in general; a forest-or-trees problem in paint. Interspersed with these elegant paintings are a series of stunning relief sculpture/painting hybrids made from castings of the very lacey, floral-patterned fabrics that formed their compositions. Finally, punctuating it all is a series of silver-gilded pull-tab food cans, positioned horizontally at 60-on-center, that completely scramble high/low, domestic /conceptual, found/made distinctions, looking oddly monumental in the process.

I’ve told my students that one isn’t going to find transcendent meaning in a piece of art. And neither are they going to find it in a temple. Because “It” is deceptively unsingular. The Answers I tell them, if they come at all, will be a mix of internal faiths consecrated by external Eurekas. Ephemeral and hybrid. “Matches struck unexpectedly in the dark” as Virginia Woolf put it. It’s a paradox that has electrified everyone from Lao Tsu to Saint Augustine to Duchamp. And Michelle Grabner, too. Somewhere between reason and revelation, mind and body, relative and absolute, Michelle Grabner’s work provides the best worst answers to my students’ never-ending pursuit of objective knowledge. Fine show, Ms. Grabner, and thanks for the ongoing assistance.

Event Listings

January 14– January 20, 2024

January 18-28 is Milwaukee Museum Days

Information about the event can be found at:

https://www.visitmilwaukee.org/museum-days/

Milwaukee Art Museum

Drop-In Tours: Architecture and Collection Highlights

Sunday, January 14, 2–3 p.m.

Jewish Museum Milwaukee

Banned Book Club: The Kite Runner

Tuesday, January 16, 7–8 p.m.

Museum of Wisconsin Art (MOWA)

SPARK Program: Connect the Dots: Walk-through with Lon Michels

Wednesday, January 17, 10–11:30 a.m.

The Jewish Museum Milwaukee

Virtual GMP – THE HUNGER MUSEUM

Thursday, January 18, 12–1:15 pm.

Haggerty Museum of Art

Opening Reception: “Dynamic Range: Photographs by Bill Tennessen”

Thursday, January 18, 5–7 p.m.

MIAD, Brooks Stevens Gallery

Opening Recpetion: “Growing Resinstance: Untold Stories of Milwaukee’s Community Guardians”

Thursday, January 18, 6–8 p.m.

MARN ART+CULTURE HUB

“Junk in the Trunk” Social Mixer

Thursday, January 18, 2–3 pm.

Friday, January 19/Saturday, January 20 (Gallery Night MKE Events)

More information on venues at:

https://gallerynightmke.com/

Aquae Nguvu Gallery and Studio

“Wisdom in Tradition”

Friday, January 19, 4–9 p.m.

Beingnau Gallery

“Cheers to 20”

Friday, January 19, 5–10 p.m.  

Gallery 218

“New Year, New Art, New Artists”

Friday, January 19, 5–10 p.m.  

Holly Harris Studios

Open Studio

Friday, January 19, 5–9 p.m.

Integration Healing | Alivo Healing

“The Pain-t Away”

Friday, January 19, 5–8 p.m.

Julius Brown

Open Studio

Friday, January 19, 5–9 p.m.

Kim Storage Gallery

“The Beginning is Always Today”

Friday, January 19, 5–9 p.m.

Lily Pad West

“Winter Reflections”

Friday, January 19, 5–9 p.m.

MARN ART+CULTURE HUB

“Behind the Queen”

Friday, January 19, 5–8 p.m.

Alice Wilds

Closing Reception: “Untitled (Group of Ten)”

Friday, January 19, 5–7 p.m.

Material Studios and Gallery

Material Studio Artists

Friday, January 19, 5–9 p.m.

Kim Klisch Art Gallery

Atelier Art Sale

Friday, January 19, 12–9 p.m.

Milwaukee Institute of Art and Design (MIAD)

“Growing Resistance: Untold Stories of Milwaukee’s Community Guardians”

Friday, January 19, 5–9 p.m.

Oil, A City Gallery

“Lights in the Darkness”

Friday, January 19, 5–9 p.m.

Pamela Anderson Studio + Gallery

“Colorverse”

Friday, January 19, 5–9 p.m.

Portrait Society Gallery

Opening Reception: Nirmal Raja, “Grace and Grit”

Friday, January 19, 5–8 p.m.

Skylight Music Theater

Behind the Curtain at the Skylight

Friday, January 19, 5 p.m.–8 p.m.

The District Row

Donald Topp Art

Friday, January 19, 5–8 p.m.

The Explorium Brewpub, Third Ward

Local Art, Craft Cocktails, Live Music

Friday, January 19, 5–10 p.m.

Tory Foliard Gallery

Joseph Nechvetal: “Thoughts and Reflections”

Friday, January 19, 5–8 p.m.

Vino, Third Ward

“Female Figures”

Friday, January 19, 5–9 p.m.

Wicked Alley

“Wicked Wonderland”

Friday, January 19, 5–9 p.m.

David Barnett Gallery

Reception: “Abstract Visions”

Friday, January 19, 5–9 p.m.

Arts @ Large

Paula Lovo, Winter Artist-in-Residence

Friday, January 19, 5–9 p.m.

Cival Collective

“We Gave Year” by Rachel M. Gonzalez

Friday, January 19, 5–9 p.m.

Grove Gallery

David Jones: “Shadow Place”

Friday, January 19, 5–9 p.m.

Hawthorn Contemporary

“Scissors is Our Love Language”

Friday, January 19, 12–8 p.m.

United Hands Across the City

“Cultural Art of Expression”

Friday, January 19, 5-p.m.

VAR Gallery (Second Street)

“VAR Studios Collective Exhibition”

Friday, January 19, 12–8 p.m.

VAR Gallery (5th Street)

John Alleyn: “Super Natural”

Friday, January 19, 12–8 p.m.

Charles Allis Museum

Michael Lagerman, “Not Pictured”

Friday, January 19, 12–8 p.m.

James May Gallery

“Passionate Realities”

Friday, January 19, 11 a.m.–8 p.m.

St. Johns on the Lake

Katherine Steichen Rosing, “Resilience”

Friday, January 19, 5 p.m.–9 p.m.

Saint Kate, the Arts Hotel

“Luminous Love Junk,” by Claire Ashley

Friday, January 19, 5–8 p.m.

Saint Kate, the Arts Hotel

“Ripped and Woven,” by Galen Cheney

Friday, January 19, 5–8 p.m.

Saint Kate, the Arts Hotel

“In the Roaring Garden” by William Lamson

Friday, January 19, 5– p.m.

Saint Kate, the Arts Hotel

“Parlour Trix,” by Julie Schenkelberg

Friday, January 19, 5–8 p.m.

The Pfister Hotel

“A Celebration of History and Art”

Friday, January 19, 5–9 p.m.

The Village Church

Members and Friends Night

Friday, January 19, 5–9 p.m.

Villa Terrace Art Museum

“Supernova” by Hope Wang and Keith Kaziak

Friday, January 19, 10 a.m.–8 p.m.

NŌStudios

“Gallery Night at NŌ Studios”

Friday, January 19, 6–10 p.m.

Parkway Floral

“Flora and Fauna” by Sherry Magnuson

Friday, January 19, 5–8 p.m.

Rosenquist Fine Art

“Wine About Winter” Group Show

Friday, January 19, 6–9 p.m.

War Memorial Center

“Gallery Night at the War Memorial Center”

Friday, January 19, 5–9 p.m.

MIAD Gallery at the AVE

“Punks, Geeks, and Lovers: A MIAD Zine Exhibition”

Friday, January 19, 5–9 p.m.

Alice Wilds

Closing Reception: “Untitled (Group of Ten)”

Friday, January 19, 5–7 p.m.

Real Tinsel

Opening Reception: Heimo Wallner, “Not Again”

Friday, January 19 6–8 p.m.

Real Tinsel (Grotto)

Opening Reception: Makeal Flammini “You Can’t Keep Every Beautiful Thing”

Friday, January 19 6–8 p.m.

Real Tinsel

Performance: Collaborative performance by Makeal Flammini, John Mueller, and Heimo Wallner

Friday, January 19, 7 p.m.

Grohmann Museum of Art

Artist Talk in conjunction with opening reception: “Patterns of Meaning: The Art of Industry by Cory Bonnet”

Friday, January 19, 6:30–7:30 p.m.

Milwaukee Art Museum

Drop-In Art Making: Kohl’s Art Studio

Saturday, January 20, 10 a.m.–4 p.m.

Milwaukee Art Museum

Story Time in the Galleries

Saturday, January 20, 10:30–11 a.m.

Charles Allis Museum

Discover the Allis: Guided Tour

Saturday, January 20, 11 a.m.–12 p.m.

Milwaukee Art Museum

Drop-In Tours: Architecture and Collection Highlights

Saturday, January 20, 2–3 p.m.

Aquae Nguvu Gallery and Studio

“Wisdom in Tradition”

Saturday, January 20, 12–5 p.m.

Gallery 218

“New Year, New Art, New Artists”

Saturday, January 20, 12–5 p.m.

Holly Harris Studios

Open Studio

Saturday, January 20, 12–3 p.m.

Integration Healing | Alivo Healing

“The Pain-t Away”

Saturday, January 20, 11 a.m.–2 p.m.

Julius Brown

Open Studio

Saturday, January 20, 1–4 p.m.

Kim Storage Gallery

“The Beginning is Always Today”

Saturday, January 20, 10 a.m.–5 p.m.

Lily Pad West

“Winter Reflections”

Saturday, January 20, 11 a.m.–6 p.m.

MARN ART+CULTURE HUB

“Behind the Queen”

Saturday, January 20, 8 p.m.

Material Studios and Gallery

Material Studio Artists

Saturday, January 20, 11 a.m.–4 p.m.

May Klisch Art Gallery

Atelier Art Sale

Saturday, January 20, 11 a.m.–4 p.m.

Milwaukee Institute of Art and Design (MIAD)

“Growing Resistance: Untold Stories of Milwaukee’s Community Guardians”

Saturday, January 20, 10 a.m.–5 p.m.

Oil, A City Gallery

“Lights in the Darkness”

Saturday, January 20, 11 a.m.–4 p.m.

Pamela Anderson Studio + Gallery

“Colorverse”

Saturday, January 20, 11 a.m.–4 p.m.

Portrait Society Gallery

Opening Reception: Nirmal Raja, “Grace and Grit”

Saturday, January 20, 11 a.m.–5 p.m.

The Explorium Brewpub, 3^rd Ward

Local Art, Craft Cocktails, Live Music

Saturday, January 20, 11 a.m.–4 p.m.

Tory Foliard Gallery

Joseph Nechvetal: “Thoughts and Reflections”

Saturday, January 20, 11 a.m.–4 p.m.

Vino, Third Ward

“Female Figures

Saturday, January 19, 12–4 p.m.

Wicked Alley

“Wicked Wonderland”

Saturday, January 20, 11 a.m.–6 p.m.

David Barnett Gallery

Reception: “Abstract Visions”

Saturday, January 20, 11 a.m.–5 p.m.

Cival Collective

“We Gave Year” by Rachel M. Gonzalez

Saturday, January 20, 11 a.m.–6 p.m.

Grove Gallery

David Jones: “Shadow Place”

Saturday, January 20, 12–5 p.m.

Hawthorn Contemporary

“Scissors is Our Love Language”

Saturday, January 20, 12–8 p.m.

Alice Wilds

“Untitled (Show of Ten)”

Saturday, January 20, 11 a.m.–5 p.m.

United Hands Across the City

“Cultural Art of Expression”

Saturday, January 20, 5–9 p.m.

VAR Gallery (Second Street)

“VAR Studios Collective Exhibition”

Saturday, January 20, 12 p.m.–8 p.m.

VAR Gallery (5th Street)

John Alleyn: “Super Natural”

Saturday, January 20, 12–8 p.m.

Charles Allis Museum

Michael Lagerman, “Not Pictured”

Saturday, January 20, 10 a.m.–2 p.m.

James May Gallery

“Passionate Realities”

Saturday, January 20, 10:30 a.m.–5:30 p.m.

St. Johns on the Lake

Katherine Steichen Rosing, “Resilience”

Saturday, January 20, 9 a.m.–5 p.m.

Villa Terrace Art Museum

“Supernova” by Hope Wang and Keith Kaziak

Saturday, January 20, 10 a.m.–5 p.m.

Rosenquist Fine Art

“Wine About Winter” Group Show

Saturday, January 20, 11 a.m.–3 p.m.

David Barnett Gallery

Reception: “Abstract Visions”

Saturday, January 20, 12–5 p.m.

Saint Kate, the Arts Hotel

AIR Time, Art & Studio Tour with AIR Anwar Floyd-Pruitt

Saturday, January 20, 6:30 p.m.

Event Listings

January 7– January 13, 2024

Milwaukee Art Museum

Drop-In Art Making: Kohl’s Art Studio

Sunday, January 7, 10 a.m.–4 p.m.

Milwaukee Art Museum

Drop-In Tours: Architecture and Collection Highlights

Sunday, January 7, 2–3 p.m.

MARN ART+CULTURE HUB

Member Mondays

Monday, January 8, 3–5 p.m.

Mitchell Street Arts (MiSA)

Figure Drawing Event

Monday, January 8, 6–8 p.m.

Mitchell Street Arts (MiSA)

Community Mending Night

Wednesday, January 10, 6–8 p.m.

Milwaukee Art Museum

Gallery Talk: “50 Paintings”

Thursday, January 11, 12–1 p.m.

MARN ART+CULTURE HUB

MARN Exchange with Graeme Reid

Thursday, January 11, 5:30–7:30 p.m.

Milwaukee Art Museum

Play Date with Art: Birds of a Feather

Friday, January 12, 10 a.m.–12 p.m.

MARN ART+CULTURE HUB

Reception: Yosh Yorner  FW24 // SLUSH

Friday, January 12, 5–8 p.m.

James May Gallery

Asana and Art

Saturday, January 13, 9–10 a.m.

Museum of Wisconsin Art (MOWA)

Second Saturdays

Saturday, January 13, 10 a.m.–2 p.m.

Milwaukee Art Museum

Drop-In Art Making: Kohl’s Art Studio

Saturday, January 13, 10 a.m.–4 p.m.

Milwaukee Art Museum

Story Time in the Galleries

Saturday, January 13, 10:30–11 a.m.

Milwaukee Art Museum

Gallery Talk: “Darrel Ellis: Regeneration”

Saturday, January 13, 1–2 p.m.

Milwaukee Art Museum

Drop-In Tours: Architecture and Collection Highlights

Saturday, January 13, 2–3 p.m.

Mahogany Gallery, Racine

MLK Art & Essay Contest Art Show

Saturday, January 13, 2–3 p.m.

OS Projects

Christine Forni and Jennifer Mannenbach Artist Talk

Saturday, January 13, 2 p.m.–3 p.m.

Saint Kate, the Arts Hotel

AIR Time, Art & Studio Tour with AIR Anwar Floyd-Pruitt

Saturday, January 13, 6:30 p.m.

Event Listings: December 31 – January 6, 2024

Milwaukee Art Museum

• Drop-In Art Making: Kohl’s Art Studio
• Sunday, December 31, 10 a.m.–4 p.m.

Milwaukee Art Museum

• Drop-In Architecture and Collection Highlights
• Sunday, December 31, 2–3 p.m.

Charles Allis Museum

• Free First Wednesdays
• Wednesday, January 3, 1–5 p.m.

Milwaukee Art Museum

• Drop-In Art Making: Kohl’s Art Studio
• Saturday, January 6, 10 a.m.–4 p.m.

Milwaukee Art Museum

• Story Time in the Galleries
• Saturday, January 6, 10:30–11 a.m.