Writing in the Galleries: The Pictorial and Proverbial

Images can evoke powerful sensations, memories, and stories. Writing about the paintings of Peter Breughel and the photographs of Diane Arbus in his book Silent Dialogues, the art historian Alexander Nemerov said both artists created images of “allegorical figures whose significance we have lost.”

Jill Mulleady’s paintings draw on this art historical lineage of charged, ambiguous, and uneasy narratives. They include characters and environments that seem familiar while resisting tidy conclusions.

Bring a pencil and a notebook and take a deep dive into Jill Mulleady: The Passenger with open-ended writing prompts inspired by the artist's enigmatic work.

about the facilitator

Kristen French is assistant director of Gallery Activation at the Art Institute of Chicago. She creates in-gallery programs that connect audiences to artworks and to their own capacity for critical reflection. She received two BAs from DePaul University: one in the history of art and architecture and one in public policy studies. Kristen is currently pursuing an MA in modern and contemporary art history, theory, and criticism at the School of the Art Institute of Chicago.

what to expect

Writing in the Galleries is a program series that invites visitors to write in response to the art they see. Participants are encouraged to bring their favorite notebook and pencil. Writing materials will be available for those who need them, and folding stools will be provided.

This program will take place inside the Jill Mulleady: The Passenger exhibition, which is on the second floor of Griffin Court near the Modern Cafe. The exhibition is closest to the Modern Wing public entrance and is accessible by elevator. ASL interpretation is available upon request at access@artic.edu. Requests must be made at least two weeks in advance.

To learn more about access options visit https://www.artic.edu/visit/accessibility.