Two new thought-provoking exhibitions will be showcased at the DePaul Art Museum, challenging conventional norms and delving into the depths of memory, intimacy, and the transient nature of existence. The exhibitions, titled "In Memory Of" by Selva Aparicio and "The Image Pool," will explore themes of domestic violence and showcase the works of self-taught and outsider artists.

According to Laura-Caroline de Lara, the director of DePaul Art Museum, these exhibitions aim to bring forward artists and conversations that are often overlooked or marginalized. She states, "Our goal is to reframe how we experience our relationships with one another — how does what I do or experience affect you and vice versa? This is how empathy is formed and how space is made for other people."

"In Memory Of" is Selva Aparicio's debut solo exhibition, focusing on the theme of domestic violence. Aparicio, a Chicago-based artist, will transform each gallery into a domestic setting through site-specific installations and sculptures utilizing natural materials. Ionit Behar, the curator of the exhibition, explains, "By exploring the blurred boundaries of public and private in the context of domestic violence, the exhibition provides a poignant perspective by inviting our audiences to reflect on the complexities of domestic life through the eyes of children and women."

Aparicio's upbringing in Catalonia, Spain, greatly influenced her artistic journey. She states, "I am interested in working in that space of death and decomposition. Extend that moment, and work with those materials that contain memories, to reflect on them and what they contain. The bottom line is to find that moment between what they want and what I want. It is a kind of collaboration because they are living materials."

Accompanying the exhibition are several events, including a talk with acclaimed author Christina Rivera Garza, a poetry workshop in partnership with the Poetry Foundation, and a series of performances based on Aparicio's artworks, collaboratively presented by DePaul's School of Music, The Theatre School, and DePaul Art Museum.

"The Image Pool" exhibition focuses on six unconventional artists who defy traditional art historical categorization. The curator, David Maruzzella, emphasizes that these artists exemplify the democratic tendency of contemporary art. He explains, "Everybody, in principle, is an artist, all materials are available, and aesthetic inspiration can be taken from anywhere and everywhere."

The six artists featured in "The Image Pool" are Eugene Von Bruenchenhein, Mr. Imagination, Marva Lee Pitchford-Jolly, June Wayne, Derek Webster, and Joseph Yoakum. Their works draw inspiration from personal and imagined histories while challenging institutional norms. The exhibition showcases the resilience and innovation of these artists in the face of traditional artistic labels.

The DePaul Art Museum, located at 935 W. Fullerton Ave., will host both exhibitions from March 14 to August 4. Admission to the museum is free, allowing visitors to explore and engage with these thought-provoking artworks. For more information, visit the DePaul Newsroom website or contact the museum directly.

These exhibitions at the DePaul Art Museum offer a unique opportunity to delve into the complexities of memory, domestic life, and the expansive nature of contemporary art. Through the works of Selva Aparicio and the unconventional artists featured in "The Image Pool," visitors will be challenged to reflect on their own experiences and perceptions, ultimately fostering a deeper understanding of empathy and human connection.