BEXHILL-ON-SEA.- In the mid-1960s, Chicago saw an explosion of artistic activity centred around a small group of artists who would later become known as the Chicago Imagists. Their distinct and lively visual style would go on to influence some of the most important artists of the 20th century.

Having mostly studied in proximity to one another at the School of the Art Institute of Chicago, they shared an enthusiasm for Surrealism and Art Brut, comic books, non-Western and ‘self-taught’ artists, commercial advertising and the music, markets, sideshows and architecture of the city they lived in. They learned from teachers at the School of the Art Institute, and in turn their teachers learned from them. The strong bonds developed at art school has kept this group of artists affiliated under the moniker ‘Chicago Imagism’, despite the diversity of their work. This exhibition will focus on their work from the 1960s when they first met, through to the late 1970s, when many of them moved away, stylistically and geographically.

Co-curated by Rosie Cooper (De La Warr Pavilion) and Sarah McCrory (Goldsmiths CCA) the exhibition features painting, objects, drawings, prints and ephemera highlighting their individual styles as well as their shared references and moments of connection. How Chicago! was on display at Goldsmiths CCA from 16 March – 26 May 2019.

How Chicago! is organised by Hayward Gallery Touring in collaboration with De La Warr Pavilion and Goldsmiths Centre for Contemporary Art. It is supported by the Terra Foundation for American Art as part of Art Design Chicago, an initiative exploring Chicago’s art and design legacy.

How Chicago! Imagists 1960s & 70s features works by Roger Brown, Sarah Canright, Jim Falconer, Ed Flood, Art Green, Phil Hanson, Gladys Nilsson, Jim Nutt, Ed Paschke, Christina Ramberg, Suellen Rocca, Barbara Rossi, Karl Wirsum and Ray Yoshida.

A fully illustrated catalogue has been published by Hayward Gallery Publishing, including essays by the curators and Lynne Warren, Curator at Museum of Contemporary Art Chicago, and texts on each of the artists. Purchase a catalogue for a special exhibition price of £16.50 in the DLWP shop.