CHICAGO, IL.- New Chicago Comics presents the work of four emerging, Chicago-based cartoonists and animators: Jeffrey Brown, Lilli Carré, Paul Hornschemeier, and Anders Nilsen at the Museum of Contemporary Art (MCA), Chicago, on view from January 8 to 30, 2011. Each of these artists has a unique style that expands and challenges the conventions of the comic book -- a visual art form for which Chicago continues to be renowned.

Jeffrey Brown established himself with his first publication, Clumsy (2002) an autobiographical work that examines modern relationships with discomforting detail and intimacy. His comics are drawn in a deliberately awkward style that heightens both the emotional impact and charming humor of the stories. Each comic is drawn in an individual sketchbook, and Brown is showing a selection of these original books as part of the exhibition.

Lilli Carré is an animator and cartoonist who has produced a series of celebrated comics, illustrations, and hand-drawn animated short films. Her work combines an elegant visual style with elliptical narratives that are imbued with an absurdist, and at times, discomforting humor. Along with a series of original illustrations, the exhibition includes a selection of Carré’s short films.

Paul Hornschemeier’s widely acclaimed comics incorporate complex, self-referential narrative structures that knowingly appropriate various comic book styles. A selection of his original blue graphite and ink drawings are on display, including ones from his upcoming comic Life with Mr. Dangerous, which is to be published by Random House in May 2011.

Anders Nilsen uses a sparse aesthetic and narrative style to create existentialist fables that revolve around the interactions between animals (birds and dogs) and young men. Nilsen shows a selection of original ink and graphite drawings from his recently completed 600-page comic Big Questions, which is to be published by Drawn and Quarterly in 2011.

New Chicago Comics is organized by MCA Curatorial Assistant Michael Green.