ELI WILLIAMSON: THE FOUR VIRTUES - WORK

On view: January 12 – February 18, 2024

Opening Reception: Sunday, January 21, 2024, 1-4 pm

Eli Williamson is a photo essayist born and bred on the talented streets of Chicago’s South Side. His street photography works to capture the intimate moments of Afro-American diaspora communities, which have created the underpinnings of popular culture worldwide. His focus on capturing the narratives of Black Men and Boys through images creates opportunities to upend the stereotypes that have been detrimental to their wellness and detrimental to the cohesion of the communities in which they live. By combining his images with written exposition, his audience can understand his perspective through his experiences as a Black father and nonprofit leader in the communities where he lives and works. His images focus on color, reciprocal relationships, and community grit. This focus underpins his ability to capture authentic imagery of the Afro-American diaspora that is emulated worldwide.

 

THE FOUR VIRTUES

The Four Virtues is a four-part monograph that explores and cements the virtue of Black Men and boys through images captured in Chicagoland. The Four Virtues: FatherHood, Work, Wonder, and Fellowship provide witness to the complexity of Black Men and boys as they navigate narratives hostile to their identities, wellness, and the communities in which they live. Mirroring the cardinal virtues, these captured images and written exposition explore how these Four Virtues provide a lens through which Black men and boys should be supported, loved, and honored in our society. Chicagoland has a rich tradition and history of being an anchor for Black excellence: showcasing these virtues in action creates a beacon of light for Black men and boys while disrupting false narratives that negatively impact their wellness. This light is needed more than ever as “Black Male Suicides are Rising Faster Than Any Other Racial Group.” 
 
The images and writing for the first virtue, FatherHood, was featured at the Evanston ArtCenter in 2023. The second virtue, Work, will be featured from January through February 2024. In conjunction with images and written exposition, the author has partnered with the filmmaker Sylvia Jones to document the rites of passage of Black Men and Boys as they have conversations about the opportunities and responsibilities of manhood. In this documentary, “The Ritual of Manhood,” Black men and boys will have space to reflect on the images society projects on them and embrace the actual images that society tells them do not exist.
 
 
ABOUT THE ARTIST
 
Eli Williamson is a nonprofit and philanthropy executive with over a decade of experience working to solve complex problems in distressed communities. His goal as a photo essayist is to use street photography to challenge false narratives of the Afro-American Diaspora. Eli is also the co-founder of Leave No Veteran Behind, an Illinois-based non-profit that invests in veterans to build more resilient communities. He was the former Director of Veterans Programs for the Robert R. McCormick Foundation. Eli served in Iraq and Afghanistan as a non-commissioned officer in the US Army, as a member of Psychological Operations (PSYOP), and as an Arabic linguist supporting special operations forces. Eli is a dedicated father and enjoys taking summer wilderness adventures in his camper with his standard poodle Starla.
 

GALLERY HOURS & VISITOR INFORMATION

This exhibition will be held in the Second Floor Atrium Gallery of the Evanston Art Center (EAC). Masks are optional but strongly recommended for students, visitors and staff.

Gallery Hours

Monday–Thursday: 9am–6pm

Friday: 9am–5pm

Saturday–Sunday: 9am–4pm

HOW TO PURCHASE ARTWORK

Artwork sale proceeds benefit both the artist and the Evanston Art Center. If you are interested in purchasing artwork on display, please contact Emma Rose Gudewicz, Director of Development and Exhibition Manager, at [email protected] or (847) 475-5300 x 102.

This project is partially supported by a grant from the Illinois Arts Council Agency and EAC's general membership.

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