Vertical Gallery, Emmy Star Brown enter a new dimension with ‘Familiar Form’

Vertical Gallery is proud to present ‘Familiar Form,’ a solo exhibit featuring Chicago-based abstract painter and muralist Emmy Star Brown.

‘Familiar Form,’ which runs May 3-25, combines works on paper, canvas and decades-old wooden boards throughout the gallery space. Brown will attend the exhibit’s opening, taking place at Vertical (2006 W. Chicago Ave. #1R; enter via the alley off Damen Ave.) on Friday, May 3 from 5:00 -8:00pm; at that time, she and Vertical will release a limited-edition print.

‘Familiar Form’ celebrates Brown’s inner child — the quiet but indomitable force whose curiosity and sense of wonder continue to guide the artist’s life and work. “I was non-verbal when I young, and with help from an art therapist, I learned to draw my world. This experience formed some of my earliest memories, and helped me to find my voice,” Brown explains. “’Familiar Form’ aims to highlight the joy, spontaneity and fearlessness synonymous with our younger selves. It is a visual journey back to self, reclaiming parts that are often lost as we grow older, and allowing our purest forms of playfulness, creativity and imagination to come forward.”

‘Familiar Form’ picks up where Brown’s 2023 collaboration with Chicago restaurant Esmé left off. “I think a lot about environment, experience and their intersection. I like the idea of creating an immersive space that encourages a reconnection with parts of our younger selves,” Brown says.

‘Familiar Form’ also introduces a bold new element into Brown’s work: blended colors. “Mixing colors adds a fresh feel with added depth, while staying true to my style, shapes and focus on color,” she says. 

Brown earned her BFA in visual communications from the Illinois Institute of Art, working in commercial advertising before launching her career as an independent artist. Her murals have since transformed public spaces nationwide ranging from New York City’s Times Square to Miami's Wynwood Art District to Chicago’s Fulton Market, while her brand collaborations include partnerships with the NBA’s Chicago Bulls, Lululemon, Yeti, Field Notes and Red Hot Chili Peppers.

Emmy Star Brown
‘Familiar Form’
May 3-25, 2024
Opening reception: Friday May 3rd, 5:00-8:00pm
Vertical Gallery
2006 W Chicago Ave #1R, Chicago, IL 60622