THE YELLOW GUITAR
Sanctuary Hall Gallery
March 28, 2025 - May 17, 2025
Musical instruments can often be seen as objects of exquisite complexity and beauty. Aesthetically, they are beautiful objects in themselves, but it is when they are played that instruments become mesmerizing and transformative. Inspired by the vivid colors and playful motifs in Henri Matisse’s 1939 painting La Musique (The Music), Jonathan Franklin’s exhibition The Yellow Guitar pays homage to Matisse’s masterwork, while presenting a whimsical array of musical instruments and performers in perfect harmony with Epiphany Center for the Arts’ historic Sanctuary space and intimate music venue.
For Franklin, the guitar has always represented something accessible and romantic. Unlike a piano, the guitar is portable, and its six strings open to a world of acoustic and vocal possibilities. He credits Elvis Presley and the Beatles for sparking his first inclination to play the guitar. As a teenager, Franklin belonged to a group called The Insex, which was the best (and only) American rock band between Calcutta and Bangkok. Since those halcyon days from decades ago, his love for music in all its shapes and forms has never ebbed.
In this series of paintings, the characters showcase a variety of instruments, from guitars to drums, violins, and saxophones, among others. All that is left for the viewer is to imagine the music.
RSVP for the opening reception on Friday, March 28 from 6 p.m. to 9 p.m. at the link below:
Click HERE for more information on gallery hours and private appointments.
THE YELLOW GUITAR
Sanctuary Hall Gallery
March 28, 2025 - May 17, 2025
Musical instruments can often be seen as objects of exquisite complexity and beauty. Aesthetically, they are beautiful objects in themselves, but it is when they are played that instruments become mesmerizing and transformative. Inspired by the vivid colors and playful motifs in Henri Matisse’s 1939 painting La Musique (The Music), Jonathan Franklin’s exhibition The Yellow Guitar pays homage to Matisse’s masterwork, while presenting a whimsical array of musical instruments and performers in perfect harmony with Epiphany Center for the Arts’ historic Sanctuary space and intimate music venue.
For Franklin, the guitar has always represented something accessible and romantic. Unlike a piano, the guitar is portable, and its six strings open to a world of acoustic and vocal possibilities. He credits Elvis Presley and the Beatles for sparking his first inclination to play the guitar. As a teenager, Franklin belonged to a group called The Insex, which was the best (and only) American rock band between Calcutta and Bangkok. Since those halcyon days from decades ago, his love for music in all its shapes and forms has never ebbed.
In this series of paintings, the characters showcase a variety of instruments, from guitars to drums, violins, and saxophones, among others. All that is left for the viewer is to imagine the music.
RSVP for the opening reception on Friday, March 28 from 6 p.m. to 9 p.m. at the link below:
Click HERE for more information on gallery hours and private appointments.
Born in Michigan, Jonathan Franklin spent much of his childhood in Vietnam, Bangladesh, and Indonesia where his father worked as civil engineer. After studying art at the University of Michigan, he moved to Israel where he lived on a kibbutz, began painting, and worked as printmaker. During that period, he also served as a paratrooper in the Israeli Army.
Moving to Chicago in the 1980’s, Jonathan worked as a set designer and performer and has been a teaching artist in Chicago public schools for 25 years. His artwork has been widely exhibited for over 45 years and he has received commissions for over a dozen public art murals. Franklin’s artwork is held in private collections in both the U.S. and Europe and is represented in collections at the Art Institute of Chicago.
Born in Michigan, Jonathan Franklin spent much of his childhood in Vietnam, Bangladesh, and Indonesia where his father worked as civil engineer. After studying art at the University of Michigan, he moved to Israel where he lived on a kibbutz, began painting, and worked as printmaker. During that period, he also served as a paratrooper in the Israeli Army.
Moving to Chicago in the 1980’s, Jonathan worked as a set designer and performer and has been a teaching artist in Chicago public schools for 25 years. His artwork has been widely exhibited for over 45 years and he has received commissions for over a dozen public art murals. Franklin’s artwork is held in private collections in both the U.S. and Europe and is represented in collections at the Art Institute of Chicago.
