Chicago Pride Mural 2022
Thanks to a generous donation from Häagen-Dazs, Allies in Arts commissioned queer Chicago-based artists Sam Kirk and Jenny Q to create an original mural for Chicago Pride.
Sam Kirk and Jenny Q are a married visual artistic duo with a shared appreciation for celebrating culture and identity in their art practice.
Their individual and joined life experiences largely contribute to the subject matter of their artwork. The usage of their keen interest in story telling, employs a design style which dictates content, layout, and color palette. A multicultural perspective is of significant importance in their work. Through the lens of illustration, styling and vibrant colors, they often tag team on these pieces, passing the work between each other, contributing their unique skillsets to the final art piece. Sam Kirk has a love for line work and intricate details focusing on body language and self expression, while Jenny Q’s enchantment with color brings these details to life, whilst adding styling and references to cultures which have been ingrained in their imagination from decades of traveling the world and growing up in Chicago, New York City and various locations around the globe. As multidisciplinary artists, their work includes a range of mediums from small works on paper to large scale murals seen around the world. Initially focusing on their own practices, they combined forces in 2018, strengthening the visual output of their work. While Sam currently and primarily paints the murals seen in varying major cities, Jenny focuses on the details leading up to the execution which include finalizing color palettes, culturally sensitive and inclusive symbolism plus style. With a combined 60+ murals, they intentionally view the public space as an opportunity to celebrate historically excluded communities and highlight everyday individuals. Vivid color palettes, intricate line-work and layered backgrounds underscore myriads of cultural communities via multi-toned figures. Their work has been featured in O Magazine, Forbes, Travel and Leisure Magazine, among others. Some collaborations include global brands and non-profit organizations such as Harper Collins, Xfinity/Comcast, Converse, World Business Chicago, National Domestic Workers Alliance, WBEZ and a showcase in Times Square during World Pride.
