Shannon Favia, Uppercut! March 13 - April 3, 2022
Shannon Favia
Uppercut!
March 13 - April 3, 2022
Chicago artist Shannon Favia presents her new body of work in Uppercut!, a solo exhibition running from March 13th to April 3rd, at Material. A former high school art teacher, Favia’s work has navigated pop, sports, workout culture, and the ethos of empowerment throughout her artistic practice. Favia uses the materials and approaches from these systems, often integrating social media. She regularly produces process videos, which are music, art, and cultural assemblages shared on TikTok and Instagram. Shannon has participated in painting performances at Bulls’ Games, her work has appeared on the Chicago Bulls’ hats, Wilson Basketballs, hi-top sneakers, and has been featured in the Chicago Cubs’ posters. A sports and health enthusiast, Favia picks up the instruments of these male-dominated games and forwardly inserts her point of view: edgy, enthusiastic. The striving to better oneself is not tongue in cheek; it is for real, for sure, but it comes with a punch. Favia be-jewels the soft protective gear of the boxing glove, hard candy is also used to deliver the pop, and gold chains hold up the glove that prominently reads EVERLAST. Favia’s work announces itself by mirroring all the complications of sports culture: the competitiveness, the gendered bias, and the dedication and endurance it takes to last.