The Renaissance Society presented Cathy Wilkes’ 2008 Turner Prize nominated installation, I Give You All My Money. On loan from the Modern Institute, this installation contains all the symbolic imagery of a 17th century still life.

Cathy Wilkes I Give You All My Money, 2008 Mixed media installation Dimensions variable Courtesy of The Modern Institute/Toby Webster Ltd

Derelict nurses passively gauge an aftermath of the unknown as viewers peruse the stores remnants, begging the question, “what happened here?” Situated around two grocery-store checkout counters, dirty dishes, an empty stroller and various bits of cloth contribute to Wilkes’ symbolic appropriations. Dealing with the reoccurring themes of loss, consumerism and decay, I Give You All My Money forces its audience to face dark fears in order to find answers.

Cathy Wilkes I Give You All My Money, 2008 Mixed media installation Dimensions variable Courtesy of The Modern Institute/Toby Webster Ltd

Cathy Wilkes I Give You All My Money, 2008 Mixed media installation Dimensions variable Courtesy of The Modern Institute/Toby Webster Ltd

Upcoming exhibitions at The Renaissance Society include:

Yto Barrada, Riffs, March 18 – April 22, 2012
Dawoud Bey, May 13 – June 24, 2012

The Renaissance Society is at University of Chicago located at 5811 South Ellis Avenue. For additional information, call 773.702.8670 or visit website.

Kathleen Rapp is the Assistant Project Manager for EXPO CHICAGO and a local contributor to The Seen.