Povos Gallery company logo
Povos Gallery
Skip to main content
  • Menu
  • About
  • Exhibitions
  • Art Fairs
  • Press
  • Artists
  • Contact
Cart
0 items £
Checkout

Item added to cart

View cart & checkout
Continue shopping
Menu

Birds of No Feather: Julia Signe - 600 W Van Buren St

Past exhibition
May 10 - July 6, 2024
  • Overview
  • Works
  • Installation Views
  • Press
  • Share
    • Facebook
    • X
    • Pinterest
    • Tumblr
    • Email
Overview
Julia Signe 3 Riverside Seamstresses, 2023 graphite on paper 11 x 14 inches 27.9 x 35.6 cm
Julia Signe
3 Riverside Seamstresses, 2023
graphite on paper
11 x 14 inches
27.9 x 35.6 cm

"Bird People" emerged, one way or another, as Chicago-based Norwegian-American artist Julia Signe’s creative sanctuary. Inspired by the uncanny and the power of symbols, these figures became intimate reflections, representing a pursuit of freedom and personal growth. In layered, imaginative landscapes, they explore vulnerability's transformative power, emphasizing the importance of community. Depicting the figures nude conveys a certain utopian idealism about openness and honesty–perhaps the most direct in a series of allegorical moments. The medium of graphite allows for an automatic-but-controlled approach to making, another reflection of the artist’s emphasis on freedom.


Depicting scenes of adventure, conflict, and an unknown folklore, the collection of graphite drawings is reminiscent of the direct narratives of cave drawing. Ancient Norwegian stories passed down through her family inspire a mythological approach to narrative and iconography. The eagle representing authority; the raven: wisdom; and the cormorant carrying messages from the beyond, Signe continues a norse legacy of aviary symbolism. Instead of conquest and violence, however, Signe brings to the forefront questions of identity, vulnerability and belonging. Drawing from these diverse influences, as well as an international background, Signe’s work reflects a journey of reconciling contrasting desires: wanderlust and domesticity; rigidity and compromise; stagnance and growth; comfort and freedom. If birds of a feather flock together, it follows that the Birds of No Feather may flock alone. Is un-belonging freedom? The exhibition invites viewers gently on a journey of reflection through empathy and magical storytelling.

Works
  • Julia Signe 3 Riverside Seamstresses, 2023 graphite on paper 11 x 14 inches 27.9 x 35.6 cm
    Julia Signe
    3 Riverside Seamstresses, 2023
    graphite on paper
    11 x 14 inches
    27.9 x 35.6 cm
  • Julia Signe A Sacred Signal, 2023 Graphite on Paper 9 3/8 x 6 3/4 inches 23.8 x 17.1 cm
    Julia Signe
    A Sacred Signal, 2023
    Graphite on Paper
    9 3/8 x 6 3/4 inches
    23.8 x 17.1 cm
  • Julia Signe An Honest Sacrifice, 2023 graphite on paper 10 x 11 inches 25.4 x 27.9 cm
    Julia Signe
    An Honest Sacrifice, 2023
    graphite on paper
    10 x 11 inches
    25.4 x 27.9 cm
  • Julia Signe California Girl, 2023 graphite on paper 6 x 6 1/2 inches 15.2 x 16.5 cm
    Julia Signe
    California Girl, 2023
    graphite on paper
    6 x 6 1/2 inches
    15.2 x 16.5 cm
  • Julia Signe Cookie Jar Graphite on Paper 8 x 9 inches 20.3 x 22.9 cm
    Julia Signe
    Cookie Jar
    Graphite on Paper
    8 x 9 inches
    20.3 x 22.9 cm
  • Julia Signe Garden Tricks, 2023/2024 graphite on paper 8 1/2 x 12 inches 21.6 x 30.5 cm
    Julia Signe
    Garden Tricks, 2023/2024
    graphite on paper
    8 1/2 x 12 inches
    21.6 x 30.5 cm
  • Julia Signe Greetings! From the Lake, 2024 graphite on paper 11 x 15 inches 27.9 x 38.1 cm
    Julia Signe
    Greetings! From the Lake, 2024
    graphite on paper
    11 x 15 inches
    27.9 x 38.1 cm
  • Julia Signe Pacific Visitation, 2023 graphite on paper 9 x 5 1/8 inches 22.9 x 12.9 cm
    Julia Signe
    Pacific Visitation, 2023
    graphite on paper
    9 x 5 1/8 inches
    22.9 x 12.9 cm
  • Julia Signe Persistence 1: Santa Barbara, 2023 graphite on paper 9 1/2 x 8 inches 24.1 x 20.3 cm
    Julia Signe
    Persistence 1: Santa Barbara, 2023
    graphite on paper
    9 1/2 x 8 inches
    24.1 x 20.3 cm
  • Julia Signe Persistence 2 : Slayer, 2023 Graphite on Paper 18 x 23 inches 45.7 x 58.4 cm
    Julia Signe
    Persistence 2 : Slayer, 2023
    Graphite on Paper
    18 x 23 inches
    45.7 x 58.4 cm
  • Julia Signe, Persistence 2_ Slayer, 2023
    Julia Signe, Persistence 2_ Slayer, 2023
  • Julia Signe The Creation of Flowers Through Snake Bile, 2023 graphite on paper 7 x 10 inches 17.8 x 25.4 cm
    Julia Signe
    The Creation of Flowers Through Snake Bile, 2023
    graphite on paper
    7 x 10 inches
    17.8 x 25.4 cm
  • Julia Signe The Debate, 2023 graphite on paper 9 x 13 inches 22.9 x 33 cm
    Julia Signe
    The Debate, 2023
    graphite on paper
    9 x 13 inches
    22.9 x 33 cm
Installation Views
  • Birds Of No Feather 18
  • Birds Of No Feather 31
  • Birds Of No Feather 30
  • Birds Of No Feather 25
  • Birds Of No Feather 23
  • Birds Of No Feather 20
  • Birds Of No Feather 21
  • Birds Of No Feather 24
  • Birds Of No Feather 22
  • Birds Of No Feather 16
  • Birds Of No Feather 28
  • Birds Of No Feather 26
  • Birds Of No Feather 27
  • Birds Of No Feather 29
Press
  • West Town’s Povos Gallery Adds Downtown Location

    Founder Lucca Colombelli has teamed up with gallerist Winston Guo to open the second location and expand programs.
    Quinn Myers, Block Club Chicago, April 9, 2024

Related artist

  • Julia Signe

    Julia Signe

Back to exhibitions
Manage cookies
Copyright © 2025 Povos Gallery
Site by Artlogic
Go
Instagram, opens in a new tab.

This website uses cookies
This site uses cookies to help make it more useful to you. Please contact us to find out more about our Cookie Policy.

Manage cookies
Accept

Cookie preferences

Check the boxes for the cookie categories you allow our site to use

Cookie options
Required for the website to function and cannot be disabled.
Improve your experience on the website by storing choices you make about how it should function.
Allow us to collect anonymous usage data in order to improve the experience on our website.
Allow us to identify our visitors so that we can offer personalised, targeted marketing.
Save preferences