The University of Chicago Laboratory Schools

Corvus Gallery Exhibit Challenges Notion of "The Other"

While traveling the globe as a marketing director for Procter & Gamble, artist Daniel Epstein made time to interview and photograph 500 people across 27 countries documenting the faces and words of people representing their faith and spirituality. His twenty-year exploration is a far-reaching and extensive oral history project about faith. 

To share his interviews and portraits with the world, Epstein founded the nonprofit, Portraits in Faith Foundation. Out of his experience, he created a practice he calls “sacred listening,” which he defines as “receiving the story of someone you perceive to be ‘the other.’” Epstein will bring his art to the University of Chicago Laboratory Schools’ Corvus Gallery and introduce this idea to students of all ages. 

“I am excited to feature the artwork of Daniel Epstein to challenge our thinking of ‘the other’," said Gina Alicea, Corvus Gallery Director and Middle School visual arts teacher. “This exhibit asks the viewer directly how they can dismantle their misperceptions of "the other” and what they can do to bring more unity amongst humanity.” 

Portrait subjects showcased in the exhibit come from 27 countries and represent over 50 religions, denominations, and spiritual followings. 

With three workshop sessions scheduled with the High School, three with the Middle School, and two with the Lower School, Epstein will adjust the workshop for various age groups and developmental stages. He will have students think about and discuss times when they felt like the other, who they see as the other, and if their perceptions could change. The hope is that these workshops will help students enhance their listening skills and foster a curiosity for learning other points of view. 

The exhibit will be open to the public in the Corvus Gallery at 5815 South Kimbark Avenue, January 3–March 7. It will display 12 large-scale portraits, 27 portraits on the world map, and approximately 50 wall portraits. The exhibit will also feature questions on the wall to evoke reflection and curiosity. 

On Thursday, January 26, from 4–7 p.m. Corvus Gallery will celebrate the opening of the exhibit. The reception starts at 4 p.m. in the John and Victoria Rogers Lobby, followed by the artist talk at 6 p.m. in the drama studio, and book signing at 6:30 p.m. in the gallery.