The Irma Freeman Center for Imagination presents Medieval Pittsburgh, an exhibition featuring the work of artist Nathan Van Patter. The opening reception will be Friday, July 4, 5:30-9 pm. The exhibition closes July 25, 5:30-9 pm. Gallery hours will be held every Saturday, 2-5 PM, or by appointment.

Medieval Pittsburgh is a nonsense idea that happens to also be real. There are shadow categories left over from medieval origins that, though unacknowledged, still exist. Hospitals, universities, coats of arms- these are rooted in our medieval past. The power of medieval thought is like dark matter, exerting gravitational force while remaining invisible. This art show highlights some of the strange ways this operates. Question- have we made Rachel Carson a Saint in our minds- if we have, how did we do that and what does that mean? When we watch football, how much do we excuse the violence in the name of the capital H Heroic? This art show is built as a traveling companion for an evening long journey of reenchantment. It’s an invitation to enjoy the bizarre contradictions of a modern Pittsburgh inflected by an era far away, mythic, and yet palpably connected. 

Nathan Van Patter is a Pittsburgh based artist who makes three dimensional paintings using wood, plumbers glue, watercolor paper, and acrylic paint. Self taught, Nathan makes art stylistically inspired by impressionists painting, hellboy comics, medieval manuscripts, and broken local buildings. Thematically, Nathan frequently mixes mundane subjects with wonder, mystery, and faith. During the last three years, Nathan has exclusively focused on reimagining PIttsburgh as a medieval world. 

The opening of Medieval Pittsburgh will be held in conjunction with Penn Avenue’s monthly art crawl, Unblurred First Friday on July 4th.