Hyde Park Art Center, a distinguished non-profit enclave for contemporary art nestled in the vibrant heart of Chicago’s South Side, proudly unveils the expansive itinerary for Chicago-based artist Candace Hunter’s most ambitious solo exhibition to date. The showcase, a fitting tribute to both Women’s History Month and Martin Luther King Jr. Day, encompasses an array of engaging programs, including immersive reading circles, dynamic writing workshops, and captivating concerts.

Candace Hunter’s exhibition, titled “The Alien-Nations and Sovereign States of Octavia E. Butler,” delves into the rich tapestry of speculative fiction authored by Octavia E. Butler (1947-2006), whose visionary works serve as the creative muse for Hunter’s latest and most immersive artistic venture. Set against the backdrop of meticulously crafted worlds within Butler’s novels, the exhibition features a compelling array of assemblage-based works, installations, video presentations, and soundscapes. These artistic expressions explore the profound significance of Butler’s narratives for Black bodies and the future societies she envisioned.

Scheduled for display from November 11, 2023, to March 3, 2024, this monumental exhibition has been co-curated by the Art Center’s dedicated Public Programs Manager, Ciera Alyse McKissick, and the esteemed Director of Exhibition & Residency Programs, Allison Peters Quinn.

Within “The Alien-Nations and Sovereign States of Octavia E. Butler,” Hunter introduces a series of innovative works that include synthetic plants, remnants from a sustainable food experiment, a contemplative reading nook, and painted doors conceived as portals to otherworldly realms. Hunter describes the collective effect as an “alien lush space,” fostering an immersive environment that sparks contemplation on the concepts of nationhood. Probing questions about the perception of the ‘other’ and exploring the universality of human experience, the exhibition challenges visitors to reconsider societal boundaries.

A standout feature of the showcase is the mesmerizing installation titled “Lilith’s Journey,” inspired by Butler’s Xenogenesis Trilogy (Lilith’s Brood). This installation, adorned with a sequence of female silhouettes interspersed with full-length distorting mirrors, symbolizes the matriarchal essence and Lilith’s pivotal role in guiding and nurturing a new civilization. The mirrors serve as a poignant exploration of the nuanced relationship between the gaze and the creation of feelings of ‘otherness.’

Through Hunter’s unique lens, the exhibition draws parallels between the Parable of the Sower and the Trump era, while utilizing the Xenogenesis Trilogy (Lilith’s Brood) to envision “alien” worlds beyond contemporary America and its complex racial dynamics. Hunter’s visionary exhibition creates a speculative space where multiple generations converge to collectively envision a more inclusive and promising future.

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