ART CENTRIC

Abby Pucker’s new Chicago-based initiatives, Gertie and Art in Common, are proof of the time-honored saying—the apple doesn’t fall far from the tree. Pucker, whose mother is a filmmaker and art collector and whose grandparents include a Boston art gallery owner and a Chicago philanthropist who commissioned a portrait by Andy Warhol, is continuing a family legacy of art appreciation and civic mindedness through two projects designed to establish more opportunities for Chicago’s artists and art enthusiasts.

“One of my greatest role models is my grandmother, Cindy Pritzker, who is almost 99, and though she never technically took a salary for a job, she is largely responsible for the establishment of Millennium Park and the Harold Washington Library Center in its current iteration,” shares Pucker. Similarly, Pucker’s mother, Gigi Pritzker, is a strong influence and sounding board. Both women told Pucker to “go for it” when she contemplated launching these projects in her hometown. “I believe my grandmother said ‘pick yourself up, get out there, and just go get involved,’” laughs Pucker. “My mom said something similar in message, but really helped me to understand that it’s less important that everything fits into a preconceived notion of my personal narrative as things have a habit of making sense and falling into place.”

Gertie, a for-profit community platform where the culturally curious can gather and share artistic interests, was a bright idea born out of the dark days of the COVID-19 pandemic. During that isolating time, Pucker struggled for alternative ways to connect with people and places. “I’m usually the one hosting dinner parties and gatherings, so much so that a friend refers to me as Gertrude Stein,” she says. Thus, “Gertie” is a nod to this late American writer and art collector whose weekly salons in her Paris apartment brought together an avant-garde set of literary, artistic, and musical figures of the early 20th century.

Gertie launched last fall with the publication of (A) Part: A Recipe Guide-Book to Chicago. Pucker, along with her co-producer Vic Wynter, reached out to more than 20 individuals working in the arts, tech, hospitality, music, and finance industries, each recognized for having made some impact on the arts and culture ecosystem in Chicago. “We asked each contributor to take us through their ‘recipe for a perfect day’ in Chicago; a day that leaves them full in their head, heart, and stomach,” recalls Pucker. The one-of-a-kind book, sold at Chicago’s Museum of Contemporary Art, Andersonville’s Women and Children First bookstore, and New York’s Gagosian gallery, is applicable to residents, newcomers, and tourists.

Another Gertie publication is an art-related community content- filled newsletter available to all website registrants. Gertie has also recently begun to offer neighborhood art tours and gallery walks with various dealers and curators. “The goal is for enthusiasts, young or old, students or professionals, to assemble into a multi-generational art club consisting of some fee-based events and others open free of charge—nobody will be excluded as this journey is focused on improving art access at every level in our city,” Pucker explains.

Pucker’s second endeavor, Art in Common, is a nonprofit organization working to create contemporary art experiences outside of formal institutional settings. The concept stemmed from a chance meeting between Pucker and Los Angeles-based independent curator Zoe Lukov at Art Basel Miami Beach in 2021. “I was fascinated by how her group show, Skin In The Game, brought together so many different cultural components, mixed media, and performance art with more traditional fine art forms,” recalls Pucker. “I introduced myself and said, ‘I know you don’t know me, but what do you think about bringing this show to EXPO CHICAGO?’”

With a joint vision, innate trust, and only five months to plan, the pair were able to bring Skin In The Game, which featured works by 50 artists including Theaster Gates and Marilyn Minter, to a 20,000-square-foot industrial space in Fulton Market where 750 guests attended the launch party. Pucker and Lukov’s latest collaboration, Boil, Toil + Trouble, explores the themes of water and magic through the works of artists like Bruce Nauman and Marina Abramović. After wrapping up shows at Art Basel Miami and Frieze Los Angeles, Boil, Toil + Trouble will make its Midwest debut at EXPO CHICAGO.

The path that led to the creation of Gertie and Art in Common was a winding one that took Pucker far from home and then back again. This path is one peppered with artists and has been guided by Pucker’s desire to build bonds between these creatives and their audiences.

Pucker grew up in Lincoln Park in a house filled with Tibetan art because her mother was an organizer of Chicago’s Tibetan Resettlement Project. Her grandfather, who owns Boston’s Pucker Gallery, represented multigenerational artists, some of whom joined the family for Passover seders. It was during these interactions with artists like painter Samuel Bak and ceramicist Brother Thomas Bezanson that Pucker observed “regardless of what side of the business you are on, it’s the human connection and conversation that brings so much of one’s art to life.” It is this reason why her own collection is largely made up of work by emerging artists whom she has met or knows. Pucker’s passion for contemporary art has recruited other fellow family enthusiasts. “My dad and I have really been able to deepen our relationship and build a strong bond over our interest in modern and contemporary art.”

Pucker’s high school experience at Walter Payton College Preparatory High School fostered a deep appreciation for Chicago’s many facets. “My teen years were when I really began learning about different neighborhoods and towns through the diverse group of friends I made at Payton,” notes Pucker. For college, she attended New York’s Columbia University graduating with a degree in Middle East, South Asian, and African Studies. She then spent several years between the East and West coasts pursuing an array of interests from a stint at Sotheby’s auction house to a post at United Talent Agency in Los Angeles. By the time she decided to return home permanently, Pucker had already temporarily relocated to Chicago to oversee the production of Nevermore Park, an immersive art installation telling the origin story of Chicago street artist Hebru Brantley’s beloved “Flyboy” character.

With the creation of Gertie and Art in Common, Pucker lands like an apple at the base of a family tree that has long fostered creativity and inclusivity. Like their contributions, her voice and vision are sure to make a lasting impression.

For more information, visit artincommon.art, gertie.co or follow @gertie.chicago.