IRIS BERNBLUM
(b.1975) in Toledo, OH / Work in Chicago
BIO
Bernblum is a cross disciplinary, conceptually based artist with a deep interest in ideas related to human nature, power and vulnerability. She focuses primarily on the way we frame our sense of self in regard to gender, sexuality, pleasure and desire. Bernblum always invites you to play a role.
EDUCATION
2001 Columbia University, New York, NY MFA
1997 The School of the Art Institute of Chicago, Chicago, IL BFA
PRACTICE
Solo Exhibitions
2023 VARIOUS PLEASURES, March/April, Goldfinch, Chicago, IL
2020 PETITE MORT, October, Aspect/Ratio, Chicago, IL
2017 PEAKS & VALLEYS, May, Aspect/Ratio Gallery, Chicago, IL
2016 I'LL BE HERE, Aspect/Ratio Gallery, Feb/March, Chicago, IL
2016 HORN, Terrain Exhibitions, April/March, Oak Park, IL
2016 TODAY IS A NEW DAY, Chicago Artist's Coalition, April/May, Chicago, IL
Selected Group Exhibitions
2025 ALL THE COLORS IN THE DARK, Springs Projects, August, Brooklyn, NY
2025 SUBLIME, Hydra Book Club, June, Hydra, Greece
2024 LIFE CYCLES, Sept - Feb, DePaul Museum of Art, Chicago, IL
2023 FOR THOSE WITHOUT A CHOICE, Jan - Apr, Weinberg Newton Gallery, Chicago, IL
2023 SUMMER SHOW, July/Aug, Goldfinch, Chicago, IL
2021 NATURAL HISTORY, Iris Bernblum & Jessie Mott, Sept/Oct, Carthage College, WI
2019 AMERICAN LIFE, July, Ohklahomo, Chicago IL
2019 ON THE FENCE, Feb/March, Aspect/Ratio, Chicago, IL
2018 ANN TOEBBE / IRIS BERNBLUM, Feb, The Arts Club, Chicago, IL
2018 BODY BOUNDARIES, April, Mana Contemporary, Newark, NJ
2018 INQUIRY 1, May, Spertus Institute, Chicago IL
2018 I AM THE HORSE, Iris Bernblum & Lise Haller Baggesen Ross, June, Goldfinch Projects, Chicago, IL
2018 NO TOMORROW, Iris Bernblum & Nelly Agassi, Oct/Dec, Aspect/Ratio,Chicago, IL
2018 INFINITE GAMES, Open House Contemporary, Sept/March, Chicago, IL
2017 POST-ELECTION SHOW, September Gallery, Jan/March, Hudson, NY
2017 YOUR BODY IS A BATTLEGROUND, Weinberg/Newton Gallery, April/June, Chicago, IL
2016 WHO CARES FOR THE SKY? Sabina Ott, Hyde Park Art Center, Chicago, IL
2015 PREVIEW 5, Sept, Chicago Artist's Coalition, Curated by Grace Deveney, Chicago, IL
2015 GOLD/DK, Terrain Biennial, Curated by Lise Haller Baggesen-Ross, Viborg, Denmark
2015 (I'D LIKE TO SUGGEST) Linger On, Curated by Anna Kunz, Chicago, IL
2007 THE PRICE OF NOTHING, The Elizabeth Foundation, Curated by Jason Murrison New York, NY
2007 BUNCH ALLIANCE AND DISSOLVE, Curated by Matt Keegan, Contemporary Arts Center, Nov/Jan, Cincinnati, OH
2006 THE MIND/BODY PROBLEM, Artists Space, Curated by Christian Rattemeyer, Jan/Feb, New York, NY
CURATORIAL
2023 Lovesick on the Floor, March/April, Goldfinch, Chicago, IL
2017 Simple Pleasures, Feb/March, Heaven Gallery, Chicago IL
LECTURES / VISITING ARTIST
2025 GUEST LECTURE, New School Modality at Hauser & Wirth, with Romi Crawford
2025 VISITING ARTIST, Columbia College, Chicago IL
2024 VISITING ARTIST, School of The Art Institute of Chicago, Chicago IL
2024 VISITING ARTIST, University of Chicago, Chicago IL
2023 GUEST LECTURE, DePaul Museum of Art, Chicago, IL
2019 GUEST LECTURE / VISITING ARTIST, School of the Art Institute of Chicago, Chicago, IL
2018 GUEST LECTURE, Carthage College, WI
2016 VISITING ARTIST, University of Illinois, Chicago, IL
PUBLICATIONS / AWARDS
2025 Make a Wave grant, 3Arts, Chicago, IL
2025 Sublime, Hydra Book Club
2025 Mermaids and Lazy Activists, by Maud Lavin, cover art
2023 Top 50 Artist's Artists Chicago, New City Magazine
2023 The Invented Mother, by Thea Goodman, cover art
2021 Submissions, Artist’s Book
2014 The Comp Magazine, Power and Play, University of St. Francis
2006 Bunch Alliance and Dissolve Public Holiday Projects, edited by Matt Keegan