artnet News Profiles Alum and Curator Monique Meloche

Curator Monique Meloche (SAIC 1991–94), and artists Sanford Biggers (MFA 1999) and Rashid Johnson (2003–2004) were recently featured in artnet News about Meloche's role in nurturing many well-known artists.

The article emphasized Meloche’s role in supporting little known artists of color. With more than 50 percent of the collection consisting of artists of color, the article also mentioned her gallery’s recent shift to a new 4,600-square-foot space. Johnson, who had a solo show at Meloche’s eponymous gallery in 2013 even after joining Hauser & Wirth says that Meloche’s “motivating factor” is that she “really cares about her artists.” He further describes their relationship as “less of a business relationship and more of a close friendship.” Michael Darling, chief curator of the Museum of Contemporary Art Chicago is quoted as saying that she has “proven herself as a good spotter of early talent” who “gives them the boost that gets them to the next level of attention and awareness.”

The article goes on to elaborate Meloche’s career and her role in launching internationally renowned talent. According to collector Larry Fields, Monique Meloche is “part of a fabric of galleries in Chicago that don’t get as much credit as they should for their programs.”