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Artist brings global culture to Buffalo Grove, Indian Trails Library
Buffalo Grove resident John Green shows off his collection of worldly art, which is now on display at the Indian Trails Public Library. | Dan Luedert~Sun-Times Media
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Updated: December 31, 2012 10:22AM
BUFFALO GROVE — Globe-trotting drawing artist John Green has a display up for the rest of December at the Indian Trails Public Library, but only part of the show is his own work.
The “My Personal Favorites” exhibit features original works from artists Green has met, and purchased from, on several different continents.
Last week, the Buffalo Grove-based artist took a seat at the library and discussed cultural identities of America and other nations, Chicago rapper Lupe Fiasco’s latest album, non-verbal communication and more.
Q: How did this project come to be?
A: I’ve done several shows, and they’ve all been various themes. When the library asked for another show here, my thought process was ‘Why don’t I go into my personal life?’ Everything here came off of a wall, not out of storage.
Q: How did you pick these pieces?
A: That was quite a project. I have about 150 pieces in my collection, and there’s 23 in this show. I picked them to show the diversity of the collection, and to show relationships.
Q: What takes you around the world?
A: We’re losing the richness of culture globally, as we become a global society. America comes off as a country without a culture, but we are a country with tremendous culture. I only know two languages: English and drawing. As soon as I see someone drawing, we’re communicating, and I get drawn into their culture. It’s not comparing culture, it’s just exchanging elements of them. It’s not about getting on an airplane and going shopping in Paris. If I’m in Paris, I want to understand the Parisian culture. So I’m on the street, drawing something that catches my eye, that seems uniquely French... this concept of French rudeness doesn’t really exist to me. The more unique the culture, the more I want to visit it. If I’m going to Germany ... it’s probably a stopping point to someplace else. The last time I went through Germany, I was on my way to Morocco and Timbuktu.
Q: What kind of culture do you see originating from America?
A: The Americans with Disabilities Act. Go around the world, that attitude doesn’t exist anywhere else. We spend billions of dollars making sure that can happen. You don’t hear about the Italians with Disabilities Act.
Q: What is next for you?
A: Don’t know for sure. You spin the globe and see where you’re going. I know where I want to go next, and that’s Madagascar.
