Vertical Gallery unites the globe with collaborative group show ‘ALLIANCE’

Vertical Gallery, Chicago’s premier urban-contemporary art gallery, is very proud to present 'ALLIANCE,' a unique collaborative exhibit connecting established and emerging artists from across the planet. 

VIEW THE EXHIBITION HERE

‘ALLIANCE,’ which runs Feb. 7- Mar. 1 at Vertical’s West Town location (2006 W. Chicago Ave. #1R; enter via the alley off Damen Ave.), pairs seven Chicago-area artists with kindred creative spirits from elsewhere in the U.S. and abroad. The artist matchups are:

• Blake Jones + Yeka Haski

• Laura Catherwood + Collin van der Sluijs

• Oscar Joyo + JJ Zamoranos

• Adam Augustyn + Hendra HeHe

• E.LEE + OakOak

• Pizza in the Rain + Max Seckel

• Bird Milk + ZROPRO

Each duo joins forces on a 24” x 30” canvas. All 14 artists in the show also contribute three 12” x 12” solo pieces. 

Some of the ‘ALLIANCE’ pairings bring together longstanding Vertical favorites. For example, Chicago’s Catherwood and the Netherlands’ van der Sluijs have each headlined multiple solo shows at the gallery. 

“These types of artist collaborations fare best if there’s a common thread, whether that’s style or subject matter or the feelings present in the work,” Catherwood says. “When I was asked to participate in ‘ALLIANCE,’ I immediately thought of Collin, because our work shares a dreaminess and a playfulness, as well as a reverence for the natural environment. In fact, I was briefly concerned that the pairing seemed too obvious. But he said yes, and it turned out great.”

‘ALLIANCE’ also features artists making their Vertical debut, including Finland-born/ Tokyo-based Haski, creator and lead designer of the animated series ‘Sonya from Toastville,’ whom Chicago’s Jones (fresh off his recent solo show ‘B-Sides’) met while exhibiting in Japan. 

“Collaborations are successful when neither artist feels inhibited by the other. At the same time, both artists have to allow the other the space to expand, and to mix the flavors together,” Jones says. “The most successful collaborations are planned out. You send sketch after sketch after sketch, and go back and forth, and eventually, you land in the middle.”   

‘ALLIANCE’ sets in motion Vertical’s 2025 programming slate opposite ’Something Lost; Something Gained,’ a solo exhibit by Chicago painter Christy Grossmann, on view in the gallery’s front showroom. Both exhibits kick off with an opening reception Friday, Feb. 7 from 5:00 to 8:00 p.m.