Vertical Gallery, Christy Grossmann unveil ‘Something Lost; Something Gained’

Vertical Gallery, Chicago’s premier urban-contemporary art gallery, is very proud to present 'Something Lost; Something Gained,' Chicago-area painter Christy Grossmann’s first solo gallery showcase.

VIEW THE EXHIBITION HERE

‘Something Lost; Something Gained,’ which runs Feb. 7- Mar. 1 at Vertical’s flagship West Town location (2006 W. Chicago Ave. #1R; enter via the alley off Damen Ave.), captures and celebrates the feminine mystique in all its myriad forms. The exhibition draws insight and inspiration from seismic shifts in Grossmann’s personal and professional life: in the months leading up to ‘Something Lost; Something Gained,’ she hit pause on a 13-year career teaching art to elementary school students, and gave birth to her first child. 

“I was an artist and teacher. Now I am a mom. I did not fully understand what that transition would mean professionally, emotionally and spiritually,” Grossmann says. “The work presented in this collection explores themes of internal growth, change, possibility and expanding beyond self-imposed boundaries.”

‘Something Lost; Something Gained’ spotlights Grossmann’s signature magical-realist portraits of enigmatic young women rendered in vivid acrylic hues. “I love to paint femininity — the flowing hair and the bright colors,” she says. “I have always been drawn to feminine energy, especially now. There are so many cool things about women and what we do.”

Each piece in ‘Something Lost; Something Gained’ incorporates antique picture framing and other upcycled materials. “The frames are part of the work,” Grossmann explains. “They demonstrate that you can take something that used to be a boundary and go past it, and make it part of something new. There are so many hidden little details and storylines in this body of work, and I'm hoping viewers can take time to reflect and really enjoy the moment.”

Grossmann was born and raised in the Chicago suburb of Brookfield. While studying art education at Illinois State University, she focused on studio painting, and after earning her master’s degree in educational technology from Concordia University, she taught art to K-5 students in Lombard, Ill. Grossmann made her Vertical Gallery debut via the 2021 group show ‘Atomic Number 13,’ and returned the following year for its sequel; she’s also exhibited in group shows presented by Chicago Truborn Gallery, Seventh Corner Gallery and other local venues. 

‘Something Lost; Something Gained’ sets in motion Vertical’s 2025 programming slate opposite 'ALLIANCE,' a globe-spanning collaborative group show on view in the gallery’s main showroom. Grossmann will attend the exhibition’s opening reception on Friday, Feb. 7 from 5:00 to 8:00 p.m.