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CABNOV (IG: @cab_nov) is one of seven emerging artists making their Vertical Gallery debut at our 12-Year Anniversary international group show, opening Friday, April 4. The latest installment in our Artist Spotlight series reveals all.

Vertical Gallery: Please introduce yourself to our audience.

CABNOV: I am a self-taught, multidisciplinary artist. My artistic journey began with music, which I transformed into mural paintings in New Zealand. After debuting my work there, I made the transition to the gallery scene in 2020, where I began painting on canvas. Over the past four years, I have established myself as a full-time professional artist. 

My art reflects the belief that life is a tapestry woven from unexpected moments, creating a world that transcends the physical realm. Influenced by emotions and the energy around me, I embrace an open-minded and humorous perspective, resonating with the intricate layers of human existence. One of my earliest inspirations is the first edition of the Where's Waldo? books — a cherished childhood collection that continues to fuel my creative vision.

Notable achievements in my career include being featured in art fairs in Korea and the Philippines, as well as presenting at ComplexCon in Las Vegas as part of KnownGallery’s roster of artists.

What does the CABNOV alias represent?

The CABNOV name is deeply significant to me. It combines the first three letters of my partner’s surname, CAB, with my own, NOV. She is my greatest supporter, pushing me to delve deeper into my art and standing by my side from the very beginning. This name beautifully encapsulates our connection as two individuals becoming one.

Tell us about the work you’re exhibiting at Vertical’s 12-Year Anniversary show. 

This body of work centers on self-discovery, relationship building, and fully appreciating the energy and presence of those we surround ourselves with. It underscores the importance of valuing the connections that shape us and the moments that define our journeys.

What does it mean to present your work in front of a Chicago gallery audience, and what practical advice can you offer artists seeking to follow in your footsteps?

This is a pivotal moment for me. Breaking into the U.S. art scene is a dream realized, and this show marks a significant advance in my career. I am excited to share my work and unique artistic style with a new audience.

I have long admired your gallery, especially after seeing one of my favorite artists, Alex Face, exhibit here. This inspired me to take a bold step and submit my work, and I am truly grateful for the opportunity to showcase my art with you. 

To my fellow artists, my advice is this: stay true to your vision and believe in your work, even if 99 percent of people don’t. Remember, it’s crucial to take the time to rest — creativity needs space to breathe.

What’s next for you beyond this group show?

I’m thrilled to announce an upcoming show at a museum in China. My long-term goals are ambitious, including a solo exhibition in New York and creating a public sculpture that stands 20 to 50 feet tall.  

CABNOV's work for our 12-Year Anniversary Show has sold out. Contact us to be added to the list for future works from her.

Vertical Gallery, Chicago’s premier urban-contemporary art gallery, is very proud to present our 12-Year Anniversary Show, an all-star exhibit celebrating our first dozen years at the vanguard of street art, pop surrealism, new contemporary and beyond.

Vertical’s 12-Year Anniversary Show, on display from April 4-26, brings together longtime collector favorites and promising new talents from across the city, across the nation and across the globe, showcasing the consistency and diversity that have remained hallmarks of Vertical’s monthly programming efforts since the gallery opened for business in April 2013. The festivities kick off Friday, April 4 with an opening reception from 5:00 to 8:00 p.m. at our flagship West Town location (2006 W. Chicago Ave. #1R; enter via the alley off Damen Avenue).

“Time flies when you’re having fun!” says Vertical owner and curator Patrick Hull. “When I left my corporate job in San Francisco and moved to Chicago to open Vertical, I was hoping that other collectors would love the same type of art that I love. Twelve years later, with more than 130 exhibitions under my belt, it’s clear I made the right decision. Please join us on April 4 to celebrate this milestone!”

Vertical’s 12-Year Anniversary Show roster features 10 returning artists:

• Martin Whatson (NO) @martinwhatson
• 2CHOEY (TH) @2choey
• Jerome Tiunayan (US) @gohomejerome
• Hama Woods (NO) @hamawoods
• Alex Krueger (US) @alexkruegz
• Arne Spangereid (NO) @arnespangereid
• Grant William Thye (US) @grant_william_thye
• Daniel Sueiras Fanjul (ES) @daniel_sueiras
• Liz Flores (US) @lizitto
• Marcelo Suaznabar (BO) @marcelosuaznabar

Eight additional artists are showing at Vertical for the first time:

• Jonlouis Gonzalez (US) @jonlouisgonzalez
• CABNOV (PH) @cab_nov
• Matthew Shutt (UK) @shutty78
• Ian Inoy (PH) @ianinoy
• Maks Simone (US) @maks.simone
• Twopy (FR) @twopy1
• TOPO (ES) @takethetopo
• Glass Cuisine (US) @glass_cuisine

Last but not least, we're debuting special-edition releases from:

• Lucy Sparrow (UK) @sewyoursoul
• Pure Evil (UK) @pureevilgallery
• Collin van der Sluijs (NL) @collinvandersluijs + Laura Catherwood (US) @laura.catherwood
  

“It is very humbling to see my passion for art turn into a gallery with such loyal support,” Hull says. “Thanks to all the artists that have trusted in us, and to all the collectors that believe in the art we feature. Even after 12 years, I still find myself learning so much from the people around me each day.”

Vertical Gallery 12-Year Anniversary
April 4-26, 2025
Opening reception: Fri. Apr. 4, 5:00-8:00pm
2006 W Chicago Ave #1R

REQUEST THE COLLECTOR'S PREVIEW HERE

What’s in a name? Multitudes — if you’re Troy Lee.

Troy, whose breakthrough solo showcase ‘We From the Heavens’ runs at Vertical Gallery through Saturday, March 29, previously exhibited in our space under the alias Troy Scat. You may have seen his contributions to Vertical group shows like 2021’s ‘#INK,’ its 2022 sequel and 2024’s 11-year anniversary celebration, where the Troy Scat signature adorned lush, sensual portraits of men wreathed in flowers and women draped in nothing at all.  

“Troy Scat was my rebel artist's name,” Troy tells Vertical. “I had some beef with my dad. We didn't always see eye to eye, and I got into a lot of trouble. At one point, my dad was like ‘You ruined my name’ and stuff like that. So I wanted to change my name to the worst name that I could think of. I chose ‘Scat’ because it could mean jazz, like a vocal performance, or it could mean cow dung. For a while, I had that name just out of spite.”

Make no mistake, however: Troy’s father, a minister on Chicago’s South Side, is no villain in his son’s story. In fact, he’s directly responsible for steering 15-year-old Troy into the Little Black Pearl-sponsored after-school art program where he met painter, muralist and longtime mentor Hebru Brantley. 

Troy’s relationship with his father continues to improve and evolve all these years later, thanks in part to the soul-searching that accompanied the creation of ‘We From the Heavens,’ which examines the perceptions and realities confronting Black American males across the generations — how they’re seen in the media, and how they see themselves in the mirror. 

“Now that I’m older, I'm able to look at him as a human man, and step outside of looking at him as just a dad,” Troy says. “It ties in with this body of work, where I'm taking a step back and looking at people for who they are — the circumstances that they're in, and what they're doing to exist and survive.”

The Troy Scat moniker has ceased to be, however. 

“Lee is my middle name, and it's also my dad's middle name, and it's also my brother's middle name. So I decided to change my name to Troy Lee, because that's more fitting of who I am, and where I come from,” Troy says. “I'm not feeling so spiteful anymore.”

VIEW THE EXHIBITION HERE

Vertical Gallery’s latest Collector Spotlight profiles Louis Comte (IG: @louiscomte0503). Louis moved to Chicago from Paris 12 years ago: he comes from a family of art lovers, and started collecting while still in high school, over time striking up friendships with many artists on the Vertical roster. Seeking his own career in a creative field, Louis studied marketing, and currently works as a social media manager for a Chicago-based advertising agency.

Vertical Gallery: Why do you collect art?

Louis Comte: I collect art primarily for its visual aspect. I honestly don’t know or understand the meaning and/or background behind all the pieces in my collection, but each of them creates a unique feeling when I look at them, and inspires my own creativity. 

Art is a passion that I share with my family, so it’s a great opportunity for us to connect and share our perspectives with each other. I also really like meeting and connecting with the artists that created the pieces I collect. 

Whose art do you collect?

The pieces in my collection are from a mix of U.S.-based artists (Hebru Brantley, Jeremy Novy, Joseph Renda Jr., Kelsey Beckett, Laura Catherwood, Lie, Shepard Fairey, Steve Seeley) and international artists (Ador, Collin van der Sluijs, Ella & Pitr, Flog, Mau Mau, Miho Hirano, My Dog Sighs, Pipsqueak was here!!!, OakOak, Wark), most of which I’ve discovered thanks to Vertical Gallery. 

What is the first piece you acquired from Vertical?

A stencil-on-paper piece from Jeremy Novy portraying two koi fishes swimming together.

Whose work do you hope to add to your collection in the coming months? 

I’m less actively looking into adding more pieces and instead waiting to find pieces that give me a sort of “love at first sight” feeling, either from artists that I already know or artists that I will discover in the future. 

A few artists on my radar are Millo, Françoise Petrovich, Frank Noto and XOOOOX. I like the work from these artists, but don’t yet have a piece in my collection from any of them.

What's your advice for new and aspiring collectors?

Trust your instincts. When you appreciate a piece of art, you will feel it and know it almost instantly. Anything related to art — whether it’s acquiring a piece, seeing a work in a museum or creating your own art — is based on feelings, so listen to your feelings. 

Another piece of advice: You will most likely discover pieces that you like through trends, but buy them because you like them, not just because they are on-trend. 

Finally, if you’ve never been to a gallery before, it can be intimidating at first, but you’ll see that people in the art community are here to connect around art, and they are happy to welcome you and connect with you.

Vertical Gallery is very proud to present ‘We From the Heavens,’ a solo showcase for Chicago-born, Los Angeles-based painter and illustrator Troy Lee.

‘We From the Heavens,’ which runs March 7-29 at Vertical’s flagship West Town location (2006 W. Chicago Ave. #1R; enter via the alley off Damen Ave.), heralds a daring new chapter in Lee’s career and creative evolution, shifting the artist’s emphasis from feminine sexuality to masculine vulnerability. The exhibit’s soul-baring paintings and sketches aggressively interrogate the perceptions and realities confronting Black men in contemporary America — how they’re seen in the media, and how they see themselves in the mirror. 

“My overall thing with this show is that I want to restore innocence to the Black body,” says Lee, who recently shed his longtime creative alias Troy Scat. “Most of my past work is centered around the celebration of women, but for this show, I decided to stir up conversations about men loving themselves — what's toxic masculinity, what's healthy masculinity, and what we can do to change these things.”

‘We From the Heavens’ embraces Black males of all ages, depicting some of them with wings; halo-like circles are another recurring motif. Many of the pieces draw inspiration from subtle but significant moments nestled deep within Lee’s favorite movies, television series, music videos and viral clips, a smorgasbord of sources stretching from the high school basketball dramedy Sunset Park to the bonkers science fiction saga The Fifth Element. 

“The characters I’m referencing often are seen as villains in their original context. But I'm taking them out of that context, and magnifying the poetry of moments a lot of people may have missed,” Lee explains. “Take [the 2012 found footage-style drama] Snow on tha Bluff. The protagonist is a drug dealer. A lot of people see him as a bad guy. But there is a scene where he plays with his kid, and ultimately, that kid is who he's doing all of this other stuff for. I wanted to highlight that, because it's something that resonated with me.” 

‘We From the Heavens’ follows a period of intense self-evaluation, guided in part by Lee’s immersion in the writings of theorist, educator and social critic bell hooks. “I recognized that I didn't show as much appreciation for myself as I claim to with women,” he says. “I think when it comes to fully appreciating anyone else, it starts with the self. I've learned to give myself some grace.” 

‘We From the Heavens’ also signals changes in Lee’s artistic mindset. “This is the time where I'm stepping out of my comfort zone as far as subject matter and as far as painting style,” he says. “Usually I'm very tight when it comes to my work. I'm a Libra, so aesthetics is very important to me, and I like to be in control when it comes to how something looks. But over the past year I've gotten a little bit looser, and focused more on getting the idea out, rather than having it look perfect. With this show, there's been a lot of letting go.”

‘We From the Heavens’ brings Lee back to Chicago five years after he left the city to live and work in southern California. The native South Sider drew incessantly throughout childhood, and at age 15 he signed up for a Little Black Pearl-sponsored after-school art program, studying under the tutelage of painter and muralist Hebru Brantley, a longtime mentor. Lee interned for Brantley while attending the Art Institute of Chicago, eventually dropping out to focus on his professional pursuits; a pair of local solo exhibits, ‘Gaze’ and ‘Peer,’ preceded his Vertical debut, the 2021 group show ‘#INK.’ Lee subsequently appeared at the Vertical Project Space location’s one-year anniversary group show, followed in 2022 by ‘#INK2’ and in 2024 by Vertical’s 11-year anniversary group show. 

Vertical Gallery launches ‘We From the Heavens’ Friday, March 7, with an opening reception from 5:00 to 8:00 p.m.