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Vertical Gallery, Chicago’s premier urban-contemporary art gallery, is very proud to present ‘B-Sides,’ an immersive multimedia showcase featuring illustrator, designer and muralist Blake Jones. 

‘B-Sides,’ Jones’ first solo exhibit at Vertical following a series of group show appearances and collaborative efforts, channels the artist’s lifelong passion for music into an array of canvases, drawings and bespoke objects celebrating the sensory delights of collecting records. ‘B-Sides’ runs October 4-26; Jones will attend the show’s opening reception, taking place at the gallery (2006 W. Chicago Ave. #1R) on Friday, Oct. 4 from 5:00 to 8:00 p.m.  

‘B-Sides’ transforms Vertical’s West Town space into an ersatz record shop, highlighted by more than 100 original drawings packaged inside polyethylene LP sleeves and displayed in bins fabricated by Chicago designer Jacob Polhill. The exhibit also incorporates hand-painted cassette players, custom neon signs and myriad other totems and talismans familiar to music retail habitués the world over. 

“‘B-Sides’ pays homage to the musicians who blew my mind when I was growing up, as well as the new music I’m discovering today,” Jones explains. “When you flip through the drawings, each one includes a QR code that goes to a 8.5-hour playlist I created for the show. I also designed fake record label logos and graphics, and I’m projecting short animated videos inspired by old-school MTV music videos. This is still an art show, but it’s branded like a real record store to make it more cohesive and more interactive.”

While ‘B-Sides’ retains many of the hallmarks of Jones’ recent projects (including his vivid color palette, striking line work and menagerie of anthropomorphic characters), its emphasis on interactivity harks back to the Texas-born artist’s earliest endeavors. “When I was in my teens and 20s, I used to love doing installation work and making my own little videos, but I haven't done that stuff since I moved to Chicago seven years ago. In fact, a lot of people here have no idea that’s what I used to do,” Jones says. “‘B-Sides’ brings me back to that more experimental, DIY mindset. It’s about the stuff that I'm into as a person. I want the show to feel like a pop song — the kind that’s undeniable when you hear it. Most of all, I want people to have fun.” 

Jones came of age in La Porte, Tex. and studied design at the Art Institute of Houston. Prior to ‘B-Sides,’ he headlined solo exhibits in Chicago, New York City, Tokyo and Hong Kong, and partnered with brands including UVD Toys, Collective Arts Brewing and the NBA’s Chicago Bulls.

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Vertical Gallery is proud to present “Hero’s Journey” the solo exhibit from Chicago-based painter, Adam Augustyn.

“Hero’s Journey,” which runs September 6-28 and opens with a reception on September 6th from 5-8 pm, follows a series of morphing characters as they travel into the unknown, strung with tokens and saddled with belongings from their past phases as they move toward new realms. The series also represents the artist’s personal reflection of his own venture back into painting and the adventure that is parenting three ever-changing girls.

“My work typically obsesses over darker themes reflecting current events rendered bright and cartoonish–it’s my form of sense-making when I’m mad at the world. But for this show, I wanted to focus more on the personal–on the strength of individuals who knowingly embark on adventure and have the wherewithal to appreciate the journey while the journey is in motion, simultaneously celebrating life, and taking joy in overcoming obstacles.”

Augustyn fostered a love of art from a young age and across many forms, spanning film, special effects, games, and sculpture. His career has focused on creating art and animation and providing art direction for video games. This is his second solo show with the gallery, following “The Sky Is Falling” in 2022. He has participated in numerous group shows, showing work in Philadelphia, San Francisco, Los Angeles, and Chicago.

Adam Augustyn
“Hero’s Journey”
September 6 – 28, 2024
Opening night, Friday September 6^th, 5:00-8:00pm
Vertical Gallery, 2006 W Chicago Ave. #1R, Chicago

Vertical Gallery is very excited to announce our Summer Group Show featuring 50+ artists, each contributing two 11x14 in. (30x40cm) works! 20 of the artists we are showing for the first time; along with some familiar names; and some artists you haven't seen at the gallery for many years. This is a super star show! 

Join us August 2 - 24, 2024, with an opening reception Friday August 2nd, 5:00-8:00pm.

Featuring: Adam Lister (US), AJ Ainscough (US), Akut (DE), Andie Taylor (AU), Angel Onofre (US), Ben Peeters (BE), Bianca Pastel (US), Bird Milk (US), Brad Novak (NZ), Brochevski (US), Candice Tripp (UK), Carlos Fdez (ES), Casey Gray (US), Chris Cunningham (UK), Copyright (UK), Daniel Sueiras Fanjul (ES), Dovie Golden (US), Flog (FR), Grant William Thye (US), Greg Gossel (US), Jaime Sancorlo (ES), Jake and Josh (US), Jérôme Masi (FR), Jerome Tiunayan (US), JJ Zamoranos (PH), Jordan Ferguson (US), Joseph Renda Jr. (US), Justin Hein (US), Kazland (UK), Laura Catherwood (US), Lefty Out There (US), Lie (US), Liz Flores (US), Louis (Masai) Michel (UK), Marcelo Suaznabar (BO), Martin Whatson (NO), Matthew Shutt (UK), Mighty Monkey (UK), Mila Useche (CO), Muretz (BR), My Dog Sighs (UK), Nate Otto (US), OakOak (FR), Pizza in the Rain (US), Ramiro Huizar (US), Ruby Roth (US), Sandra Rojo Picón (ES), Sergio Farfán (US), Shamsia Hassani (AF), Shishidomia (JP), Steve Seeley (US), Super A (NL), Yiğit Can Alper (TR).

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Vertical Gallery, Collin van der Sluijs turn their gaze to ‘Observer’

Vertical Gallery, Chicago’s premier urban-contemporary art gallery, is very proud to present ‘Observer,’ a solo exhibit featuring Netherlands-based painter and muralist Collin van der Sluijs.

‘Observer’ — van der Sluijs’ fifth solo showcase at Vertical (2006 W. Chicago Ave #1R; enter via the alley off Damen) — brings together seven large-scale canvases and about a dozen smaller works on paper, propelling the category-defying artist’s dreamlike, deeply personal approach into new dimensions of visual and thematic complexity. ‘Observer’ runs July 5-27; van der Sluijs will attend the show’s opening reception, taking place at Vertical on Friday, July 5 from 5:00 to 8:00 p.m. 

“‘Observer’ is how I see myself. If I’m in a city, I see walls to paint. When I’m in the countryside, I want to do watercolors. And when I’m in the studio, I want to take my time with paintings,” van der Sluijs says. “This show is about adapting to different situations and exploring different mediums —  challenging yourself, making mistakes in the process, and refusing to walk the easy road.”

Vertical owner and curator Patrick Hull first encountered van der Sluijs’ work in 2013 while traveling across Europe, and soon invited him to participate in the gallery’s one-year anniversary show in April 2014. “Collin is a member of the Vertical family, and we are thrilled to have him return to the gallery for his fifth solo show,” Hull says. “Chicago has become his second home. He’s visited eight times for solo shows, group shows and wall projects, and many of his murals are still viewable in the city. Come explore what he has created for this show.”

Van der Sluijs began writing graffiti at the age of 11, and spent the following decade studying a range of creative disciplines before earning a Master’s degree in fine art in 2004 from the St. Joost Academy of Art and Design. Van der Sluijs has since exhibited in galleries across Europe and the U.S., and painted murals in locations including Amsterdam and Maastricht in The Netherlands; The Hague and Leuven in Brussels; Berlin, Germany; and the most recent in Laon, France.

Collin van der Sluijs
'Observer'
July 5 - 27, 2024
Opening reception: Friday July 5th, 5:00-8:00pm
Vertical Gallery, 2006 W Chicago Ave #1R

“Back Home Again (in Indiana)” Group Show

From Shelley Bloch, Owner of The Wall Muse:

“After leaving Indiana in 2012 with no intentions of returning, life’s unexpected twists brought me back home amidst the pandemic. It’s been a journey of rediscovery and reconnection, especially with the vibrant art scene here.

I’m beyond excited to announce a partnership between myself (@thewallmuse) and one of my all-time favorite galleries, Vertical Gallery (@verticalgallery) from Chicago, for an upcoming exhibition titled “Back Home Again (in Indiana).” This show is a celebration of talent and creativity, featuring an incredible lineup of artists both from the Midwest and around the globe.

Exhibition: “Back Home Again (in Indiana)” Presented by Vertical Gallery and The Wall Muse
Venue: Republic, 2301 E 10th St., Indianapolis, IN 46201
Dates: June 21 - July 13
Opening Reception: June 21, 6:00-9:00pm

It’s an honor to showcase these artists and bring this exhibition to life in Indiana. Whether you’re a local or visiting, we can’t wait to welcome you to this special exhibition. Let’s rediscover the beauty and depth of art together!”

Featuring (in alphabetical order by first name):

Aaron Craig, Alejandra Carrillo, Amai Rawls, Jr. (Brochevski), Asia Piasny, Danny J Martinez (Van Dam One), Ha Haengeun, Jason Rowland (r6d4), Joseph Renda Jr., Justin Cooper, Laura Catherwood, Lie, Liz Flores, Lucy Layne, Madiha Siraj, Mailinh Ho, My Dog Sighs, Natalia Rak, OakOak, Oscar Joyo, Oscar Toloza, Pipsqueak Was Here!!!, Pure Evil, Sergio Farfan, Sentrock, Steve Seeley, Suyao Tian, Tom Day, and Xenz.

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