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Joseph Renda Jr. Explores the Surreal World with ‘Biophilia’

Vertical Gallery is very proud to present “Biophilia,” a solo exhibit spotlighting Chicago artist Joseph Renda Jr.

Running from June 6-27, 2020, “Biophilia” brings together 32 new paintings and drawings examining humankind’s innate desire to connect with the natural world, urging viewers to contemplate their own role and responsibility in maintaining this relationship for the benefit of future generations.

“Biophilia,” Renda’s first-ever solo gallery showcase, juxtaposes intricate, highly realistic imagery with boldly surrealistic flourishes to illuminate humanity’s complex relationship to the flora and fauna that enrich our shared environment. “I’ve always had an interest in nature and an interest in the connection between humans and nature, and that’s what the term ‘Biophilia’ embodies,” Renda explains. “I don’t mean for this work to be political. I simply want people to connect with the show in their own way — to experience their own Biophilia effect.”

While ‘Biophila’ draws on the classical oil painting techniques that distinguished Renda’s earlier work, these new pieces also pay explicit homage to the Surrealist and Dadaist movements of the early 20^th century, in particular the innovations of Salvador Dali and Rene Magritte. “My work has always had a surreal outlook, but it was very subtle. This time I pushed it more,” Renda says. “I’ve always been in love with the Surrealists, but they were about what was going on in the subconscious. That’s not how I create. It doesn’t come from the subconscious — it comes from the outside world.”

Renda first attracted attention for his work while in high school, claiming first-place honors in the 2012 Congressional Art Competition. He entered the American Academy of Art with a focus on illustration, but embraced fine art and oil painting at the urging of his instructor and mentor Anthony Adcock, earning his Bachelor of Fine Arts in 2018. Renda made his Vertical Gallery debut in 2017 as part of an all-star holiday pop-up event, subsequently exhibiting at another Vertical pop-up headlined by Collin van der Sluijs and LIE. Renda has also curated and shown in numerous group exhibitions both at home and abroad, created public murals and graced the pages of magazines including New York’s Creative Bloch. In addition, he owns and operates ArtBuilds LLC, an artist service and woodworking company.

Joseph Renda Jr.
“Biophilia”
June 6-27, 2020
Vertical Gallery, 1016 N. Western Ave., Chicago

VIEW THE EXHIBITION

Even though the physical gallery space will be closed until further notice, our online store is open 24/7. Our 7-Year Anniversary Group Show will opened on schedule on Saturday, April 4^th and the exhibition will have an extended run at the gallery through May 23^rd. We look forward to welcoming you to the gallery to see the show in person soon! Please follow us on social media for more details on when current restrictions will allow us to reopen.

CLICK HERE TO VIEW THE GALLERY EXHIBITION IN 3D

CLICK HERE TO PURCHASE ARTWORK

Vertical Gallery is very proud to present our 7-year anniversary exhibit with over 40 local, national and international artists with artistic styles that have shaped the gallery’s programming over the years. 

The featured artists are: Alex Face (TH), Anthony Lister (AU), Beejoir (TH), Ben Eine (UK), Ben Frost (AU), Blek le Rat (FR), Brad Novak (NZ), Danny Torres (US), Eelus (UK), Greg Gossel (US), Hama Woods (NO), Herakut (DE), Huntz Liu (US), IMON BOY (ES), Inkie (UK), James Thistlethwaite (UK), Jenny Frison (US), JC Rivera (US), John Wentz (US), Kate Lewis (US), Kayla Mahaffey (US), Lefty Out There (US), Liz Flores (US), Mau Mau (UK), Max Sansing (US), Merlot (US), Mysterious Al (UK), Oak Oak (FR), Presto (BR), Pure Evil (UK), RYCA (UK), Sentrock (US), Sergio Farfan (US), Shark Toof (US), Steve Seeley (US), Stikki Peaches (CA), Stormie Mills (AU), Sweler (AU), Tinho (BR), Vinnie Nylon (UK), Word to Mother (UK), Zach Rockstad (UK), and Zach Schrey (US). 

Since opening our doors at 1016 N. Western Avenue in 2013, Vertical Gallery has presented ambitious exhibitions with work influenced by street art, urban environments, graffiti, pop culture, graphic design and illustration. With 10 to 12 group and solo shows per year, plus participation in major international art fairs, we have featured over 300 different artists from around the world in our exhibitions.

We were very excited to have Julieta XLF visit the gallery last month. She participated in our Winter Group Show (along with Leon Keer, Martin Whatson, Li-Hill, and James Knight), and since the Chicago winter weather stayed mild, she could paint outside! See the two murals below, and her artwork in the gallery.

Alex Face, MUEBON Make U.S. Debut with Vertical Gallery’s ‘Mythical Creatures’

Vertical Gallery, Chicago’s premier urban-contemporary art gallery, is very proud to present “Mythical Creatures,” the first-ever U.S. showing of Alex Face and MUEBON, two of Asia’s most acclaimed and incisive street artists.

“Mythical Creatures,” which runs from August 10-31, 2019, spotlights all-new works from Alex Face and MUEBON, both featured within the famed Souled Out Studios collective of artists. Alex Face and MUEBON will attend the “Mythical Creatures” opening reception, taking place at Vertical’s 1016 N. Western Ave. location from 6:00-9:00 pm on Saturday, Aug. 10.

“Alex Face and MUEBON are going to introduce people to a different style of street art than they’ve seen before,” said Patrick Hull, Vertical Gallery owner and founder. “These are two of the biggest Asian street artists — both are character-based, and there’s deep meaning in the messages they’re getting across, so pairing them is a natural fit. We’re thrilled to host their U.S. debut exhibition.”

Thailand native Alex Face (born Patcharapol Tangruen) is best known for his signature character Mardi, a three-eyed child often presented in a fuzzy rabbit costume. Inspired by the artist’s own young daughter, Mardi is by turns world-weary and wry, challenging viewers to consider the legacy that our children will inherit as well as what the future holds for successive generations. Long a fixture across the Bangkok cityscape and the Thai countryside, Mardi now adorns walls in locations including Tokyo, Seoul, Taipei, Jakarta, Oslo, Amsterdam and Paris — and soon, Chicago.

Alex Face discovered American graffiti art while studying fine arts at Bangkok’s King Mongktut University Institute of Technology, soon acquiring two cans of spray paint — one red, the other white — which he put to creative use on his own car. At first he painted his name, then moved on to depicting his face, a flourish that inspired the Alex Face moniker. His work has since gained recognition across the globe: in 2018, he occupied the Bank of Thailand Learning Center during the first Bangkok Art Biennale, and the following year, he exhibited in the Venice Biennale in Venice, Italy. Alex Face has also collaborated with high-profile brands like COACH and Mercedes Benz.

Bangkok-based MUEBON (real name: classified) is renowned for biting social commentary on subjects spanning from wealth disparity to environmental activism to the pervasive influence of contemporary media — messages he delivers via his rotating cast of colorful characters, including a flightless cartoon bird named PUKRUK and Mr. TV, possessor of a television screen face. MUEBON is perhaps most synonymous with his Mickey Mouse-inspired skull stickers and wheatpastes, memento mori urging viewers to expel their feelings of anger, frustration and hopelessness in favor of embracing acceptance and finding inner peace.

A product of the first generation of Thai street artists, MUEBON has played a pivotal role in propelling the craft to notoriety and respect across his homeland — and beyond. Raised in the slums of Thonburi, MUEBON (an alias translating to “fidgety hands”) grew up obsessed with Japanese manga. He began his graffiti art career as a teen, often painting under the cover of darkness to avoid the local police, and defied the odds to earn a fine arts degree, in 2005 graduating with honors from the Rajamangala Institute of Technology. While street art remains MUEBON’s passion, he also has exhibited paintings and sculptures in galleries across Southeast Asia, Australia, Japan and Moscow, and in 2018 he partnered with luxury label Hermès.

‘'For over 10 years I’ve seen both MUEBON and Alex Face paint tirelessly on the streets, day in and day out, with incredibly recognizable styles,” said Chris Bowden, co-founder of Souled Out Studios. “Both artists don’t just have borderless skill with a spray can, but also with oils, watercolor, sculpture and print, making their translation into the gallery seamless.”

Alex Face and MUEBON
Mythical Creatures
August 10-31, 2019
Opening reception with artists, Saturday, August 10^th, 6:00-9:00pm
Vertical Gallery, 1016 N. Western Ave., Chicago