News

Vertical Gallery is proud to present “Editions,” our fourth solo exhibition spotlighting Chicago-born artist Hebru Brantley. Running from August 8–29, 2020, “Editions” opens Saturday, August 8, 11:00 am to 6:00 pm.

We have a special print release on opening day. There are five LILAC color variations available in person only on Saturday, August 8th beginning at 11am. LILAC - Pink, Purple, Turquoise, and Blue are each an edition of 15. There is also a limited Ghost variant in an edition of 5.

Limit of one print per person (not one of each color, one of the editioned prints total). Payment by credit card only and have a photo ID that matches the credit card.

If anyone plans on lining up in advance, there is no holding space in line for more people - they will need to get at the back of the line when they arrive.

Due to current Illinois COVID-19 guidelines, face masks are required for entry to the gallery and we will be limiting occupancy to 8 people at a time to maintain social distancing. We ask everyone to maintain a distance of 6 feet while lining up.

Hebru will not be at the gallery on opening day.

Here are the images of the new prints: 

Hebru Brantley "LILAC - Pink"

Hebru Brantley "LILAC - Purple"

Hebru Brantley "LILAC - Turquoise"

Hebru Brantley "LILAC - Blue"

Hebru Brantley "LILAC - Ghost"

Email us at sales@verticalgallery.com if you have any questions.

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.