INSTINCT
Vertical Gallery is proud to present their first exhibition of 2019 titled INSTINCT, featuring Adonna Khare (US), Hama Woods (NO), Dzia (BE), ShadowMonsterBear (US), Sweler (AU), and Ava Grey/Czr Prz (US). Throughout art history, animals have served as inspiration for emotions, conflict, environmental issues, personal experiences, and more. All six of these artists incorporate animals in their work, and are exhibiting at Vertical for the first time. The show runs February 2 – 23, with an opening reception on Saturday, February 2nd, 6-9pm.
Sweler is an artist based in Melbourne, Australia who at an early age was influenced and involved in the Street Graffiti scene. After moving to London in 2001 he spent ten years developing his style and working as a freelance artist. Having a small break from painting, Sweler moved back to Melbourne where he is again developing his craft. Today his art is character and creature based. He paints characters that at first glance seem pleasant but a darker side resides beneath the surface.
DZIA is a Belgian street and urban artist known for his animal murals composed of bold abstract and geometric lines. Born and raised in the city of Antwerp, Belgium, DZIA is classically trained with a masters in fine art at the Royal Academy in his hometown. DZIA works across a variety of media that ranges from stencils, painting, sculpture and taxidermy through to street art and graffiti, typically depicting wild animals.
Hama Woods is a stencil artist, based in Oslo, Norway. Her work reflects the sociological approach to greed and consumption, and its direct effect on our natural environment. Her hope is to empower and challenge viewers to come to their own conclusions and to rethink the choices they make which effect today and tomorrow.
Los Angeles based artist ShadowMonsterBear looks at animals, the reflections of their spirits on ours, and their impact - metaphorical and physical - on our daily lives. ShadowMonsterBear engages in, and shares this reflection and analysis through drawing, painting, digital media, and murals. Dismayed by the lack of wildlife in the city, ShadowMonsterBear is constantly disappearing into the wilderness in search of creative inspiration.
Adonna Khare is a Los Angeles based artist focused on carbon pencil on paper drawings. Born in a small town in Iowa, she went on to receive her Masters of Fine Art from California State University Long Beach. She creates animals in absurd situations using pencil, an eraser and a sock as her tools. The drawings are never pre-planned, rather they evolve organically through her experiences.
Ava Grey / Czr Prz is an artist duo comprised of Caesar Perez and Nick Glazebrook – a partnership that seamlessly weaves their individual vision and talents. Fueled by a mutual desire to create intricate works of art featuring a range of materials, they're constantly evolving their techniques to create sculptures iconic to their own style.
INSTINCT
February 2 – 23, 2019
Opening reception, Saturday, February 2nd, 6:00 – 9:00 pm.
Vertical Gallery, 1016 N Western Ave., Chicago
Opening reception generously sponsored by:
