Michael Van Zeyl ~ Gallery 180

Michael Van Zeyl, Still Life [Flowers], 16 x 18", oil on panel, 2013

On Friday, March 15th, Gallery 180 of The Illinois Institute of Art-Chicago will host a catered reception for an exhibition presenting the formal figure and still life paintings of Michael Van Zeyl. Van Zeyl's paintings will be exhibited along side of the abstract sculptural vessels of Paula Kloczkowski Luberda.

The classical imagery of Michael Van Zeyl explores the human form as well as traditional still life. The subjects are rendered within a painterly atmosphere—where light defines form—to create compositions of classic mastery. In discussing his work, VanZeyl explains:

I create art because I am truly fascinated by the process of transforming a flat, blank canvas into the illusion of dimensional form, atmosphere and mood. I consider the theme of my work to be the rhythmic flow of natural light and the poetic use of edges to transform oil paint into my version of visual perception and taste. I look to my daily life for inspiration and am attracted to subjects with an elegant, classic or simple beauty. To keep my work fresh and evolving I enjoy organizing a multitude of painting explorations. The greatest reward for me is when viewers emotionally respond with my artwork and are visually stimulated.

The work of Michael Van Zeyl and Paula Kloczkowski Luberda will be presented at Gallery 180 of The Illinois Institute of Art-Chicago through May 2, 2013. Previews begin on March 4th. An Opening Reception will take place on Friday, March 15 from 5:30-7:30 pm. All works are available for purchase. Gallery 180 is located at 180 N. Wabash—at the corner of Lake and Wabash—in Chicago’s Loop. The gallery is open Monday through Thursday from 8am-8pm, Friday 8am-5:30pm and Saturday 9am-5pm. Additional information can be found at gallery180.com.

Michael Van Zeyl, Nature's Touch [Detail], 20 x 30", oil on linen, 2012

By the time he was seven years old, Michael Van Zeyl had declared he was going to be an artist. He attended art school and then continued to paint on the side while working as a graphic designer. In 2005, after a successful career in graphic design, he decided to follow his passion and become a full-time painter. Notable for their “old world” romanticism, Michael’s work includes still life and portraits that are highly formalized using traditional oil techniques. This style, which was once considered commonplace, is today what makes him unique. His paintings stand in stark contrast to the abstract and conceptual art that we’ve come to expect. His work will fill you with sense of nostalgia for a time you never knew, but truly wish you had.

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