The Art of Human Rights at ZIA Gallery, Winnetka

Audry Cramblit, “Paris”, bronze, 7” tall, $1,400.

Save the Date: Thursday, August 30th, 5-8:30

Once again, I've compiled some of the most amazing established area artists into an exhibition to benefit Heartland Alliance for Human Needs & Human Rights. With the support of ZIA Gallery of Winnetka—the location of this satellite event—this group invitational exhibition offers something for everyone.

“The Art of Human Rights” exhibition includes; paintings, drawings, mixed media, photography and sculpture created by twenty-two hand-selected, established fine artists. The commissions from the work sold—priced from $450 to $18,000—will directly benefit the charity. Funds raised through The Art of Human Rights will support the work that Heartland Alliance does to ensure that everyone has a roof over their head, access to health care, the opportunity to earn income to support themselves and their families, and to be treated fairly and with justice.

With a variety of imagery and objects available—whether it is an elegant object to finish a room or a room-defining statement—this exhibition presents amazing pieces of thought-provoking Fine Art.

John Vlahakis, “Sanctum”, photograph, edition of 5, 15” x 15”, $750.

The work of photographer, John Vlahakis, captures the drama and beauty of the natural world. His brilliantly colorful floral images—which are almost abstract—explore light and define a quiet moment in time. Vlahakis points out that… “Visually I am drawn by the color and light that each living organism reflects...”

Roland Kulla, “Ben Franklin II”, acrylic on canvas, ”60 x 36”, $9,500.

Roland Kulla’s work presents hyper-realistic acrylic imagery, defining segments of various bridges. Kulla explains:

“I’ve used bridges as my primary inspiration for the last twenty years. Based in Chicago, I began my exploration with the world’s largest collection of bascule bridges. In 2006, I began to branch out to other “bridge cities” including Boston, New York City, and Pittsburgh. In 2011, I explored the bridges in Berlin, Germany. 

I select certain design elements and eliminate background context in order to emphasize form. What may appear to be a random arrangement of bolts and rivets has, on close inspection, a rigidly patterned logic. Abstracted from their surroundings, the bridges take on new aspects. Some look dangerous, others elegant. The forms are presented in “natural” bridge colors in bold contrast to the voids that they span. They float in light that plays across the surface details. I paint an idealized version of reality on a scale that allows the viewer to enter into the structure and appreciate the monumentality of the form.”

Audry Cramblit, “Paris”, bronze, 7” tall, $1,400.

Audry Cramblit is one of four incredibly talented sculptors included in the exhibition. She presents two bronze figurative sculptures… “Paris” and “The Artist”. Both of these tactile figures are adorned with the layering of contemporary designs, symbols and words, forming a complex surface of information. Through the experimentation of materials, Cramblit has developed techniques as unique and varied as her one-of-a-kind sculptures.

There are twenty-two exhibiting artists in “The Art of Human Rights” exhibition. They are: John Benedetto, Jenny Chi, Frances Cox, Audry Cramblit, Jane Fulton Alt, Sheila Ganch, Charles Gniech, Andrea Harris, Paula Kloczkowski Luberda, Deanna Krueger, Roland Kulla, Richard Laurent, Maggie Meiners, Rebecca Moy, Didier Nolet, Nancy Pirri, Ted Preuss, Nancy Rosen, Lorraine Sack, Jim Tansley, Michael Van Zeyl, and John Vlahakis.

This satalite exhibition of “The Art of Human Rights^®” will be presented at ZIA Gallery, located at 548 Chestnut Street, Winnetka, IL 60093, from August 26 through September 1. A catered reception will take place on Thursday, August 30 from 5-8:30. The exhibition is free and the work sold will benefit Heartland Alliance for Human Needs & Human Rights. The gallery is open from Monday through Saturday from 10-5. Additional information can be found at ziagallery.net or by calling 847.446.3970.

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Carol Luc ~ Vestiges

AM Interlude, oil on canvas, 30 x 24"

A wonderful exhibition opened this past weekend at the Chicago Cultural Center. Located in the Renaissance Court Gallery, Carol Luc presents a series of introspective and thought-provoking paintings and drawings. The show—titled “Vestiges—presents architectural studies exploring segments of environments defined by the light that moves through them. The images reflect a quiet—inspiring—moment in time, the kind of moment when you find yourself daydreaming… staring at dappled light dancing across a window-lit stairway.

In defining the work, Luc’s statement points out that…

“Paradoxically, it is within the nothingness of empty space that the most substance is found. The element of light is filled with a psychological weight that demands the viewer’s attention. In exploring the relationships between light and space, objects and emptiness, the work strives to make the viewer conscious of the links between the material world and the intangible by expressing quiet and reflective emotional states.”

“Vestiges” runs though August 26^th at the Chicago Cultural Center located at 78 East Washington Street in Chicago. Luc will be at the Renaissance Gallery on Wednesday August 1 at 11:30am-12:25pm—to talk about the exhibition. The lecture and exhibition is free. Exhibited work is available for purchase, with only one exception. Visit carolluc.com to see additional work.

Remnant, oil on canvas, 30 x 24"

Tansley and Schiff at Gallery 180

Jim Tansley, “Dialog of Hemispheres”, acrylic on canvas, 48” x 72”

Save the date: Friday, August 3rd... 

Gallery 180 of The Illinois Institute of Art-Chicago will present the colorful abstract paintings of artist, Jim Tansley, along side of the figurative forms of sculptor, Valerie Schiff.  Both Chicago area artists came to fine art later in life… and both explore their media from an instinctual perspective.

Jim Tansley began painting in 2000, after a forty-year career as a graphic designer. His “order from chaos” approach to painting results in the creation of unique abstract imagery that hints at nature and the human form. Tansley explains…

“The paintings have their origins in my fascination with the abstract qualities and rhythms of natural forms. I view the elements of nature (animal, vegetable, mineral) in terms of their relational aspects. There are obvious visual similarities throughout nature. For example, our blood stream and tree sap. Branches and rocks suggest muscles and bones. Tree trunks are reminiscent of the human torso. This interconnectedness of natural form suggests an evolving process of universal development: molecules assembling, vapor forming, new forms arising, life beginning and mutating. These ideas of similar rhythmic and structural forms existing across disparate natural elements, inform my paintings.”

Valerie Schiff, “Venus”, bronze, 27” x 6.5” x 9”

Valerie Schiff also came to fine art later in life. With accolades including numerous awards and multiple “Best in Show” prizes, Schiff’s powerfully emotional figurative forms emerge from an internal and deeply intuitive place. Her materials, bronze or terracotta, are used simply as a vehicle to express an emotional—very human—experience. After carful examination, the soul of the sculpture begins to reveal itself. Schiff explains, “A piece is successful if it has an inner life… It’s thrilling to me if I can capture, in clay, a gesture or a moment in time.”

Schiff defines her process:

“When I begin a new sculpture, I build the forms quickly, my knife slashing through the clay. I leave my surfaces raw, rough, and exposed, so the clay takes on the imperfections of real life. Making art is an internal journey of choices and solutions. I find myself open to how each piece evolves. Art is truly a journey that the artist travels, allowing this mysterious process to occur. Having come to sculpture later in life, my process is still revealing it self to me. It’s internal and deeply intuitive.”

The paintings of Jim Tansley and the sculpture of Valerie Schiff will be presented at Gallery 180 of The Illinois Institute of Art-Chicago through August 30. Previews begin on July 23rd. A public reception will take place on Friday, August 3 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.

Nancy Pirri ~ Contour

Next Saturday, May 5th, Natural Elements Salon will be hosting a reception from 6-9pm for Nancy Pirri as she presents "contour". Pirri has been included in numerous exhibitions, as well as presenting work at the recent "... Art of Human Rights" event to benefit Heartland Alliance. Her figurative sculptures incorporate  beautiful symbolic patinas. Pirri explains:

The theme of my work is about woman’s struggle to find emotional balance. Each one of us is born with strength, compassion, and the incalculable ability to endure, fulfilling complex roles as mother, daughter, sister, friend, lover or wife, where we are called upon continually to put others before ourselves. Add to that society’s expectations, calling for poise and grace, the women I create openly reveal themselves, showing depth, emotion, and even scars from past experiences. Using texture, expression, attitude and gesture, I primarily sculpt in clay, a.k.a. Mother Earth. I employ a variety of deliberate techniques to further enhance a sense of earthiness and antiquity. Random yet controlled applications of colored slips, glazes, and various firings including soda reduction, further enhance these textures, as if you could suddenly unearth them from history.

Nancy Pirri's exhibition continues through June 5th. The Natural Elements Salon is located at 2212 North Lincoln Ave., in Chicago. Check out Pirri's web site at: npgraphx.com and link to her blog for additional updates.


Nancy Pirri was born in Brooklyn, NY, and currently lives in Chicago, IL. She has dabbled in every art form since childhood, discovering clay to be her true passion in 1991. She just finished a solo show titled “Reflection,” in Lafayette, IN, followed by a 3-person show at the Beverly Arts Center in Chicago, IL with Pop Artist, Peter Mars and Urban Artist, Erik DeBat. Pirri received an Honorable Mention award from the Rockford Art Museum for her printmaking on clay work. She exhibits at many different venues including galleries, charity auctions, private homes, and group shows. Nancy Pirri is represented by Studio b in Three Oaks, Michigan.

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Deanna Krueger at ZIA Gallery

Deanna Krueger, "Merope" 36 x 36" acrylic monotype, staples and MRI film

One of my favorite artists, Deanna Krueger, is going to be exhibiting some new work at the ZIA Gallery in Winnetka. The exhibition runs from May 4 through June 16 with an Opening Reception on Friday, May 4 from 5-7:30... so save the date. Deanna Krueger will be presenting her Acrylic monotype-mixed media pieces, along side the Pop-inspired, mixed media works on paper, created by Carl Wilen. It should be a wonderful exhibition.

If you don't know of Krueger's work, she produces powerful mixed media forms created from recycled medical diagnostic film layered with monotypes. The film is torn, repositioned, and then stapled together to create multi-faceted surfaces. These semi-reflective surfaces create a mesmerizing, gem-like appearance. Krueger explains:

I work abstractly at the juncture where sculpture and painting intersect. The resulting pieces are hybrids. The process for my current series begins with recycled medical diagnostic film layered with acrylic monotype prints. The film is then torn apart and the shards are reconnected into new configurations using thousands of staples. The visual aesthetic is at once high-tech and primordial. It evokes a multitude of associations: aquatic life forms, otherworldly geological formations, surreal vegetation, scientific images of the miniscule, visions of the cosmos. I am interested in humanity’s search for meaning in this life, and in the pleasure to be found in the various manifestations of that search.

Don't miss this exhibition. The ZIA Gallery is located at 548 Chestnut Street in Winnetka. Additional information can be found on their web site at ZIAgallery.net
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Charles Gniech & Corinne D. Peterson ~ May 11

Charles Gniech, Detail of “Grounded”, 60 x 40”, acrylic on canvas, 2011

Gallery 180 of The Illinois Institute of Art-Chicago will become a meditative setting of reflection as it presents the intriguingly-intricate paintings of Chicago artist, Charles Gniech, alongside the bold and fascinating sculpture of Corinne D. Peterson. With decades of research between them, the work of these two fine artists focuses on markers of time and transition influenced by the prehistoric stone circles and megaliths found throughout Europe.

Charles Gniech, “Grounded”, 60 x 40”, acrylic on canvas, 2011

Charles Gniech’s work has been influenced by the megalithic stone circles of Great Britain for more then twenty years. This latest body of work explores the meditative qualities of the fluid surface patterns found on many of the monuments. Like that of Agnes Martin and Mark Rothko, the imagery conveys the serene qualities of meditation and inner peace. Gniech explains…

I have spent the past two decades exploring the meditative qualities of the prehistoric stone circles of Great Britain. Britain is littered with more than four hundred and thirty of these prehistoric sites... most people are familiar with Stonehenge, yet there are areas concentrated with megalithic structures as far to the north as the Scottish Islands, and as far to the south and west as Cornwall.

My latest body of work is influenced by the meditative qualities of the fluid surface-patterns found on some of these monuments. I have taken artistic liberties in the replication, manipulation and abstraction of the surface patterns, yet the work continues to convey the serene qualities regularly associated with nature and inner peace.

Corinne D. Peterson “Walled Interior”, 18 x 10 x 10”, stoneware

Corinne D. Peterson's work is also inspired by the architectural structures of ancient Europe. Peterson explains…

...art making is a force for exploring connections: between past and present, between opposing forces of nature, between intellect and subconscious, and between myself and clay.

I draw inspiration from architectural and natural structures, such as the ancient standing stones I’ve seen in France and England. As I sculpt the clay, I attempt to be open to the universal forces behind their existence. I do this in an effort to understand how such forces shape contemporary experience. My sculptures with openings to the inside give me an opportunity to contemplate complexities of interior life in contrast to the outer form.

Nature has always been a primary source of pleasure in my life. Working with clay connects me to my early roots of growing up on a Minnesota farm. Cracks, fissures, scars and pools of glaze are all part of my personal artistic vocabulary. The colors I use come primarily from rocks, leaves, and other bits of nature I’ve collected and studied since childhood. I use layers of color and often fill the cracks with dark tones for a sense of age. I intend for each work to expose the evidence of its own history, much as people reveal an accumulation of their experiences.

The paintings of Charles Gniech and the sculpture of Corinne D. Peterson will be presented at Gallery 180 of The Illinois Institute of Art-Chicago through July 19. Previews begin on May 7th. An Opening Reception will take place on Friday, May 11 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.

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Ken Konchel~ Hardcore Architectural Abstractionist

Above: Ken Konchel, "Interaction"

Last week, Ken Konchel received a wonderful review in the art section of "Newcity". Writer, Michael Weinstein, begins his review defining Konchel as a "Hardcore architectural abstractionist". The review continues with an eloquent description of the compositional choices found within the black and white imagery. Read Weinstein's review in its entirety at: art.newcity.com

The photographic images of Ken Konchel will be presented at Gallery 180 of The Illinois Institute of Art-Chicago through May 3rd. The Gallery is located at 180 N. Wabash in Chicago's Loop. The exhibition is free and all works are available for purchase.

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