Surface is Only a Material Vehicle for Spirit: Kavi Gupta | 219 N. Elizabeth St. Floor 2, Chicago, IL, 60607
53.3 x 38.1 x 6.3 cm
Kavi Gupta presents Surface is Only a Material Vehicle for Spirit, a group exhibition spotlighting the work of eight dynamic voices within the field of contemporary abstraction, guest curated by artist Kennedy Yanko.
Is there a metaphysical side to materiality? Sculptor Kennedy Yanko’s curatorial debut with Kavi Gupta explores the complex perceptual relationships that exist between the surface realities of aesthetic phe-nomena, and the illusions and transcendental insights experienced by artists and viewers of the work.
“What is the disconnect between our innate knowing-ness and our optic interpretations of the world around us?” Yanko asks. “I am presented with something seemingly concrete in front of me only to find it is soft and supple. What happens inside me as my brain tries to understand and recalibrate itself? That dissonance is the conduit to a greater understanding—the disrup-tion to our seeming truth that evokes consciousness.”
Inspired by the writings of abstract artist Jack Whitten (1939 — 2018), the title of this exhibition spotlights the complications that arise when when we try distinguish-ing what is superficial from the truths that lie beyond first impressions.
Whitten considered his paintings to be structured manifestations of his feelings—maps of his soul. While each artist in this exhibition mobilizes a unique visual strategy in their work, each also offers a distinctively personal elucidation of Whitten’s belief that artists are experts at using material realities to convey the unseen depths of spirit.
Surface is Only a Material Vehicle for Spirit features a new, site-specific installation by Katie Bell and works by Pamela Council, Alexandre Diop, Gracelee Lawrence, Charles Mason III, Monica Rezman, Jessica Stoller, and Chiffon Thomas.
Opening reception: Saturday, September 25, 2021, from 5 - 8 PM.
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Katie BellLine of Play, 2021Laminate, acrylic, wood, aluminum, rubber, drywall, solid surface, plexiglass, and cue balls111 x 200 x 112 in
281.9 x 508 x 284.5 cm -
Jessica StollerUntitled (close up #1), 2019Porcelain, glaze, china paint, wood21 x 15 x 2 1/2 in
53.3 x 38.1 x 6.3 cm -
Jessica StollerUntitled (close up #2), 2019Porcelain, glaze, china paint, lustre, wood19 x 14 1/4 x 2 in
48.3 x 36.2 x 5.1 cm -
Jessica StollerUntitled (fringe), 2019Porcelain, china paint, lustre13 1/2 x 8 x 4 1/2 in
34.3 x 20.3 x 11.4 cm -
Jessica StollerUntitled (tassel), 2014Porcelain, china paint, lustre13 1/2 x 8 x 4 1/2 in
34.3 x 20.3 x 11.4 cm -
Jessica StollerUntitled (weave), 2015Porcelain, china paint, lustre12 x 5 x 6 in
30.5 x 12.7 x 15.2 cm -
Pamela CouncilRelief 11, 2019Silicone tiles on wood panel with metal frame18 x 18 x 2 1/2 in
45.7 x 45.7 x 6.3 cm -
Pamela CouncilRelief 12, 2019Silicone tiles on wood panel with metal frame18 x 18 x 2 1/2 in
45.7 x 45.7 x 6.3 cm -
Pamela CouncilRelief 15, 2019Silicone tiles on wood panel with metal frame18 x 18 x 2 1/2 in
45.7 x 45.7 x 6.3 cm -
Chiffon ThomasA subaltern’s attempt to speak, 2021Foam, rigid plastic urethane, concrete, paint, charcoal, saw dust, milk crate45 x 23 x 33 in
114.3 x 58.4 x 83.8 cm -
Chiffon ThomasReturning to a former self (reinstatement), 2021Foam, rigid plastic urethane, concrete, paint, charcoal, saw dust, milk crate
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Gracelee LawrenceAn Acute Sense of Physical Famine, 2019Fiberglass, resin, 3D printed polylactic acid, paint70 x 37 x 15 in
177.8 x 94 x 38.1 cm -
Gracelee LawrenceThe damp of various mouths on her neck, 2021Fiberglass, resin, 3D printed polylactic acid, paint32 x 30 x 16 in
81.3 x 76.2 x 40.6 cm -
Monica RezmanBlack Passageways, 2021Canvas, Burlap, Cardboard, Acrylic16 x 28 x 15 in
40.6 x 71.1 x 38.1 cm -
Monica RezmanSummer Sun, 2021Canvas, Cardboard, Acyrlic
33 x 30 x 24 in
83.8 x 76.2 x 61 cm -
Alexandre DiopA World without Children will rot, 2021-22Mixed media on wood, Old furniture parts, fabric, latex, glitter, rubber bands, staples, string, wire, nails, tacks, found metal, leather, pastel, canvas, wood chips, wicker, found paper, oil, and acrylic on wood78 3/4 x 70 7/8 in
200 x 180 cm -
Charles Mason IIIKept thinking about tears, figuring out why I hadn't cried, 2021House paint, paper, acrylic, tape, spackle, oil stick75 x 120 x 72 in
190.5 x 304.8 x 182.9 cm -
Charles Mason IIIStay patient (a moment of pause), 2021Acrylic, paper, tape, oil stick30 x 23 in
76.2 x 58.4 cm -
Charles Mason IIIstill here* (surprised), 2021Acrylic, canvas, oil, paper, oil stick30 x 23 in
76.2 x 58.4 cm -
Charles Mason IIIwe look outside, we see (they look outside and don't see us), 2021Oil stick, ink, pastel, paper50 x 38 in
127 x 96.5 cm
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Kennedy Yanko | To Paint Is To Love, To Love Is To Scrap Metal
Nate Rynaski, Flaunt, August 30, 2021 -
Inside the Studio Where Artist Kennedy Yanko Creates Her Surreal Sculptures
Akili King, Vogue, July 11, 2021 -
Gracelee Lawrence on Striking the Right Balance
The Creative Independent, June 21, 2021 -
‘My Whole Body Is Moving With It’: Artist Kennedy Yanko on the Performative Nature of Making Sculpture
Katie White, Artnet News, June 16, 2021 -
Chiffon Thomas - Vacant Magazine
Lui Val, VACANT, May 18, 2021 -
Kennedy Yanko’s Sculptures Are a Certain Kind of Woman
Ella Huzenis, Interview Magazine, October 16, 2020 -
Studio Visit: Artist Katie Bell Is Making Sculptures From Cast-Off Remnants and Walking Through a Subdued Times Square
artnet news, September 30, 2020 -
Katie Bell
Brooke Leboeuf, Sculpture, August 18, 2020 -
JESSICA STOLLER MAKES PORCELAIN VISIONS OF THE REBELLIOUS FEMALE BODY
JANE URSULA HARRIS, Cultured, August 10, 2020 -
Pamela Council finds inspiration in Flo-Jo, Venus Williams and others
LaParis Hawkins, ESPN, February 13, 2018 -
Monica Rezman — Exploring the Formal Qualities of Hair
Philip A Hartigan, Hyperallergic, January 23, 2014
