You are here

Joseph Renda Jr., Vertical Gallery Explore the Surreal World with ‘Biophilia’

Country:

City:

Categories:

Exhibition Type:

How many artists: 
1

How many exhibition works:

Price Range: 
$250 to
$5500
Date: 
Saturday, 6 June 2020 to Saturday, 27 June 2020
Opening: 
Saturday, 6 June 2020 - 12:00pm to 8:00pm

Vertical Gallery, Chicago’s premier urban-contemporary art 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. Renda will attend a special “Biophilia” opening-day event taking place at Vertical’s 1016 N. Western Ave. location on Saturday, June 6 from noon to 8:00 pm CT. He will return to the gallery for an interactive artist talk scheduled for Saturday, June 20 at 3:00 pm CT.

“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 20th 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
Opening day June 6th, 12:00 – 8:00pm
Vertical Gallery, 1016 N. Western Ave., Chicago

Curator :

Artist ( Description ): 

Joseph Renda Jr (b.1995) is a Chicago-based artist whose paintings capture the inherent connection humans have with the natural world. His work is highly realistic, bringing detailed depictions to life by juxtaposing them alongside surrealistic imagery. He urges his audience to surrender to nature’s “pull” and connect with their roots while viewing his paintings.

Inspired by leaders in surrealism including Salvador Dali and Rene Magritte, Renda often depicts the human form interwoven with illusive natural elements. His use of classical oil painting methods combined with modern mediums, such as spray paint, provide his work with a distinct combination of old and new artistic techniques. Some of his pieces are transferred to large scale outdoor murals, placing his work alongside its most significant inspiration—the outside world.

Renda earned a Bachelor of Fine Arts specializing in oil painting from the American Academy of Art.

Telephone: 
7736973846
Venue ( Address ): 

1016 N. Western Ave.
Chicago, IL 60622

Vertical Gallery , Chicago

Other events from Vertical Gallery

view
Bianca Pastel ‘the desire to communicate vs. the desire to hide'
02/02/2024 to 02/24/2024
view
2CHOEY "Sorry I can't talk right now"
07/08/2023 to 07/29/2023
view
Sergio Farfan "Five Years"
11/06/2021 to 11/24/2021
view
Louis Masai "MEAT my Friends"
05/01/2021 to 05/22/2021

Pages

 

Related Shows This Week

view
Artists on the Bowery Part 5: Berthot, Diao, Hammond, Nevelson, Quaytman, Yamaoka
03/14/2024 to 05/11/2024
view
The Past is Now
02/02/2024 to 04/13/2024
view
GODDESSES, AMAZONS, and MOTHERS | A Celebration of Female Creativity | Group Exhibition
03/08/2024 to 04/12/2024
view
Best Software Training Institute In Chennai
03/29/2023 to 03/31/2026
view
THE FUTURE OF THE FIGURE: Laguna College of Art + Design BFA Candidates in Drawing + Painting
03/28/2024 to 03/31/2024
view
„APA- interferențe culturale”
03/20/2024 to 05/20/2024
view
Tomas Watson: Transitions
03/06/2024 to 04/13/2024
view
In the Belly of the Valley
03/14/2024 to 04/13/2024

Pages