Morpho Gallery Presents…
2014 EMA Exhibitions, Best of Show

Opening Reception: October 3rd from 6-9pm
Exhibit runs until October 29th

About the Artists

Mara Goldfine
Like most foundry rats I am obsessed with complex fabrication, casting, and sculpting with metal and silicone. Recently, my work has become much more performative, in a static kinetic manner, interactive rather than wearable. These pieces have a self-sustaining agency within themselves, denying the hand of the artist as creator, while simultaneously affirming it by the clear hand of the artist within the work.

Hannah Manocchio
Manocchio actively works to develop a body of work that sheds light on religious, mythological, and conspiracy themes through history and symbology. Through ancient printmaking techniques she aspires to bring awareness to forgotten taboos and historical folklore and mythology with a new, more modern twist. Underlying personal narratives are constantly apparent in her work.

Khrystyna Kozyuk
An artist should be an observer first. Seeing beauty in everything is an unlimited inspiration source for me. I think that all artwork possesses its own special energy. My emotions splash on the canvas as I paint. For me, painting is not trying to match the reality, copied perfection of nature. It is something unique, individual and communicative between a piece and viewer, through an artist’s mind and hands.

Paige Lunde
My work focuses on hidden structures that shape our experience and behavior. In this way, I layer form with varied structures that juxtapose appearance with thought and language. Within this framework, my images explore the duality hidden in structures. In an attempt to question an authorial position over meaning, my work deals with ideas related to subjective experience, layering of temporal events, and structural mapping.

Chris Wanklyn
My paintings convey my strong belief that paintings need to speak and be representative. I take my inspiration from a DIY cut & past ethic, Photomontage, Propaganda posters from the wars and elements of Social realism and Pop art. I will use an image that interests me for a variety of reasons to distort its context, giving it a new meaning.

Laura LaRue
Although I have taught high school art for 18 years I have only recently discovered encaustics. Captivated by nature and how her moods seem to echo those of human emotions, I imply organic textures with the wax and use it as a vehicle for my drawings and natural objects. My immersion into this versatile medium is in a constant state of flux as I learn new techniques and find inspiration in other encaustic artists work every day.

Mary Lou Novak
I work in a highly-stylized manner using dark outlines around the images. This technique can be found in Japanese paintings and within the American Pop Art tradition. I draw directly on the canvas with charcoal or pen and apply bold, intense color using acrylic paints. A broad selection of books and magazines are used in my research. By positioning the flatly painted images in the midst of a realistic environment, I hope to create a unique balance of oppositional elements.

Christine Ilewski-Huelsmann
My work has always been “personal,” reflecting my experience as a woman, a mother, a wife, a sister, a daughter; a domestic, intimate life. Landscape has almost always been the background to my narratives, but in my most recent work it seems to have become my center…a place of reflection, a still point from which everything else revolves. These landscapes are bubbling up from a subconscious stream, a “river” of monoprints.

Taehoon Kim
My work evokes a place between the subconscious and the evolution of substance. I use modified material and hybrids as a metaphor for amorphous communication and the struggle for psychological interaction, which is associated with circumstances. The exhibition of my work attempts to develop persuasive reflection on the essence of man and his connection with creatures.

Jules Kunhardt
After reading the book “eating animals” by Jonathan Safran Foer, I felt compelled to face up to the issues of factory farming and my daily eating and shopping habits. The result was a one and a half year long painting process on that topic and several shows. If I am able to brisk up just one of my visitors, I am more than grateful.

Ryan Hoevenaar
Born and raised in the Midwest amongst cornfields and derelict farmhouses, I discovered my love for art and design at an early age. The insatiable thirst to create has led me to experiment with a wide variety of mediums and methods. From finger painting to photography, I greatly enjoy what each facet of art and design has to offer.

Morpho Gallery is part of Chicago Artists Month 2014, the 19th annual celebration of Chicago’s vibrant visual art community.

This October, meet Chicago’s artists at 200+ exhibitions, openings, demonstrations, tours, open studios and neighborhood art walks that take place at galleries, cultural centers and arts buildings throughout the city.

Chicago Artists Month is presented by the Chicago Department of Cultural Affairs and Special Events. For more information, visit www.chicagoartistsmonth.org | www.chicagoartistsmonth.org/2014-ema-exhibitions-best-show

About Morpho Gallery
Morpho Gallery is a cultural cornerstone in the Bowmanville/Ravenswood neighborhood; Morpho represents some of the finest works of art that have direct engagement with the Chicagoland community. From artists who teach at Chicago universities, to artists that foster community building through their work in public spaces, Morpho Gallery has strengthen the role of arts in the Chicago community, supporting several other independent spaces dedicated to the arts within the Bowmanville neighborhood.
Dedicated to exhibiting emerging artists and encouraging a collaborative environment, Morpho Gallery is now entering their tenth year.

Morpho Gallery
5216 North Damen Ave.
Chicago, IL 60625

www.morphogallery.com
[email protected]

Hours of operation
Monday-Thursday by Appointment
Friday and Saturday 1-6pm
773-878-4255