Paintings by Charles Gniech acquired for the Fine Art Collection of Purdue University

Charles Gniech "Inner Circle" 1996, acrylic on canvas, 48 x 60"

Purdue University - Northwest/NorthCentral in Westville, Indiana—has recently acquired a number of my large-scale paintings for their eclectic and edgy contemporary Fine Art Collection. Eight canvases were chosen from three bodies of work—spanning more than twenty years. Five of the selected pieces come from the “Sanctuary” series of 1996-97.

There are more than four hundred stone circles found throughout Great Britain. The Sanctuary series was inspired by my time spent exploring some of these monuments. The prehistoric structures became a bit of an obsession during that period of my life. I would travel to the UK two or three times each year... spend a few days in London and then hop a train to—what seemed like—the middle of nowhere. Some of the sites were relatively easy to come upon while others were so far removed from civilization that I would find myself on top of a mountain or in a secluded meadow, only to be visited by an occasional herd of sheep. There was a feeling of peace and tranquility at many of these locations—something more than the power of the beautiful surroundings on which the structures were erected. The body of work titled "Sanctuary" was the result of these experiences. And the people that I met were life changing.

I define the paintings produced during the late 90s as “Structural Abstraction.” Although I would render realistic depictions of the structures on location, they were reinterpreted in my studio with exaggerated angles and dramatic lighting. The monuments were translated through planar analysis resulting in faceted structures of mass within dramatic landscapes.

Charles Gniech "Geometric Sarsens" 1996, acrylic on canvas, 60 x 48" 

As of April 2018, the “Sanctuary” paintings will be presented at Purdue University - Northwest /North Central Campus’ in Westville, Indiana. The collection can be seen scattered throughout the two campuses. I’ve been told that the presentation looks nothing like a typical “Corporate Fine Art Collection.”

ZIA Gallery celebrates its first anniversary

In Winnetka—on Chicago's Northshore—there is a wonderful storefront gallery that opened its doors about a year ago. Marking this anniversary, ZIA Gallery will be presenting an exhibition comprised of the ZIA Gallery Artists. The work ranges from the self-analytical photography of Maggie Meiners, and the hyper-real bridge paintings of Roland Kulla to the highly conceptual, meditative surface paintings, which I’ve been producing for the past two decades. The Reception for this group exhibition will take place on Friday, July 29 from 5-7:30pm. Information follows… I hope that you’re able to attend.

ZIA|Gallery celebrates its first anniversary
with a Group Exhibition showcasing all of its artists.

The creative impulse is fundamental to being human. Compelling art engages the mind and spirit. From an intuitive process to a deliberate, analytical approach and every combination in between, ZIA’s artists bring their diverse expressions to life. Come see the strength and individuality inherent in their artwork.

The exhibition includes work by: Mary Burke, Clyde Butcher, Michael Cutlip, Marc Dimov, Rick Dula, Holly Farrell, Charles Gniech, Karina Noel Hean, Anne Hughes, Bob Krist, Deanna Krueger, Roland Kulla, Maggie Meiners, Julie Meridian, Josh Moulton, John Musgrove, Matt Schofield, John Vlahakis, Kathy Weaver, Carl Wilen, and Beverly Zawitkoski

The public is invited to attend the opening reception July 29, 5–7:30. A number of our artists will be in attendance pleased to welcome you and answer any questions while you take in their works and enjoy a beverage and delicious, appetizers. The exhibition runs Friday, July 29 through August 31, 2011.

Group Exhibition of ZIA|Gallery Artists
Opening Reception: July 29, 5pm - 7:30pm.

ZIA Gallery
548 Chestnut St. Winnetka, IL 60093
847-446-3970
ziagallery.net

Image: Charles Gniech, Meditation II, 48 x 36"

George Billis Gallery at Art Chicago

April 29 - May 2, 2011, Opening Preview April 28
The Merchandise Mart, 12th Floor

The George Billis Gallery [New York and LA] will be representing my work, this year, at Art Chicago. Art Chicago, the annual international fair of contemporary and modern art, brings together the world's leading emerging and established galleries. Art Chicago offers curators, collectors, artists and art enthusiasts a comprehensive survey of current and historic work, from cutting-edge to modern masters in a wide variety of media including: painting, photography, drawings, prints, sculpture, video and special installations.

The show runs through Monday, May 2. Tickets are valid for Art Chicago, NEXT, and the Merchandise Mart International Antiques Fair. Adults: $20 daily or $25 multi-day pass... Seniors, Students or Groups: $15 multi-day pass, Children 12 and under are free. It's an amazing event... wear comfortable shoes!

Image: Charles Gniech, "Quiet Surface I", 24" x 24", acrylic on canvas
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Sheridan Road ~ ZIA Gallery

It’s always nice to receive recognition for the work you create as an artist. About a month ago, Maggie Meiners, Deanna Krueger and myself met with writer, Laura M. Browning and photographer, Jim Prisching at the ZIA gallery to discus our upcoming exhibition. Browning and Prisching work for Sheridan Road Magazine and were meeting with us to learn about “Reflections” the three-person exhibition presented at ZIA Gallery through March 19th.

The wonderfully written single-page article—complete with color images—gives a little insight into our individual bodies of work and concludes by pointing out that each of us is actually just attempting to find peace within the chaos of modern life. Browning concludes the article by pointing out, “…Each artist’s work is about fragmentation and about reflection, about giving something back to its audience.” The article is beautifully written and the portrait by Prisching is wonderful. Images from the exhibition are available at ZIAgallery.net
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ZIA Gallery ~ The Missed Reception

It’s highly unusual that I don’t make it to the opening reception of a local exhibition that includes my own work. In fact, I think that this was a first.

Last Friday, ZIA Gallery in Winnetka, opened a three-person exhibition titled “Reflections”, which presented my acrylic paintings along side of the photographic imagery of Maggie Meiners and the mixed media pieces of Deanna Krueger. Painfully, a respiratory infection kept me in bed. Feeling miserable, I knew that there was no way to attend the event. Waiting until the last minute—hoping that I might feel better, I made a call to the gallery and my apologetic words came out sounding a bit like a toad… they understood.

The following day, I received a few calls from supporters concerned at my absence. I was told that the reception was well attended and that the exhibition looked great. So today—a week later and feeling a bit better—I headed up to ZIA Gallery to experience the show for myself. I was pleased. Anne Hough, the Gallery Manager, did a wonderful job presenting the work. We chatted for a bit and discussed the variety of press that the show received. I’ll be sharing some of that in future posts.

If you have an opportunity to head up to the north shore of Chicago, visit ZIA Gallery at 548 Chestnut. The show continues through March 19th.
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The Art of Human Rights - Save the Date

On February 25, 2011 the Junior Board of Heartland Alliance, will host "The Art of Human Rights" (formerly Art Against AIDS), at the Gruen Galleries, located in the heart of Chicago's River North gallery district at 226 West Superior. The event will feature live and silent fine art auctions. This after-work cocktail party boasts a variety of mediums by artists from all over the country. Above is the piece I donated this year. It is a mixed media piece titled "Monument 2" from 1992. It measures 5.5 inches square and is framed roughly 16 x 22.

Proceeds from the event will help Heartland Alliance provide housing, healthcare, economic security, and legal protections services to more than 200,000 people whose lives are threatened by poverty and danger, including those living with HIV/AIDS.

You can find more information on the event at: heartlandalliance.org
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Zia Gallery February 4 - March 19

Earlier, this fall, I was asked to join the Zia Gallery in Winnetka. The gallery—located at 548 Chestnut—is managed by Anne Hughes. Last week, Hughes organized a photo-shoot with local press for our upcoming three-person exhibition with the working titled, "Meditative Reflection" or simply, "Reflection". A segment from the press release follows.

From February 4 - March 19, 2011, ZIA Gallery will be featuring a three-person exhibition of works by Charles Gniech, Deanna Krueger, and Maggie Meiners. Each artist employs a different process and medium to develop bodies of work which involve reflection. Meiners' photographs depict direct, symbolic constructs of self, while Gniech uses both the process of painting and his abstracted interpretations of previously human-interpreted natural forms to evoke meditation. Deanna Krueger combines a high-tech, medical diagnostic film with a hands-on, seemingly crude manipulation of materials to arrive at a sophisticated, shimmering reconstruction.

Opening Reception: Friday, February 4, 5-7:30pm.

ZIA Gallery is located at 548 Chestnut Street in Winnetka, Illinois. Additional information regarding this and other upcoming exhibitions can be found at: ziagallery.net The gallery is open Monday through Saturday from 10-5.

"Ripple..." comes to a close

A few weeks back, I was contacted by Philip Hartigan, artist and faculty member at Columbia College in Chicago. Hartigan—born in the UK and now living in Chicago—asked me if I would consider meeting to conduct an interview related to my work and the three-person exhibition currently on view at The Art Center in Highland Park. Well... the interview was posted this morning on Hartigan's blog and it's worth a read.

As a reminder, "Ripple ~ Cause and Effect" at The Art Center in Highland Park will close on July 22nd. The exhibition—and the exhibition space— is wonderful. The three-person show includes sculpture by Paula Kloczkowski Luberda, and paintings by Yelena Klairmont and myself. The work flows together seamlessly. If you're in the area, take a quick trip to the Center... it will be worth the visit.

Opening Reception: Friday, July 2nd ...6:30-9pm

I spent most of the day—yesterday—transporting my pieces and installing the "Ripple~cause and effect" exhibition, which opens this Friday evening at The Art Center in Highland Park. The exhibition combines the work of Paula Kloczkowski Luberda, Yelena Klairmont and myself, to present a seamless presentation of the calm and chaos of nature. The work ranges from abstract to literal with both painting and sculpture. The Art Center is an amazing venue for this beautiful and thought provoking exhibition.

The Art Center in Highland Park is located at 1957 Sheridan Road. For additional information, contact The Art Center at 847.432.1888. I hope that you have an opportunity to experience this amazing collection of work.

The Art Center - Highland Park, Illinois

Some twenty years ago—after I graduated from school—I was trying to find ways of feeding myself as well as feeding my soul. I was working as a print designer yet wanted to continue painting and teaching. I ended up working a number of part time teaching positions, including one for The Suburban Fine Art Center in Highland Park. Well, over the years, the Center constructed a new space a few block from the original space, and they shortened their name to "The Art Center".

Earlier this week, I took a drive up to Highland Park. I hadn't been there in years. I wanted to check out the new space, since I—along with Paula Kloczkowski Luberda and Yelena Klairmont—have landed a show in the center's amazing main gallery. The three person show is titled "Ripple – cause and effect". It's a powerfully inspirational exhibition of painting and sculpture, presenting imagery focused of the meditative surface patterns found within nature. The works of Yelena Klairmont, Paula Kloczkowski Luberda, and myself have been compiled to create this peacefully, compelling exhibition.

The oil paintings of Yelena Klairmont are the most literal of the group. Klairmont captures the result of a compromised pool of water—portraying the ripple effect as a beautiful thought-provoking moment in time.

Paula Kloczkowski Luberda creates powerful stoneware rock forms with intriguing surface features. The wonderfully glaze-washed forms are manipulated and organized to create intriguing compositions in space.

Influenced—for more then a decade—by the hundreds of the pre-historic stone circles throughout Great Britain, my work uses the surface patterns of the Megaliths to create meditative imagery on which to ponder.

“Ripple – cause and effect” will be presented at The Art Center of Highland Park from July 2 through the 23th. An Opening Reception will be held on July 2 beginning at 6:30pm. The Art Center in Highland Park is located at 1957 Sheridan Road. For additional information, contact The Art Center at: 847.432.1888 or check the web site at: www.theartcenterhp.org

Ripple – Cause and Effect

Save the date for "Ripple: Cause and Effect" ...Friday, July 2nd 6:30-9pm

This is a powerfully inspirational exhibition of painting and sculpture, presenting imagery focused of the meditative surface patterns found within nature. The works of Yelena Klairmont, Paula Kloczkowski Luberda, and and myself have been compiled to create this peacefully, compelling exhibition.

The oil paintings of Yelena Klairmont are the most literal of the group. Klairmont captures the result of a compromised pool of water—portraying the ripple effect as a beautiful thought-provoking moment in time.

Paula Kloczkowski Luberda creates powerful stoneware rock forms with intriguing surface features. The wonderfully glaze-washed forms are manipulated and organized to create intriguing compositions in space.

Influenced—for more then a decade—by the hundreds of the pre-historic stone circles throughout Great Britain, my work uses the surface patterns of the Megaliths to create meditative imagery on which to ponder.

“Ripple – cause and effect” will be presented at The Art Center of Highland Park from July 2 through the 22nd. An Opening Reception will be held on July 2 beginning at 6:30pm. The Art Center in Highland Park is located at 1957 Sheridan Road and is open Monday through Thursday from 9-4:30, Friday 9-3 and Saturday 9-4:30. For additional information, contact the center at 847.432.1888.

Image: Charles Gniech "Quiet Wisdom" 40 x 40"

Textural Monument

Yesterday, I took a short trip down to St. John, Indiana to drop off a few paintings at the Steeple Gallery. The gallery began handling my work a couple of years ago. It’s a hidden gem… the four thousand square foot space is devoted specifically to original fine art and prints.

A few months back, the owner of the Steeple Gallery stopped by my studio to select some pieces. During that visit, she noticed a painting, which was the genesis of my current work. It was a piece that I never had intended to show or sell… but a number of people—who have visited my studio—have expressed interest. Well, in a recent telephone conversation, Sam asked if it was available and if I were willing to part with it. I agreed.


If you are in the area, check out the Steeple Gallery located at: 11107 Thiel Street, St. John, Indiana 46373 or contact Sam at: 219.365.1014

Above: “Textural Monument”, acrylic on canvas, 36 x 36”, $2,000

The Cape

In the late eighties, I was working on a series of paintings that were truly abstract portraits. They were inspired by the people in my life at that time. I had just begun Graduate School and was sharing an off-campus apartment with an actor. I got to know many of the people working in the theater department and was invited to attend numerous events and performances. One of the performances was a show that included a spanish-influenced dance with a cape. It clearly made some sort of impression on me for the image ended up as a lithographic print as well as a canvas. The subject of the painting ended up with a very public career in the Chicago news media.

Additional work from this series—and more recent works—can be found at gniech.com

Above: "The Cape", oil on canvas, 72 x 50", 1989

Bitch...

Last week, I was contacted by one of my dealers who happens to be interested in pieces which I created during the late 1980's. She was looking for some new works—similar to pieces already in her possession. This request pushed me to explore the layers of paintings leaning against the walls of my studio. I spent hours going through the inventory of work, finding that I have kept many pieces, which reflect the various periods of my creative life. It's intriguing to look back at the progression of work. And it's funny that pulling them out of storage should have such an intense emotional affect. Revisiting them is like seeing old friends that you haven't seen in awhile.

The Image above—titled "Bitch"—is from a body of work called "Uniforms". This series was a symbolic exploration of abstract portraiture. As mentioned in earlier posts... the Uniform series explores the idea that we are constantly trying to evoke the illusion that our insecurities are non-existent. We create protective barriers—or uniforms—to deter invaders from the space within ourselves. The images use structural abstraction to symbolize these uniforms, which are observed in the attitudes, personalities and relationships people develop as a source of protection. Additional work from this series can be found at gniech.com.

Above: "Bitch" Oil on Canvas, 72" x 50" 1989

Save the Date... Friday, February 19

The Art of Human Rights
Benefiting Heartland Alliance
Friday, February 19th at the River East Art Center in Chicago

I've been working with Heartland Alliance—for the past few years—on their annual "Art Against AIDS" benefit—now "The Art of Human Rights". I act as one of the jurors for the live auction, donate one of my pieces in support of Heartland's efforts, and host the Preview Exhibition at Gallery 180 of The Illinois Institute of Art-Chicago. The 180 show is a small selection of the works donated to the event by some very generous Fine Artists from around the country.

This year, I have donated a copy of "Attorney" [shown above], a two-color hand pulled lithograph that I created in the late 80's. It is one of an edition of fifteen, each valued at $550. From the abstract series titled "Uniforms", the work explores the idea that we are constantly trying to evoke the illusion that our insecurities are non-existent. We create protective barriers—or uniforms—to deter invaders from the space within ourselves. The images use structural abstraction to symbolize these uniforms, which are observed in the attitudes, personalities and relationships people develop as a source of protection. Additional work from this series can be found at gniech.com.

I hope you will join me at the Heartland event. All proceeds from the purchase of work at "The Art of Human Rights" event will go directly to Heartland Alliance to fund their HIV/AIDS programs and services, which include: primary care, referrals, assistance with transportation and lab costs, housing, alternative therapies such as chiropractic treatment and massage therapy, HIV prevention education, and oral health care. "The Art of Human Rights" benefit will take place on February 19th at the River East Art Center in Chicago. Additional information on the event can be found at: artofhumanrights.com.

Image: Charles Gniech, Attorney, hand-pulled, two-color lithograph, 1989, ed of 15, 12x17 framed to 18x24

Blue Stone...

Charles Gniech, Blue Stone, 36" x 15", acrylic on canvas, 2006

In many cases—when I'm exploring new technique—I work on smaller canvases like the image above from 2006. Creating these painted "sketches" allows me an opportunity to make adjustments to my process before moving on to larger surfaces. And sometimes the sketch becomes a finished piece in itself. Blue Stone is such a piece. Additional work from this series can be seen at gniech.com


Detail: Blue Stone, 36" x 15", acrylic on canvas, 2006

Moving Thoughts

The above image, titled "Moving Thoughts", measures 36 x 48" and was created with acrylic on canvas. This piece comes from a slightly earlier body of work, but has the same basic surface imagery as some of my recent posts. Created in 2006, it was also shown at the North Central Exhibition this past summer. The color departure for this piece was an exploration in vibrancy. The warm tones mimic that of rare metal surging through prehistoric rock and creating vein-like patterns. Additional pieces can be found at gniech.com

Image: Charles Gniech, "Moving Thoughts", 36 x 48" acrylic on canvas, 2006

Surface Verte

Also from the "Surface" series, this painting—titled "Surface Verte"—was created after spending some time in Paris this summer. The lush green tones of the beautiful parisian parks were the inspiration. The canvas, 24 x 48", is acrylic on canvas and was first presented this past summer in a three-person exhibition at the Schoenherr Art Gallery of North Central College in Naperville, Illinois. The show was titled "Meditative Surfaces" and included work by Maggie Meiners and Deanna Krueger. Additional pieces of my work can be found at gniech.com

Quiet Surface

The above piece is titled "Quiet Surface" from 2009. It is acrylic on canvas and measures 24" square. The genesis of this body of work stems back—more than fifteen years—to when I was obsessed with the various stone circles of Great Britain. At that time, I had the opportunity to travel to Britain a couple of times each year, spend a few days in London, and then head out to the countryside with little more then a duffel bag and a sketchbook. There are more then 430 prehistoric stone circles in Great Britain, and at that time, I was only able visit a handful during each adventure.

I find it interesting that the visits to those sites continues to effect the production of my imagery even today. I plan to use this blog to tell the stories of my adventures and to present the work which continues to be produced as a response to of those experiences.

Meditation III

From a body of work titled "Surface Paintings" from 2009

My exploration of the meditative surface patterns—influenced by various prehistoric monoliths—continues with a series of works comprised of mostly neutral color tones. The color shift is based on observations in nature, which seems to relax the human psyche. Additional work from this series can be found at gniech.com

Image: Charles Gniech, Meditation III, 48" x 36", acrylic on canvas, 2009