Narrative Paintings by Andrea Kaspryk
AnySquared’s Art@Cole’s #28
On Display through March 2016
Cole’s, 2338 N. Milwaukee Avenue in Chicago
Opening Reception
Sunday, January 31 6pm-9pm
AnySquared is excited to relaunch regular exhibits in 2016 for our Art @ Coles series. To celebrate AnySquared’s 6th anniversary and our 28th exhibit at Cole’s, we are featuring the bold and colorful paintings of Andrea Kaspryk, longtime resident of Logan Square and AnySquared regular. Join us for the opening event on Sunday January 31st featuring the exhibit and music by Cole’s house band, Foz the Hook.
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Andrea Kaspryk’s background as a writer and long-time student of literature informs her narrative visual art. Much of her work explores experiences of conflict and division that stems from having been a young adult at odds with her transgender identity. She also explores related and universal themes such as social conformity and dignity in the face adversity.
“In terms of influences and precursors, my work is inspired by twentieth century modernism, Expressionism and Surrealism, and its more recent neo practitioners. Though these styles and approaches to painting, drawing, and print making may be regarded as dated and historical in the twenty-first century, they have not been fully explored and used as means of expression by artists with sensibilities and identities, such as transgender, until recently.”
Although it is not central to Andrea’s work, she also uses observational painting of people and objects as part of her practice to inform her work. She also experiments with form and color in abstract geometric work.
Finding a form for her ideas to present a psychological conflict or situation is Andrea’s goal as she works. Her work often transforms, acquiring a modified or different meaning than the original vision as she makes a piece. This is part of her process and allows for the unpredictable to evolve which she feels creates much more engaging art. She permits imagination to drift as she works and usually sketches with pencil and color pencil as preparation for her paintings.
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AnySquared Projects has organized 28 curated exhibits for our Art@Cole’s Series showcasing over 350 artists since 2010. In 2016 we will continue to feature both artists from the neighborhood and the wider Chicago community and change exhibits every couple of months.
AnySquared is an all-volunteer collaborative and artistic network. Propelled by a deep sense of cooperation with artists, neighbors and the wider community, our mission is to support, produce and promote collaborative projects that facilitate arts activities through inclusive participation. Our foundation is built upon the idea that we can do anything as long as we do ourselves and do it together.