Bio
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Mike Lenkowski is a visual artist living and working in Chicago. He has worked in various media such as reverse acrylic on plexiglass, acrylic on canvas, Plastic Prismatic Boxes, and 3D Assemblages. Mike graduated in 2007 from Avondale College with a Degree in Fine Art. His work can be found in private collections in the US and abroad, as well as in Art*o*mat machines nationwide.
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Statement
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I see my art as an exploration and celebration of color.
I see abstract art as an analog; a metaphor to everything that has ever happened, and will happen. Aesthetic decisions are a mirror.
I love when someone can look at a painting and see a story in it, one that they create. This kind of conversation is my favorite; when someone can tell me something that existed in my work, that I never knew was there.
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Resume
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Solo Exhibitions
Texture Paintings, Lincoln Park Library, Chicago IL, October 2016
Reverse Plexiglass Paintings, Logan Square Library, Chicago IL, October 2015
Plastic Prismatic Boxes, Richard M Daley Library, Chicago IL, September 2014
Light and Color, Rainbo Club, Chicago IL, March 2014
Fordite Paintings, Avalon Branch, Chicago Public Library, September 2013
Color Dreams, MGAC, Milwaukee WI, April 2013
Strictly Sexual, Touche, Chicago IL, March 2012
Recent Works, Crepe Crave, Chicago IL, June 2011
Abstract Nation, Gallery Cabaret, Chicago IL, Oct 2010
Colorful Part 2, Bleeding Heart Bakery, Chicago IL, Oct 2010
Colorful, Bleeding Heart Bakery, Oak Park IL, Oct 2010
Abstract Paintings, Alamo Shoes, Chicago IL, 5/08
Landscape Now, Halcyon Health Cafe, Morisset, Australia, 6/07
Natural World, Gibson Street Gallery, Newcastle, Australia, 5/07
People, Places and Things, Sunnys Café, Newcastle, Australia, 4/07
Art in the Raw, Newcastle Art Space, 12/06
Recent Works, Artist World, Morisset, Australia, 9/06
Bold Strokes, Gibson Street Gallery, Newcastle, Australia, 5/06
Selected Group Exhibitions
No More Deaths Fundraiser Art Auction, La Catrina Cafe, Chicago IL, June 2014
One Inspired Evening, Chicago Union Plumber's Hall, Chicago IL, March 2013, Juried by Steven Gross, Stan Klein, Deborah Maris Lader
Art Benefit, Brickton Art center, Park Ridge IL, January 2013
Art+Soul, Double Door, Chicago IL, December 2012
Spectrum, Chicago Art Department Gallery, Chicago, IL November 2012
Cafe, Boocoo Cultural Center, Evanston IL, December 2012
100 Canvases for Things that Matter, SIlver Room, Chicago IL, June 2012
Glow Show, Kinzie Corridor Gallery, Chicago IL, June 2012
Evil is Interesting, Antena Gallery Pilsen, Chicago IL, March 2012, Curated by Michael Workman and ANTIDOTE Projects
Store Display, Quimby's Bookstore, Chicago IL, March 2012
One Inspired Evening, Chicago Union Plumber's Hall, Chicago IL, March 2012, Juried by Peter Mars, Francine Turk, Chris Campagna
First Friday, I'll Cut You Salon, Flatiron Building, Chicago IL, February 2012
ArtFutura 2011, Lurie Center Atrium, Chicago IL, June 2011, Juried by James Rondeau
ArtReach Benefit Lillstreet Art Center, Chicago IL, April 2011
Empty Bowls Silent Auction Lillstreet Art Center, Chicago IL, March 2011
Ravenswood Pink Walk, BlackBird Gallery, Chicago IL, February 2011
Ravenswood Art Walk, Chicago IL, October 2010
Galaxie and Beyond, The Galaxie, Chicago IL, Sep 2010
Kinzie Corridor Art Walk, Chicago IL, August 2010
So You Think You Can Paint, Spoke Gallery, Chicago IL, July 2010
Chicago Art Open, River East Art Center, Chicago IL, April 2010, Juried by Susan Aurinko, Judy Saslow, Stephanie Burke, Allison Stites
One Inspired Evening, Stephen M. Bailey Auditorium, Chicago IL, March 2010, Juried by Peter Mars and Carrie Secrist
Holiday Art Show, Acme Art Works, Chicago IL, Dec 2009
Bucktown Garden Walk, Flatiron Arts Building, Chicago, IL, Summer 2009
Summer Smart Show, Flatiron Arts Building, Chicago, IL, Summer 2009
Square Foot Show, The Galaxie, Chicago IL, Summer 2009
Gilda's Club Benefit, Flatiron Arts Building, Chicago, IL, May 2009
Emerging Artist Exhibit, Morpho Gallery, Chicago IL, February 2009
Where is Bowmanville, Morpho Gallery, Chicago IL, 2008
Insideout07, Avondale College, Cooranbong NSW, Australia, 12/07
Bent Art, Katoomba Civic Centre, Katoomba, Australia, 6/07
Small is Beautiful, Pyrmont Art Festival, Pyrmont, Australia, 5/07
End Game, Field Contemporary Art Space, Newcastle, Australia, 3/07
Awards and Grants
$250 Acquisitive, Insideout 07, Avondale College Graduating Exhibition
Highly Commended, Bent Art, Blue Mountains Civic Center, 6/07
Publications and Reviews
Visual Arts, Chicago Reader, March 2014
Review, NewCity, March 2012
Advertisement, NewCity, March 2012
Galleries, Chicago Reader, March 2012
Featured Artist, Reglarwiglar.com, March 2011
Sidebar, Chicago Art Review.com, December 2010
Website Banner, Chicago Artists Resource, 2008
Lets do the Galleries, Weekend Herald, 5/07
Around the Galleries, Newcastle Star, 4/07
On Display, Newcastle Post, 4/07
Lets do the Galleries, Weekend Herald, 4/07
Artists story portrayed on every canvas, Lake Macquarie News, 2/07
Galleries, Weekend Herald, 12/06
Lets do the Galleries, Weekend Herald, 12/06
Circuit, Sunday Telegraph. 5/06
Galleries, Weekend Herald, 5/06
Lets do the Galleries, Weekend Herald 5/06
Education
Visual Arts Degree, Avondale College, Cooranbong, NSW Australia 2007
Representation
Art*o*Mat, Winston-Salem, NC
Collections
Various Private Collections