On View: July 6 - 28, 2024
Opening Reception Sunday, July 7, 2024, 1-4 pm
“Finding Space & Other Stories” is a collection of mixed media assemblages in the artist’s on-going series examining the societal state of “house and home” – and beyond. The collection explores having to leave home and witnessing one’s past amidst a backdrop of intercontinental migration, massive pollution from plastics overuse, and global political unrest. The search for belonging is a central theme. Individual pieces, still part of the larger set, present their own story and content.
Tinker Toys appear prominently and provided initial inspiration. Litewski started playing with them to coax out a solution for a piece in another series. The resulting smell and touch of the familiar wooden wheels and colored sticks elicited a flood of childhood memories which created a strong desire to use the materials in future projects -- challenging him as an artist and visually challenging his viewers.
This new work presents the universal experience of going forward while looking back, then unpacking & re-examining once again at our new destination, all while ultimately understanding that “finding space” is always possible.
Michael Litewski is an award-winning American contemporary fine artist and visual story teller living and working in Zion IL. His home studio is equipped with the materials, tools, and machinery needed to plan and execute his highly aesthetic, symbolic, conceptual drawings, paintings, mixed media assemblages, and constructions.
Litewski’s works largely explore the current societal state of the “house and home” starting first with an emphasis on the simple “house” shape which supports endless possibilities for creativity. Using varying types of medias, Litewski weaves stories, ideas, and concepts from national and global events, social trends, and the political issues of today’s world into his complex, multi-faceted creations.
While exploring the impact of external forces on the house and home, Litewski has ably tackled a wide range of subjects in his works, including addiction, war, censorship, corruption, the Information Age, mass media communication, fake news, migration, and climate change, as well as his own personal struggles. Each work follows an independent creative process yet all of the works are closely inter-related resulting in a cohesive, thought-provoking and engaging collection.
“In my current collection I have attempted to unlock what seem to be random ideas or story lines into a body of work that is more and more expansive in scale and complexity. Using graphite, paint, wood, resin, and plastic, I challenge myself to explore different opportunities with each of these media. As the art develops, new stories and directions happen. As ideas take shape, I use the house-and-home concept to tell stories not only of our past and future but also of our day-to-day lives as we become more tribal as a species.”
Litewski is a Midwest native who has been creating art for 40 years and is primarily self-taught. His works have been exhibited in galleries and museums, and juried exhibitions, throughout the Midwest and in New York city. Telling stories through visual art has become Litewski’s way to look forward while inspiring others to do the same.
GALLERY HOURS & VISITOR INFORMATION
This exhibition will be held in the First and Second Floor Galleries of the Evanston Art Center (EAC). Masks are optional but strongly recommended for students, visitors and staff.
Gallery Hours
Monday–Thursday: 9am–6pm
Friday: 9am–5pm
Saturday–Sunday: 9am–4pm
HOW TO PURCHASE ARTWORK
Artwork sale proceeds benefit both the artist and the Evanston Art Center. If you are interested in purchasing artwork on display, please contact Emma Rose Gudewicz, Director of Development and Exhibition Manager, at [email protected] or (847) 475-5300 x 102.
This program is partially supported by a grant from the Illinois Arts Council through federal funds provided by the National Endowment for the Arts.
Artwork Pictured (L to R): Michael Litewski, Descending in the Darkness (Detail), Unpacking our Future (Detail), Storm (Detail).