Black Walnut review

Black Walnut Gallery:
More Under the Shell Than Just Fine Furnishings.

review by: David Downs

Braving the cold rain on a late wintry night in early February and leaping
across half-frozen puddles on Division Street in Wicker Park, I followed
a lead sent to me by email to see an art show at Black Walnut Gallery.
The gallery is actually a shop specializing in beautiful hand-crafted
home furnishings by Robert Wayner. His creations are definitely a
testament to his own artistry, however tonight he allowed the focus to
shift to a group of artists he invited to show this month at the gallery.
The varied works of Lilith Stec, David Soukup, Anthony Baus, Mark
Verwearat, Jim Druzik, Sharon Parmet, Karyn Thompson, and Rachel
Ourada all covered the many walls of Black Walnut. Although the night
was cold and inhospitable, a handful of art lovers came out to the warm,
inviting showroom to drink, socialize, and view the art work adorning
the walls and corridors.

The show was loosely curated with no apparent theme to tie it all
together. Mediums used included acrylics, color and black and white
photography printed digitally, color pencils, and various others.
Fortunately the gallery had enough divided wall space to separate each
artist's work in a comfortable fashion. The atmosphere was also cozy
and casual, which is something I've come to appreciate in Chicago art
shows.

Anthony Baus is definitely an artist to mention from the show. His works
of mixed-media on pastel paper were eye-catching and inspired.
Emerging from the colorful paper he drew upon were partial details of
scenes involving people and objects. With their environments and even
parts of themselves left to dissolve in negative space, the faces and
objects that remained opened themselves up for new interpretation.
The artistry and detail represented in what may have been color pencil
was masterful.

Another artist to catch my attention was Lilith Stec. On wood panels,
she painted a semi-transparent wash of acrylics, allowing the natural
grain to show through. On her most memorable pieces, she adhered a
delicate stripe of white muslin fabric which seemed to float above the
darkly painted wood it was placed upon.

I recommend taking the time to visit the Black Walnut Gallery when in
the Wicker Park/ Bucktown area looking for art and inspiration. This
particular show will exhibit until February 29, and the gallery is open
Thursday through Saturday from 1PM to 7PM and Sundays from 1PM
to 6PM. They are located at 2135 West Division Street.