For our November-December exhibit we welcome back someone close to our rainbow-colored heart, Chicago based artist David "Netherland" van Alphen!
Join us this Saturday, November 16, 6-8pm for the opening reception to check out the art, meet the artist, and groove to a live set by DJ Sean Doe!
Stay Focused
New Works by Netherland
November 16-December 8. 2024
Opening Reception
Saturday, November 16, 6-8pm
Live Set by DJ Sean Doe
Free, All Ages, BYOB
Exhibit pieces will first be available to our Gallery Previews email list. Sign up at http://previews.rotofugi.com.
About the Artist
Artist David "Netherland" van Alphen lives and works in Chicago, Illinois. Though David's family was from Holland, he was born in Toronto, and has been in Chicago for the last seventeen years.
Being a child of the 70's has influenced him greatly and is reflected in most of his work. Juxtaposing images, his color choices and the new modern context comes through his nostalgic imagery and helps to isolate and enhance them into a beautiful montage.
David does not resize, photocopy or scan any of the images he uses. All images are cut directly from their original source and pieced together to keep each piece unique. David has shown at many galleries throughout the U.S. and sold out his first solo show in January 2008.
Please join us to celebrate two Chicago artists with a vinyl toy release and signing!
Both Nez and Blake Jones will be at the store this Saturday, November 2, 2-4pm signing their respective figures, both produced by UVD Toys.
We will be releasing a new 100 piece limited edition Rotofugi Exclusive version of Blake's Flower Picker, a 4 inch tall vinyl figure that retails for $80 — plus we will have on hand a small quantity of Nez's wonderful 5 inch tall resin figure, Cereal Buddy, also an edition of just 100 pieces, for $100!
We also have a small number of the original blue Flower Picker, plus Nez and Blake will have prints and more for sale.
Don't miss this chance to support two amazing Chicago artists and get an early jump on your holiday shopping!
Cereal Bunnies
Vinyl Toy Release and Signing with Nez and Blake Jones
Saturday, November 2, 2-4pm
Remaining inventory of both releases will be available online at rotofugi.com after the in-person release.
Rotofugi • 2780 N Lincoln Ave • Chicago
It's October and that means our good friends Nick and Lindsay DiFabbio, aka Cherry Moth Cake, are going to be back with a new exhibit this coming Saturday!
This year though they are sharing the walls, and the love, with another artist...their good friend and equally spooktastic (at least in terms of art style) Peet Sketches, aka Monster Bloodbath!
We can't wait to see what they've dreamed up for what they are describing as an "art show of the phantasmagoric!"
To kick off the show both Cherry Moth Cake and Monster Bloodbath will be setting up for a pop-up shop event at the store on Saturday, October 19, 10am-3pm. Stop in to see the exhibit, meet Nick, Lindsay, and Peet and grab some wares or just hang out and watch some live art demonstrations from both! DJ Sean Doe will be spinning a live set as well, from Noon-2pm.
Mystic Creepers
New Works by Cherry Moth Cake & Monster Bloodbath
October 19-November 10, 2024
Open 10am-6pm Daily
Opening Day Pop-Up & Live Art
Saturday, October 19, 10am-3pm
DJ Sean Doe, 12-2pm
Free / All Ages
Online sales of the exhibit pieces will be available in the week after the exhibit opens. Sign up at previews.rotofugi.com to receive first chance for online purchase.
For our September exhibit we welcome one of our favorite hometown creators, the wonderfully wacky purveyor of pugs, Mr. Walters of Nerfect Artistic Novelties!
Mr. Walters will be exhibiting an all new body of works under the slightly scary sounding title "Träume der Stubenfliege," but trust us, this will be an exhibit full of color and that special blend of joy that only Mr. Walters knows how to conjur up.
Join us Saturday, September 21, 6-8pm for the Opening Reception to meet Mr. Walters and check out the new art while grooving to a new all '80s mix by DJ Sean Doe!
Träume der Stubenfliege
New Works by Mr. Walters
September 21-October 13, 2024
Opening Reception
Saturday, September 21, 6-8pm
Free • All Ages • BYOB
Rotofugi — 2780 N Lincoln Ave — Chicago
Open Daily 10am-6pm
Sign up for our Gallery Previews Email list for first online access to this and future exhibits at http://previews.rotofugi.com
About the Artist
Mr. Walters is an artist, designer and toymaker living and working in the Chicago area. He is the proprietor of Nerfect Artistic Novelties, a brand which features a variety of wares, including plush toys, featuring his whimsical artwork and characters. Mr. Walters is especially well known for his line of pug character plush toys, which he exhibits and sells nationally at craft shows, music festivals, designer toy and comic conventions.
It's been five years (!) since we last hosted Jeremiah Ketner and we're excited to share over 20 new works by this talented artist who now splits his time between Illinois and Tokyo.
Join us this Saturday, August 17, for the opening reception and meet Jeremiah while grooving to a live set by DJ Sean Doe!
Everything is Fine
New Works by Jeremiah Ketner
August 17-September 15, 2024
Opening Reception
Saturday, August 17, 6-8pm
Music by DJ Sean Doe
Free / All Ages / BYOB
Works will be available to purchase first by members of our Gallery Previews Email List. Sign up at http://previews.rotofugi.com
About the Artist
Jeremiah Ketner's paintings are instantly recognizable amongst his contemporaries in the pop surrealism movement. His early work, characterized by mischievous sprites and whimsical patterns, has evolved into lush, richly colored environments inhabited by a cast of pensive, dreamy young women. Each character presents a unique brand of beauty, created entirely within Jeremiah's imagination and painted completely from memory.
The sprites (which grace the walls of Nordstrom department stores nationwide) still appear as inspiration for custom wooden and vinyl toys. Bringing a three-dimensional surface to life is one of Jeremiah's favorite challenges; the intricate, colorful one-of-a-kind creatures are immensely popular amongst his collectors.
Beyond the designer toy phenomenon, other aspects of Japanese culture — the fabrics and motifs, the meticulous taming of and tending to nature — provide an ever-flowing spring of insight, and Jeremiah travels there as often as possible. "I love the gardens," he says. "They do an amazing job of taking a small space and making it feel like a large environment."
During one trip to Tokyo he observed, "Design in Japan is small and round," which became his mantra of sorts, an enigmatic interpretation of his overall aesthetic. "It loosely describes work from long ago, but I guess it's more of a pen name," says Jeremiah, whose Internet-savvy fans know to look for his "smallandround" persona for frequent updates and photographs of new art.
Jeremiah's pop culture-inspired style and unconventional creations have a traditional foundation. With his family's encouragement, he began formal art studies at the age of 12. He holds a BFA from Columbus College of Art and Design and an MFA from Southern Illinois University. Jeremiah's paintings and toys have been featured in solo and group exhibitions galleries across North America and internationally.
Artist Bio written by Cherise LaPine
