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
This month we welcome Taipei-based artist Shon Chen (aka Shon Side) to the gallery as part of our ongoing collaboration with How2Work and Taiwanese gallery The Little Hut!
Collectors, especially those in Asia, will no doubt be familiar with Shon's prolific and long career creating characters such as Cap Duck, the adorable "catstronaut" Space Dream, and more recently the duo of Nick, a curious monster boy, and his large pal Lucas.
For this new exhibit Shon has produced primarily mixed media drawings, but has also included a beautiful painting and a sculpture we're sure you'll love.
Adventures of Heart 🖤
New Works by Shon Chen
Presented by How2Work & The Little Hut
July 13-August 11, 2024
Rotofugi — 2780 N Lincoln Ave — Chicago
Open Daily 10am-6pm
Sorry, there will not be an opening reception for this exhibit.
Works will be available to purchase first by members of our Gallery Previews Email List. Sign up at http://previews.rotofugi.com
We are excited to announce that Hebru Brantley will be making a special guest appearance at CollectedCon (Chicago)...PLUS there will be a new vinyl figure from Hebru Brand Studios making it's debut release!
First off, visit Rotofugi at Booth 501 for your first chance to collect not one, but three versions of one of Hebru's most iconic characters — available for the first time in vinyl — Phibby!
These three 12 inch tall vinyl art sculptures (OG, Blue, and Black) will be available for $295 each, limit one of each color per customer. OG and Blue are a limited edition production of 480 figures, and Black is limited to 240 pieces — produced by Hebru Brand Studios.
Then, on Saturday (8/3) from 3-6pm, Hebru will be making a special guest appearance at CollectedCon to meet and greet fans. Don't miss this opportunity to ask Hebru those burning questions you have about the FLYBOY Universe and get a photo too!*
For more info on CollectedCon or to purchase tickets visit https://collectedcon.com
*Please Note: Hebru's appearance is a meet and greet / photo opportunity only. Any requests to sign merchandise will be declined. Thanks for your understanding.
Do you love cats? Cute stuff? Tarot? Man have we got the event for you!
We are thrilled to announce we're hosting a special pop up exhibit with the wonderful Michelle Romo (aka Crowded Teeth) kicking off this Saturday! Michelle's new Mystic Cats Tarot Deck just came out via Union Square & Co. and we're celebrating the release with an exhibit of original art inspired by Mystic Cats.
Join us the evening of Saturday, June 22nd, 6-8pm for the exhibit kick off to meet Michelle, grab a tarot deck, keychain, or even an original piece of art, and enjoy a free tarot reading by Megan Kirby for the first 20 people to sign up at the event. DJ Sean Doe will be spinning a live set too!
In-person sales for this exhibit will begin at 6pm Saturday. Remaining works will be made available for online purchase to our Gallery Previews email list members after the Kick Off Event...sign up at https://previews.rotofugi.com.
The exhibit continues through July 21.
Mystic Cats
New Works by Michelle Romo
June 22-July 21, 2024
Kick Off Event
Saturday, June 22, 6-8pm
Free – All Ages – BYOB
Rotofugi — 2780 N Lincoln Ave — Chicago
An LGBTQ+ Safe Space
About the Artist
Michelle Romo is an illustrator, product designer, and maker of fun things!
Michelle has written and illustrated several books (Frankie's Magical Day, The Spencer the Cat Series and Paper Wonderland) and has developed two tarot and oracle decks (Mystic Cats Tarot and Cosmic Kindness Oracle). Her board book series, Spencer the Cat, was partially developed by Cartoon Network for an animated series.
Michelle has created countless characters over the years and has a focus in designing products for children including apparel, accessories, home decor, and toys. She also licenses her artwork under the name "Crowded Teeth" and participates in art shows creating one of a kind art pieces.
Select clients and collaborators include: Workman Publishing, Abrams Appleseed, Disney, Sanrio, Hasbro, Cartoon Network, Pals Socks, Scholastic Book Fairs, The Flaming Lips, CAMP and more.
Michelle currently lives in Chicago, IL and is obsessed with her 3 cats - Chu Chu, Deli, and Bimmy.
We are super excited to welcome ChrisRWK back for his second solo exhibit, Outside Looking Out, and his first artist reception at Rotofugi!
Join us this Saturday evening, June 15, 6-8pm, to meet ChrisRWK and score a signed limited edition double cassette mixtape made by DJ Sean Doe just for the opening.
To purchase artwork, sign up at https://previews.rotofugi.com to receive the email and first chance to buy works from this exhibit — the email will be sent tomorrow, June 14. Remaining works will be available to purchase in person beginning at 10am Saturday.
Outside Looking Out
New Works by ChrisRWK
June 15-July 7, 2024
Artist Reception & Mixtape Release
Saturday, June 15, 6-8pm
Free — All Ages — BYOB
About the Artist
A child of the 70’s into the 80s, ChrisRWK’s world was often completely flooded with the imagery and ideas presented by his television, his comic books, and the music and movies of the time. Immersed in these various mediums, ChrisRWK began to store the images brought forward though these everyday experiences in what he refers to as a "mental journal". This journal was a haven of his thoughts that he could refer back to whenever necessary.
ChrisRWK’s paintings frequently cite past conceptions of popular culture embedded in his psyche's cache.
This use of intertextuality also serves to offer a comfort or familiarity of sorts to the viewer. ChrisRWK’s works frequently reveal everyday musings and people one would pass on the street without looking or thinking about twice. These images also aid ChrisRWK in the creation of a visual language comprised of his own iconographic imagery. Through the repetition of this imagery, ChrisRWK strives to familiarize his viewers with the language he has constructed. ChrisRWK believes that the notions within his pieces serve as a backbone to the many stories created by the onlooker when he or she is viewing the work.
In 2001 ChrisRWK set in motion Robots Will Kill, an arts site dedicated to community and exposure for artists/media often disregarded by the mainstream art world. Rather than featuring his own work exclusively, he opened it up to allow the possibility for it to become whatever it evolved into being. ChrisRWK has used this interaction and collaboration with artists to help develop his artwork in new ways. Over the years ChrisRWK’s imagery has become quickly identifiable and familiar to many people. He is trying to evoke more stories in people's minds everyday.
