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Bruno Surdo
Interchange Between Myth and Reality - Monumental Painting, Original Oil

2020

About the Item

The timeless use of the human form has always been the subject from which artist Bruno Surdo chooses to express his narratives. This interest in using the human body as a focal point stems from his knowledge of the history of figuration from the ancient Greeks to modern day cinematic masterpieces. The expression of the human form has also inspired him to explore various artistic styles represented throughout the ages. This can be seen paradoxically with some of Bruno's paintings that incorporate a contemporary art idiom augmented by the skills and craftsmanship influenced by the Renaissance and Baroque periods. His fascination of transcending time periods of stylistic treatments is ubiquitous throughout his own aesthetic. Surdo's use of the human form is also a timeless gravitas in connecting to a spiritual mystery. How his connection and yearning for truth in this mystery has been echoed continually in his many years of making art. He has always tried to create a response of curiosity when composing his ideas for the viewing public. This role of conceptualism and storytelling has been a vital part of this oeuvre and a reflection of his history as an artist. This painting was exhibited at the Euorpean Cultural Centre during the Venice 2022 Art Biennial in Personal Structures: Reflections, Palazzo Mora, April 23 - November 27, 2022. Bruno Surdo Interchange Between Myth and Reality oil on canvas 79h x 215w in 200.66h x 546.10w cm BRS076 Bruno A. Surdo b. Chicago, 1963 EXHIBITIONS 2023 New Work, Gallery VICTOR, Chicago, IL 2021 Ethos + Truth, Gallery Victor Armendariz, Chicago, IL 2020 Realities, Gallery Victor Armendariz, Chicago, IL 2018 Liberation, Gallery Victor Armendariz, Chicago, IL Blood Sport, Gallery Victor Armendariz, Chicago, IL Art on Paper 2018, Gallery Victor Armendariz, Pier 36, New York, NY SOFA Chicago 2018, Gallery Victor Armendariz, Navy Pier, Chicago, IL 2017 POP!ARAZZI, Gallery Victor Armendariz, Chicago, IL Coming Attractions, Gallery Victor Armendariz, Chicago, IL 2015 SOFA Chicago 2015, Ann Nathan Gallery, Navy Pier, Chicago, IL Bruno Surdo: Allegories, Ann Nathan Gallery, Chicago, IL 2014 Bruno Surdo: Respond, Ann Nathan Gallery, Chicago, IL Modern Metaphors, Rockford Art Museum, Rockford, IL 2013 Bruno Surdo: Revelations, Ann Nathan Gallery, Chicago, IL Vice + Virtue, Northern Illinois University Museum of Art 2012 Contemporary Realism Biennial, Fort Wayne Museum of Art, Fort Wayne, IN 2011 Bruno Surdo, University of St. Francis School of Creative Arts, Fort Wayne, IN Uncensored, Ann Nathan Gallery, Chicago, IL 2010 Art Chicago 2010, Ann Nathan Gallery, Merchandise Mart, Chicago, IL 2009 Art Chicago 2009, Ann Nathan Gallery, Merchandise Mart, Chicago, IL 2007 Bruno Surdo, Art Institute of Indianapolis, Indianapolis, IN 2006 Context/Content: Making Meaning with the Figure, University of Arkansas, Conway, AR Creative Imaginings, Mobile Museum of Art, Mobile, AL Bruno Surdo: Cycles, Ann Nathan Gallery, Chicago, IL 2005 Art Chicago 2005, Ann Nathan Gallery, Chicago, IL 2004 Tragedy, Memory, & Honor, Richard M. Daley Center, Chicago, IL Art Chicago 2004, Ann Nathan Gallery, Chicago, IL Group Show, Arcadia Gallery, New York, NY Drawings VII, Koplin Del Rio Gallery, West Hollywood, CA Armory Show, New York Armory, New York, NY 2003 Paintings & Drawings, College of Lake County, Grayslake, IL The Art Show, New York, NY Bruno Surdo: New Work, Ann Nathan Gallery, Chicago, IL Art Chicago 2003, Ann Nathan Gallery, Chicago, IL 2003-10 International Show of Contemporary Artists, Chicago Art Open, Chicago, IL 2002 Bruno Surdo: Perception of Appearance, Frye Museum, Seattle, WA Tragedy, Memory, & Honor, Richard M. Daley Center, Chicago, IL Bruno Surdo: Transcendence, Ann Nathan Gallery, Chicago, IL Art Chicago 2002, Ann Nathan Gallery, Chicago, IL Tragedy, Memory, & Honor, Ann Nathan Gallery, Chicago, IL 2001 Magic Vision, Arkansas Art Center, Little Rock, AR 1998 Evanston and Vicinity Artists, Evanston Art Center, Evanston, IL 1996 Bruno Surdo: A Personal View, University of Wisconsin, Kenosha, WI 1995 Bruno Surdo: Recent Works, College of Lake County, IL AIDS in Our Society, Loyola University, Chicago, IL Bruno Surdo: Life, Struggle, and Hope, Chicago Cultural Center, Chicago, IL 2001 Magic Vision, Arkansas Art Center, Little Rock, AR Bruno Surdo: Dualities of Life, Ann Nathan Gallery, Chicago, IL 1999 Group Show, Ann Nathan Gallery, Chicago, IL 1998 Group Exhibition, Fine Arts Building Gallery, Chicago, IL 1995 Spiritual Inquiries, Struve Gallery, Chicago, IL 1994 Recent Works, The 14th Annual Juried Exhibition for Lake County Artists, Grayslake, IL Go Figure, Figurative Works on Paper, Chicago Printmakers Collaborative, Chicago, IL SELECTED COLLECTIONS The Re-Birth of Venus, Temporary Loan, Fort Wayne Museum of Art Arkansas Art Center, Little Rock, AR College of Lake County, Greyslake, IL Flashpoint Academy, Chicago IL John Robert Wiltgen Design Shoemaker Ruud Collection Julie & Thomas Danilek Michael Vozzella and Mike Silver Benjamin Fernandez Tom Braake Betsy Colburn Michael Diemand & Lor LaRose Michael Staab & Kathy Brock Bruce Leep Frank Tzurect Mary Foley Rosalyn Carlson Mimmy Turney Janet Long Halstead Billy Hunt Carol Galli Myles Kerrigan Honorable & Mrs. Edwin Berman Theodore Gage Northrop Art Museum Past Present & Future Company Dr. James & Peggy Kemmler Salvatore Monastero Nix & Virginia Lauridsen Joel Miller David & Marlene Zerkel Ann & Andy Abel Claudia Rush Marc Miller Leonard Goldberg Lawrence Pucci Howard Tullman Collection Susan & Manny Kramer James Rinnert Richar Interiors Michael & Nancy Colt Khalid Altijir Dr. Joe Grodman Beryl & Jack Gore Larry Wolf & Eric Naegle Chuck Wolandi Jack Schwab & David Sandelin Thomas Kaczmarek Marti Dinerstein Craig & Michael Golden Mike & Jill Rose SELECTED PUBLICATIONS Bruno Surdo: The Method Artist Responds, by Lucia Mauro, June 26, 2014, anitathemovie blog An Exhibition of Exhibitionism: Bruno Surdo’s ‘Respond’, by Carrie McGath, July 1, 2014, The Chicagoist Website, Arts and Entertainment “Inspired Environs: A renowned designer decks out his Loop abode in art and texture” Modern Luxury, Men’s Book, Spring 2014 “Master Class” What’z Up Magazine, Fort Wayne, 2011 ”9/11 Painting will be on Display” Fort Wayne Journal Gazette, 2011 “Illuminated Images” Fort Wayne Reader, 2011 “Two Faces of Beauty” American Art Collector Magazine, Issue #3 and #59, 2006/2010 “Art and Calamity” Art Papers, 2009 “Versions of the Present, Techniques of the Past” American Artist Magazine, 2004 “Living Artists” Crow Book Publishing, Chicago, IL 2004 “The New Master” by Craig Keller, Chicago Social Magazine, 2004. “Tragedy, Memory, and Honor,” by William Hageman, Chicago Tribune, March 28, 2002 “Mural Depicts Tragedy of 9/11” Art Section, Chicago Sun Times, 2002 Review by Dennis Raverty, Art Papers Magazine, July 2001 WTTW Channel 11 “Art Beat Chicago,” Featured November 2000, Bruno and the SORA Art Scene Chicago 2000, by Ivy Sundell, Crow Woods Publishing, 2000. “Artist’s Idea Celebrates Performing Arts on Wall,” by Sue Jenkins, Daily Herald, 1998. Best of Portrait Painting, Rachel Wolf, Northlight Publications, 1998 "Visions of the Present, Techniques of the Past”, Bruno Surdo, Oil Highlights – Figures, January, 1996 LECTURES AND PUBLIC SPEAKING ENGAGMENTS 2014 Lecture, Modern Metaphors, Rockford Art Museum, Rockford, IL 2011 Lecture: University of St. Francis, Fort Wayne, IN 2007 Lecture: Art Institute of Indianapolis, Indianapolis, IN 2006 Lecture and Slide Presentation: University of Central Arkansas, Conway, AR 2000 Book Signing: Art Scene Chicago 2000, Barnes and Noble, Skokie, IL 1998 Lecture and Slide Presentation: Des Plaines Art Guild, Des Planes, IL 1996 Lecture: University of Wisconsin-Parkside, Kenosha, WI 1995 Lecture and Slide Presentation: College of Lake County, Grayslake, IL Critique and Lecture: Skokie Art Guild, Skokie, IL 1994 Lecture: American Academy of Art, Chicago, IL 1993 Lecture: Ray College of Design, Chicago, IL AWARDS 2009 Faculty of the Year, The Illinois Institute of Art, Chicago, Chicago, IL 2006 Grand Prize, International Artist Magazine. Contemporary Figurative Art Competition, Seattle, WA 2005 Certificate of Appreciation for 9/11 painting, Tragedy, Memory, and Honor presented by Richard M. Daley, Mayor of Chicago, IL 2003 Proclamation Award, "Bruno Surdo Day," March 18, Skokie, IL 1998 Evanston and Vicinity Artists Show, Honorable Mention Award, Evanston, IL PROFESSIONAL EXPERIENCE 1992 – 2013 Founder, Director, Instructor, School of Representational Art (SORA), Chicago, IL 1988 – present Instructor, Illinois Institute of Art, Chicago, IL EDUCATION 1987 Studio Cecil-Graves, Florence, Italy 1983-86 Atelier Lack, Minneapolis, MN 1983 Atelier Prohl, Minneapolis, MN 1981-1983 American Academy of Art, Chicago, IL 1980 Liceo Artistico de Bari, Bari, Italy
  • Creator:
    Bruno Surdo (1963, American)
  • Creation Year:
    2020
  • Dimensions:
    Height: 79 in (200.66 cm)Width: 215 in (546.1 cm)
  • Medium:
  • Movement & Style:
  • Period:
  • Framing:
    Framing Options Available
  • Condition:
  • Gallery Location:
    Chicago, IL
  • Reference Number:
    Seller: BRS0761stDibs: LU554314001612
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