JAMES JANKOWIAK

James “ Casper” Jankowiak’ is a Chicago based self-taught artist whose work engages audiences through a unique multi-layered approach. His paintings and installations are complex works that reflect a definitive play on color, texture and light. This approach gives Jankowiak’s work a distinctive character and place in today’s contemporary art community.

His work embodies the contradictions found in all urban settings related to social change, identity and both the aesthetic and cultural aspects of art. To fully appreciate this range audiences must view Jankowiak’s body of work ranging from his much earlier aerosol art pieces to his contemporary creations that reinterpret notions of symmetry while seemlesly blending elements of light, shape and to create his signature free form works. These works are compelling in their ability to move between artistic and intellectual disciplines to reveal an underlying depth, richness and specificity. In all, his approach speaks to the permeability of boundaries that we erect in art and society. With this in mind, his work reveals a distinctive yet subtle ethos that evokes a sense of intellectual and artistic momentum.

Jankowiak’s approach resides in a larger tradition of visual, verbal and written art that defines Chicago as an artistic community. Jankowiak’s work encompasses the term community in a reflexive way mirroring both his own upbringing and the reality of art to be our interpretative lens for aesthetic pleasure or dialogue. Throughout his career, Jankowiak has embodied these qualities in visually and philosophically distinct ways that will continue to resonate with audiences.

Dr. Raymond Codrington, PhD

Project Director at the Aspen Institute Roundtable on Community Change

solo exhibitions

2008   32ndUrban Space   Chicago, IL.   “Southside Spiritual”

2007   Blackbird Chicago, IL.   “Salon Series”   Collaboration with chef Paul Kahan

2007   Moustache Gallery   Chicago, IL.   “Dirty Little Whirlwind”

2001   Century 900   Chicago, IL   “Snap!”

selected exhibitions

2009   Co-Prosperity Sphere   Chicago, IL.   “Version>09 , Bridged and Sheltered”   collaborative installation

2009   Crewest   Los Angeles, CA   “The Sharpie Show”   group show

2008   Museum of Contemporary Art   Chicago, IL.   “Living and Working”   group show featuring teaching artists

2007   Northwestern University Settlement House   Chicago, IL.   “Summer Show”   group show

2006   Lloyd Dobler   Chicago, IL.   “Wondergems”   group show

2006   Highland Park Art Center   Highland Park, IL.   “Remembering Childhood”   group show

2005   Museum of Contemporary Art   Chicago, IL.   “What’s Worth Fighting For” collaboration with 14 year old                son for the MCA’s “Artists and Their Kids” series

2005   Scion Culver City Gallery   Los Angeles, CA.   “Installation”   group show

2004   1920 Gallery , School of the Art Institute of Chicago   Chicago, IL.   “Throwing a Spin in the Works”                       group show

2003   rEvolution Gallery   San Francisco, CA.   “Underfoot”   group show

1999   The Butcher Shop   Chicago, IL.   “Ten by Ten”   group show

1998   The Chopin Theater   Chicago, IL.   “Turnstyles”   group show

1997   Heart Gallery   Paris, France   “Media Chronic”   group show

1993   Mary Leigh Block Gallery   Evanston IL.   “From the Border”   group show, live painting performance

1992   Beret International   Chicago, IL   “Poetry in Motion”   group show