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Thomas Wawzenek

ARTICLES: 66
Art & Museums, Gallery, Mixed media, Painting & sculpture

Review: The Vibrant Art of Arturo Reyes at Triple R Gallery

Arturo Reyes, “I am Woman.”

It’s natural for most critics as well as the general public to categorize various forms of art. Giving labels to artistic expression can be helpful when it gives context to […]

Thomas Wawzenek /
Art & Museums, Mixed media, Museum, Painting & sculpture

Review: Two Exhibitions at the DePaul Art Museum Explore Race, Gender and Class Issues

Joiri Minaya, “Container #7,”

A great way to spend a couple of hours this fall season is visiting the DePaul Art Museum where two new exhibitions are on display. On the main floor is […]

Thomas Wawzenek /
Art & Museums, Museum, Photography

Review: Photo Exhibit Captures the Magic of the Blues at the Swedish American Museum

Bobby “Blue” Bland and B.B. King, 2010.

The latest exhibition at the Swedish American Museum, Great Feelings and Meetings, pays tribute to American blues music by showcasing the work of photographer Hans Ekestang who has been documenting […]

Thomas Wawzenek /
Art & Museums, Gallery, Painting & sculpture, Photography, Sculpture

Review: Abandoned Spaces Come to Life at the Oak Park Art League

John Padour, Abandoned Mine

For many of us, there is a lure to abandoned spaces because they often evoke curiosity about their history while also arousing emotions of nostalgia, fear and sadness. There is […]

Thomas Wawzenek /
Art & Museums, Gallery, Museum, Painting & sculpture

Review: Art That Empowers Social Change at DePaul Art Museum

Amber Ginsburg and Aaron Hughes, Teacup Archive

The latest exhibition at the DePaul Art Museum, Remaking the Exceptional: Tea, Torture, and Reparations | Chicago to Guantánamo, explores the legal and moral implications of torture and incarceration. ​ […]

Thomas Wawzenek /
Art & Museums, Gallery, Painting & sculpture, Photography, Sculpture

Feature: Cornelia Arts Building Displays Compelling Variety in Open Studio Event

The Cornelia Arts Building recently held their spring open studio event where the public had the opportunity to see work by dozens of artists. The building, located at the corner […]

Thomas Wawzenek /
Art & Museums, Lit, Painting & sculpture, Photography

Gift Ideas for Art Lovers: Ten Great Art Books Published in 2021

Looking for gift ideas for art lovers in your life? Or perhaps you want to treat yourself by buying a book that will not only inspire and educate you about […]

Thomas Wawzenek /
Art & Museums, Gallery, Photography

Review: A Search for Meaning and Beauty During the Pandemic at Eat Paint Studio

Virgen de Lourdes, Monterrey, Mexico,

In the past year, a number of visual artists, writers and musicians have been exploring the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic in our lives. Artists are not only reflecting how […]

Thomas Wawzenek /
Art & Museums, Museum, Painting & sculpture

Review: Unseen Reality Through the Eyes of Post 9/11 Veterans at National Veterans Art Museum

Jake Baker, “Two Thousand Ten,”

The latest exhibition at the National Veterans Art Museum (NVAM)  is Scene|Unseen, featuring the works of four post 9/11 veteran/artists—Jake Baker, Jenn Hassin, Brian Kennedy and Aaron Webb. This exhibition […]

Thomas Wawzenek /
Art & Museums, Museum, Painting & sculpture

Review: A Dynamic View of Social Justice Issues at the Swedish American Museum

Anna U Davis, Shark-cuteri

In the latest exhibition, Reality Check, at the Swedish American Museum, Anna U Davis explores the concept of diffusion of responsibility and how it relates directly to social justice issues […]

Thomas Wawzenek /
Art & Museums, Gallery, Painting & sculpture

Review: Exploring the Relationship Between Art and Music at the Oak Park Art League

Shanti by Gammage

A common element that visual art and music share is their power to evoke an emotional response. Artists and musicians create works that not only unlock emotions, but also alter […]

Thomas Wawzenek /
Art & Museums, Gallery, Museum

Review: UIMA Presents Two Perspectives on Abstract Art

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When going to an exhibition that presents abstract art, two questions always come to mind: Can contemporary abstract art still create an element of surprise? And is it still a […]

Thomas Wawzenek /