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CHRIS NEWMAN

TIM MEIER SAYS: “CHRIS IS CONSISTENTLY COMPELLING, SHOWING SIMPLICITY AND PURITY”

Newman began making sculpture as a boy, carving ivory and ebony whales for a local scrimshaw shop in Massachusetts where he lived.  He became intrigued with other subjects and materials, made plaster and ceramic portraits of friends and relatives while in high school, and took adult education figure drawing and sculpture classes while in college.  He considered careers in art history, museum administration and architecture.  His passion for making sculpture led him to make that his career.

 

He taught sculpture, 3-D design and art history at the junior and senior college levels and exhibited in the Philadelphia and New York areas before suspending his art career.  Moving to Chicago in the late 1970’s, he started a full-time job as a health care management consultant in order to raise his two sons as a single parent. he was able to return to actively making sculpture when the boys grew older, and he has maintained a steady production of work that been exhibited regularly at a local Chicago gallery.

His large-scale abstract works in aluminum has been purchased by private clients; exhibited publicly at the Kluczynski Federal Building plaza; he donated a piece to the Wilmette Park District that was installed east of Crawford Ave. on Wilmette Ave in 2010.  This is the third year that he has been chosen for the annual outdoor Chicago Sculpture Exhibit.

ABOUT THE SCULPTURE

 

Structural Analogs, 2014.  Painted Welded Aluminum

17′ H x 3′ W x 3′ D

Structural Analogs addresses the relationship between human creative design, trunks and limbs in forests and parks, and architectural functions and materials.  The setting in a walkway bordered by tall trees and residences gives emphasis to the skyward rise of the rectangular beams.  The pieces is a symbol of how the frames made possible by technology achieve a similar purpose as those in the neighboring trees and buildings.  It is constructed of painted welded aluminum with a steel plate securing it to the concrete base.  Structural Analogs is part of the annual Chicago Sculpture Exhibit from June 2014 to May 2015.  It is located at N. Mohawk and W. Wisconsin Streets.

ONE MAN SHOWS

  • “In the Boardroom,” Gregory Gaymont Studio & Gallery, Chicago (IL), 2008
  • Philadelphia (PA) Art Alliance, 1971
  • Ruth White Gallery, New York (NY), 1970
  • RECENT GROUP SHOWS
  • Wrigley Field Centennial, Michigan Ave., Chicago (IL), June-Sept. 2014
  • Chicago Sculpture Exhibit, June 2014-May 2015
  • “Invoking the Absence,” CSI Spring Show, Elks National Memorial and Headquarters
  • Chicago (IL), May-Oct. 2014
  • Art Lakeview 2013, Chicago (IL), Sept. 2013– Oct. 2013
  • “Six to the Third,” The Cliff Dwellers, Chicago (IL), Aug. 2013–Sept. 2013
  • ScuptTour Outdoor Exhibit, Suwanee (GA), May 2013 – April 2015
  • The Samuel B. Barker Outdoor Sculpture Competition, Univ. of AL, Birmingham (AL), 2013–2015 Sculpture Key West (FL), Dec. 2012–March 2013
  • Chicago (IL) Park District / Chicago Sculpture International Outdoor Exhibition, Aug. 2012–Aug. 2013 Chicago (IL) Sculpture Exhibit, June 2012–June 2013
  • Chicago (IL) Art Lakeview, Chicago (IL), 2011, 2012
  • Lakefront Sculpture Exhibit, Chicago (IL), June 2011–June 2012
  • Highland Park (IL) Art Walk, 2010
  • “An Enigmatic Approach,” Gregory Gaymont Studio & Gallery, Chicago (IL), 2005
  • “Five into Figures,” Riverwalk Gallery, Naperville (IL), 1989
  • Sculpture, Painting, Photography Group Exhibition, One Mag Mile, Chicago (IL), 1987
  • Chicago Sculptors, Kluczynski Federal Building Plaza, Chicago (IL), 1978
  • PUBLIC COLLECTIONS
  • Wilmette Park District, IL
  • Lakeview Chamber of Commerce, Chicago, IL
  • Cleveland Institute of Art, OH

EDUCATION

  • Harvard University, BA
  • University of Pennsylvania, BFA, MFA (sculpture)
  • University of Chicago, MBA

TEACHING

  • Bucks County Community College, Newton, PA
  • Cleveland Institute of Art, OH
  • Harcum Junior College, Bryn Mawr, PA