Gary Justis earned His Master of Fine Arts degree from the School of the Art Institute of Chicago in 1979. He has developed his work professionally in the area of sculpture, printmaking and photography for the last 44 years. He lived and worked in Chicago from 1977 to 1999. He currently resides in Bloomington Illinois where he continues his work in sculpture, printmaking, experimental photography and writing. He holds a Professorship at Illinois State University. He has exhibited work at the Whitney Museum of American Art at Phillip Morris, NY, The New Museum of Contemporary Art, NY, the Museum of Contemporary Art, Chicago and the Los Angeles Center for Digital Art. He has also exhibited work in numerous exhibitions at Art galleries in Chicago, San Francisco, Los Angeles, New York, Rome, Barcelona and Budapest. Gary Justis’s work is included in various collections throughout the country, most notably: The Museum of Modern Art Library, The New York City Library (special collections), The Museum of Contemporary Art, Chicago, The School of the Art Institute of Chicago Artist’s Books Collection, The National Gallery of Art, Washington, DC, The Peoria Lakefront Museum of Art and JP Morgan Chase, New York, NY.
Gary Justis
BORN:
1953, Wichita, KS
Lives and works in Bloomington, IL
EDUCATION:
1979 MFA, School of the Art Institute of Chicago, Chicago, IL
1977 BFA, Wichita State University, Wichita, KS
SOLO EXHIBITIONS:
2021 Gary Justis, New Light Images, PH21 Gallery, Budapest, Hungary, opening remarks by Buzz Spector
2020 Gary Justis: Head on Horizon: Online exhibition hosted by Manneken Press, Bloomington, IL
2019
The Poetry of Light and Motion, New works by Gary Justis, The Chicago Athenaeum Museum of Architecture and Design, Galena Annex, Galena, Illinois
2018
Luminous Objects, new works by Gary Justis, Contemporary Art Center, Peoria, IL
2017
Heads on Horizon, Ramp-Arts Gallery, Bloomington, IL
2016
Emergence, New Digital Photographic works by Gary Justis, Los Angeles Center for Digital Art, Los Angeles, CA
2015
Light Play: Light Producing Objects by Gary Justis, Hiestand Gallery, Miami University, Oxford, OH
Sun Cell/Torrent, Installation, University Galleries, IL State University, Normal, IL
2014 Variables, Frank Juarez Gallery, Sheboygan, WI
2013 Portraits Of Light, Manneken Press Gallery, Bloomington, IL
2011 Gary Justis: Selected Works 2001 – 2011, Peoria Contemporary Art Center, Peoria, IL
Plush Variables, (in collaboration with LJ Douglas), Urban Institute for Contemporary Art, Grand Rapids, MI
2010 Dreams and Reason, Tarble Art Center, Eastern Illinois University, Charleston, IL
2009 Head on Horizon Redux, McLean County Art Center,Bloomington, IL
2008 Quiet Movement, Elmhurst Art Museum, Elmhurst, IL
2007 Gary Justis: Plush, Alfedena Gallery, Chicago, IL
2001 Head on Horizon, Tarble Arts Center, Eastern Illinois University, Charleston, IL
2000 Gary Justis: Recent Work, Klein Art Works, Chicago, IL
1999 Functionality, Midland Center for the Arts, Midland, MI
1996 Klein Art Works at Art 1996 Chicago, Navy Pier, Chicago, IL
Gary Justis: Incrementum-Selected Works, 1979-95. Two locations: Klein Art Works and Tough Gallery, Chicago, IL
1993 Gary Justis: New Work, Mike’s Museum, Chicago, IL
1991 Gary Justis: Quiet Works, 1989-1991, CompassRose Gallery, Chicago, IL
1990 Gary Justis: Time Expanded, Time Collapsed, Wesleyan University, Bloomington, IL
1988 The Causal Garden, CompassRose Gallery, Chicago, IL
Mechanical Investigations, Art Museum of Southeast Texas, Beaumont, TX
1986 Gary Justis: Recent Sculpture, Patrick King Contemporary Art, Indianapolis, IN
Gary Justis: Recent Sculpture, Tower Fine Arts Center, Brockport, NY
Gary Justis: New Work, Marianne Deson Gallery, Chicago, IL
Mythos, Beyond Function, Alexandria Museum of Art, Alexandria, LA
1985 Hyperfunctional Icons, Chicago Cultural Center, Chicago, IL
1983 Gary Justis: New Work, Marianne Deson Gallery, Chicago, IL
1982 Object-Luminosus-Objectus: Electrokinetic Sculpture, The Museum of Science and Industry,Chicago, IL
GROUP EXHIBITIONS:
2024
Vision and Expression: the art of photography—Barcelona, A curated international photography exhibition, PH21@Barcelona
Click, Photography Exhibition, Art Center at Highland Park, Highland Park, IL
Dolling Up the Lens: Barbie, A curated international photography exhibition, PH21 Gallery, Budapest, Hungary
2023
The Natural and the Artificial, A PH21 Gallery Exhibition in ART150 Gallery, Jersey City, NJ
Shape, A curated international photography exhibition, PH21 Gallery, Budapest, Hungary
Light and Shadow-Barcelona, A curated international photography exhibition, PH21@Barcelona
Upside-Down, A curated international photography exhibition, PH21 Gallery, Budapest, Hungary
Portraits, A curated international photography exhibition, PH21 Gallery, Budapest, Hungary
Significant Colour, A curated international photography exhibition, PH21@Rome, Rome, Italy
Scapes, A curated international photography exhibition, PH21@Barcelona
Scene and Meaning-The Art of Photography, A curated international photography exhibition, PH21 Gallery, Budapest, Hungary
2022
Little but Bold, Sculpture Exhibition, Chicago Sculpture International, Chicago, IL
Wonsook Kim School of Art Faculty Biennial, University Galleries, Normal, IL
Motion-Rome, A curated international photography exhibition, PH21@Rome, Rome, Italy
Dis/Harmony, A curated international photography exhibition, PH21 Gallery, Budapest, Hungary
Shape, A curated international photography exhibition, Curator’s Choice, PH21@Barcelona
A/Symmetrical, A curated international photography exhibition, PH21@Rome
Personality: Contemporary Portraiture, A curated international photography exhibition, PH21@Budapest
Silence, A curated international photography exhibition, PH21@Budapest, Hungary
2020
Winter Benefit, (online) Arcade Project Curatorial, New York, NY
Primary Shapes, online photo exhibition hosted by L.A Photo Curator, Mark Indig, curator
The Art of Photography, juried international photography exhibition, PH21 Gallery@ KromArt Gallery and Centro Sperimentale di Fotografia Adams, Rome, Italy
Significant Colour, juried international photography exhibition, PH21 Gallery, Budapest, Hungary
Urban, juried international photography exhibition, Juror’s Choice, PH21 Gallery, and Valid World Hall Gallery, Barcelona, Catalonia, Spain
Photographic Visions 2020 Summer, juried international photography exhibition, PH21 Gallery, Budapest, Hungary
Spring Forward: Online exhibition hosted by Arcade Project Curatorial, Curated by Ruben Natal-San Miguel, NYC https://www.arcadeprojectzine.com/curatorial/spring-forward
Spring Fever: Online exhibition hosted by Treat Gallery, New York, Curated by Ruben Natal-San Miguel, NYC
The Pandemic Faire: Online exhibition hosted by Glasstire, covering the visual arts in Texas, curated by Ted Kincaid https://pandemicfaire.com/
Imagination, juried international photography exhibition, PH21 Gallery, Budapest, Hungary
2019
Corporealities, a juried international photography exhibition, PH21 Gallery, Budapest, Hungary
Los Angeles Center for Digital Art, Member’s Exhibition, Los Angeles, California
Stories, a juried international photography exhibition, PH21 Gallery, Budapest, Hungary
Motion, a juried international photography exhibition, PH21 Gallery, Budapest, Hungary
2018
Electron Salon International Member's Exhibitions, Los Angeles Center for Digital Art, Los Angeles, CA
Corporealities, a juried international photography exhibition, PH21 Gallery, Budapest, Hungary
American Splendour, a juried international photography exhibition, Lion Gallery, New York, NY
Peripheral Visions, a juried international photography exhibition, PH21 Gallery, Budapest, Hungary
2017
Electron Salon International Group Exhibitions, July, September, January, Los Angeles Center for Digital Art, Los Angeles, CA
Woman as Warrior, Zhou B Art Center, Chcago, IL
What the world Needs Now, photographic exhibition, Atlanta, GA
Mobile, a juried international photography exhibition, PH21 Gallery, Budapest, Hungary
Punctum, a juried international photography exhibition, PH21 Gallery, Budapest, Hungary
2016
Portraiture, a juried international photography exhibition, PH21 Gallery, Budapest, Hungary
Art Venice Biennale, projected image, Venezia, Italy
Electron Salon International Group Exhibition, October, Los Angeles Center for Digital Art, Los Angeles, CA
Stories, a juried international photography exhibition, PH21 Gallery, Budapest, Hungary
micro<MACRO, McLean County Arts Center, Bloomington, IL
Tell Me a Story, a juried international photography exhibition, B Complex Gallery, Atlanta, Georgia
RGB, a juried international photography exhibition, PH21 Gallery, Budapest, Hungary
Evanston and Vicinity Biennial Exhibition, July, Evanston Art Center, Evanston, IL
Electron Salon International Group Exhibition, July, Los Angeles Center for Digital Art, Los Angeles, CA
Electron Salon International Group Exhibition, June, Los Angeles Center for Digital Art, Los Angeles, CA
a juried international photography exhibition, PH21 Gallery, Budapest, Hungary
Anniversary Group Exhibition, April, Los Angeles Center for Digital Art, Los Angeles, CA
Faculty Biennial, University Galleries, IL State University, Normal, IL
2015
Return of the Exquisite Corpse, Printworks Gallery, Chicago, IL
Snap To Grid, Los Angeles Center for Digital Art, Los Angeles, CA
Indiana Green, Frank Juarez Gallery, Sheboygan, WI
2014 HEAD/HAND/HAMMER, Metropolitan Capital, Chicago, IL
2012
Gloria Mundi: Industry of the Ordinary, Chicago Cultural Center, Chicago, IL
Baltimore Contemporary Print Fair, Baltimore Museum of Art, Baltimore, MD (Manneken Press)
New Prints 2011/Autumn, Visual Art Center, University of Texas, Austin, TX
2011
TX Contemporary Art Fair, Houston, TX (Manneken Press)
Artists of Manneken Press, Peoria Contemporary Art Center, Peoria, IL
New Prints 2011/Autumn, International Print Center New York, NY
NEXT/Art Chicago, Chicago, IL (Manneken Press)
In The House: Sculpture for the Home, Northern Illinois University Art Museum, Dekalb, IL
Faculty Biennial, Illinois State University, Normal, IL
2010 Illinois Wesleyan Faculty Show, Collaboration with L J Douglas
2009 Faculty Biennial, Illinois State University, Normal, IL
2006
Eight Contemporary Views, Peoria Art Guild, Peoria, IL
Projects 2006, Pittsburgh Society of Sculpture Exhibition, PPG Wintergarden, Pittsburgh, PA
Voices from the Warehouse District, Sponsored by the Dubuque Museum of Art, Dubuqe, Iowa
2004
Project MOBILIVRE-BOOKMOBILE, touring exhibition of artist books, zines, and independent publications in a vintage Airstream, trailer. The Artist’s Book “Lincoln’s Lost Ear”, by Gary Justis and LJ Douglas was included in this traveling exhibition. The BOOKMOBILE visited more than 45 venues in Canada and the USA.
2003
Industrial, Sonnenschein Gallery, Lake Forest College, Lake Forest, IL
The Me in Team, Bradley University, Peoria, IL
SCULPT, McLean County Art Center, Bloomington, IL
Exquisite Snake, Jan Albino Gallery, Chicago
Exhibition: Cat Chow, Gary Justis, Wesley Kimler, Collaboraction, Chicago
2002 Performative Objects, Kent State University, Kent, OH
2000
Interiors, Renaissance Society, University of Chicago, Chicago, IL
Collections III 2000, International Sculpture Conference, Houston, TX
Libidinal, TBA Gallery, Chicago, IL
Artist Showcase Exposition, Sponsored by Kay Kimpton Gallery, San Francisco, CA
Self- Portraits, Printworks Gallery, Chicago, IL
Drawings by Sculptors, Printworks Gallery, Chicago, IL
Exquisite Corpse, Printworks Gallery, Chicago, IL
Corn on the Curb, community project, Bloomington, IL
1999 Illinois State University Department of Art Faculty Exhibition, Normal, IL
1998
Sculpture on the Move, Lakeview Museum of Arts and Sciences, Peoria, IL
Sound and Vision, Rockford Art Museum, Rockford, IL
Contemporary Abstraction, Klein Art Works, Chicago, IL
1997
Illuminating: Light as Context, Hyde Park Art Center, Chicago, IL
Abstract Confluence, Klein Art Works, Chicago, IL
Art in Chicago 1945-95, Museum of Contemporary Art, Chicago, IL
1996
Gary Justis/Wesley Kimler, TBA, Chicago, IL
The Science of Art, The Art of Science, The Charles Wustum Museum of Art, Racine, WI
New Chicago Furniture IV, Chicago Athenaeum, Museum of Architecture and Design, Chicago, IL
Toy Bomb!, Hyde Park Art Center, Chicago, IL
1994
Artists’ Furniture, Struve Gallery, Chicago, IL
Alterniture, Lorenzo Rodrigas Gallery, Chicago, IL
1993
Abstract: Chicago, Klein Art Works, Chicago
The Nature of the Machine, Chicago Cultural Center, Chicago
Landscape Exhibition, Thomas Blackman Gallery, Chicago
1992
P.U.L.S.E., National Exhibition of Kinetic Sculpture, Edwin A. Ulrich Museum of Art, Wichita State University, Wichita, KS
Light and Sound, Milwaukee Institute of Art and Design, Milwaukee, WI
Two Sculptors, Kutztown University, Kutztown, PA
1991 Light Works, Evanston Art Center, Evanston, IL
1990 BIOkinetic: Six Sculptors, University Galleries, Illinois State University, Normal, IL
1989
Chicago Artists in the European Tradition, Museum of Contemporary Art, Chicago, IL
Milano Internazionale d’Arte Contemporanea, Exposition d’Arte, Milan, Italy
1988 Light Show, Northern Illinois University Gallery, Chicago, IL
1987
Eccentric Machines, Kohler Fine Arts Center, Sheboygan, WI
Individuals, CompassRose Gallery, Chicago, IL
Then and Now, N.A.M.E. Gallery, Chicago, IL
1986 Physics, Piezo Electric Gallery, New York, NY
1985
Modern Machines, Whitney Museum of American Art at Philip Morris, NY
Convergence: Mind, Myth and Material, Peter Miller Gallery, Chicago, IL
Alternative Spaces, A History in Chicago, Museum of Contemporary Art, Chicago, IL
1984
Sculpture Chicago ’84, Burnham Park, Chicago, IL
Chicago International Mile of Sculpture 3, Navy Pier, Chicago, IL
36th Illinois Invitational, Illinois State Museum, Springfield, IL
Painting and Sculpture Today, Indianapolis Museum of Art, Indianapolis, IN
Eightieth Exhibition by Artists of Chicago & Vicinity, Art Institute of Chicago, IL
Site Sculpture 2: Jenny Holzer, Gary Justis, Sandy Rosen, Herron School of Art, Indianapolis, IN
Janet Cooling, Gary Justis, Michael O’Brien, Illinois Wesleyan University, Bloomington, IL
1983
Castles: 13 Sculptors, Marianne Deson Gallery, Chicago, IL
Devices: An Exhibition of Technological Art, University of Wisconsin, Madison, WI
Chicago International Mile of Sculpture 2, Navy Pier, Chicago, IL
Atlas and Odalisque, Randolph Street Gallery, Chicago, IL
1982
Desiring Machines: Eight Kinetic Sculptors, N.A.M.E. Gallery, Chicago, IL
Opening News Doors, Randolph Street Gallery, Chicago, IL
Summer Show, Marianne Deson Gallery, Chicago, IL
Mayor Byrne’s Mile of Sculpture, Navy Pier, Chicago, IL
1981
Hyde Park Hat Show, Hyde Park Art Center, Chicago, IL
Machines by Gary Justis, Drawings by Paul Kranaik, Randolph Street Gallery, Chicago, IL
Loop Show, Fischer Building, Chicago, IL
Fantasy Appliance Show, Columbia College, Chicago, IL
1980
Earth Week Exhibition, Northwestern University, Evanston, IL
Dimensions Variable, The New Museum of Art, New York, NY
1979 The Fellowship Exhibition, The School of the Art Institute of Chicago, Chicago, IL
1978 Limon, Threshold of Perception, Art Research Center, Kansas City, MO
AWARDS AND HONORS:
2016 First Place winner of Los Angeles Center for Digital Art International Juried Competition
2005 Nomination: Louis Comfort Tiffany Award
2001 Illinois Arts Council, Individual Artist’s Grant, Sculpture
1990 National Endowment for the Arts, Individual Artist’s Fellowship: Sculpture
1984 National Endowment for the Arts, Individual Artist’s Fellowship: Sculpture
1984 Illinois Art Council, Individual Artist’s Grant: Sculpture
1984 Sculpture Chicago ’84, Chicago, IL
1979 Edward L. Ryerson Fellowship Award, School of the Art Institute of Chicago, Chicago, IL
1978 Tuition Scholarship, School of the Art Institute of Chicago, Chicago, IL
COLLECTIONS:
Museum of Modern Art, special Artist’s Book Collections, New York, NY
National Gallery of Art, Washington, DC
New York Public Library, Special Collections, New York, NY
Fogg Museum, Harvard University, Boston, MA
School of the Art Institute of Chicago, Joan Flasch Artist’s Book Collection, Chicago, IL
JP Morgan Chase, New York, NY
Fidelity Investments, Boston, MA
McLean County Historical Society, Bloomington, IL
Midland Center for the Arts, Dow-Corning Museum, Midland, MI
Alexandria Museum of Art, Alexandria, LA
Carson’s International Corporation, Chicago, IL
Durindal, Chicago, IL
Illinois State Museum, Springfield, IL
Krannert Art Museum, Champaign, IL
Museum of Contemporary Art, Chicago, IL
Rockford Art Museum, Rockford, IL (promised gift)
Sierra Systems, Chicago, IL
Stone Container Corporation, Chicago, IL
U.S. Equities Corporation, Chicago, IL
COMMISSIONS:
2001-2005 World Engine, sculpture commissioned by Illinois Capital Development Board for College of Business, Illinois State University, Normal Campus, Normal IL
1992 Leafgate Garden. Co-designer with LJ Douglas for a park construction project commissioned by the City of Evanston, IL and The Evanston Arts Council
1989 Compendium. American Airlines Terminal at O’Hare International Airport, Chicago. Commissioned by Carson International, Inc.
1986 Hyperfunctional City. United Airlines Terminal at O’Hare International Airport, Chicago. Commissioned by Carson International, Inc.
BIBLIOGRAPHY:
Gary Justis, Photographer’s Companion Magazine, China, Nov. 2020, (illus. pgs. 76-79
David Roth, Mechanical and Luminous, The Artwork of Gary Justis, Esthetic Lens, January, 2018
Eddie Breitweiser, Heads on Horizon at Ramp-Arts, Sight Specific on-line Magazine, February 2018.
Khan, Amreen. Studio Magazine, Vol. 2, Issue 2, pg. 7—8.
Cassidy, Victor. “Gary Justis at the Elmhurst Art Museum”, Art in America, April, 2008, pg. 172, (ill.).
Chicago Public Radio, Gary Justis interviewed by Cherie Caswell Dost Sunday, November 11, 2007.
Wirth, Steven. “Tip of the Week” Gary Justis. Alfedena Gallery, September 2007.
Kimler, Wesley. “Plush! Chicago’s Long Time Premier Sculptor Lights it up Yet Again! September 17, 2007.
Shaw, Kurt. “Sculpture Stylings”, Pittsburgh Tribune-Review, Thursday, June 15, 2006. (ill.).
Thomas, Mary. “Sculpture Garden: Impressive Exhibition By A Dozen Artists Is On Display At PPG Wintergarden”, Pittsburgh Post-Gazette, Sunday, June 11, 2006.
Richardson, Katie. “Gary Justis Sculpts the Mechanics of Life into Art that Moves”, American Concierge Magazine, Winter 2005/2006, Volume 1, issue 2, pg. 32, (ill.).
Arney, Steve. “Industrial art, Local sculptor’s work to grace atrium of new ISU building”, Pantagraph, Wednesday, November 3, 2004, pg. 1 F, (ill.).
Campaign Report News Letter, Illinois State University, Summer 2003, Volume 2, Number 1, pg. 3.
Ullrich, Polly. “Gary Justis, Klein Art Works”, Sculpture Magazine, September 2001, pp. 67-68.
Holg, Garrett. “Gary Justis, Klein Art Works”, ARTnews, March 2001, p. 163.
Arney, Steve. “Art by the Book”, Pantagraph, Focus section.
Brunetti, John. “Gary Justis, Klein Art Works”, New Art Examiner, March 2001, p. 48.
Hawkins, Margaret. “Sculptor Evaluates Shapes of Things”, Chicago Sun-Times, Friday, Dec. 15, 2000, pg. 20W.
Ullrich, Polly. “Gary Justis”, Metalsmith Magazine, Fall, 1997, p.32.
Holg, Garrett. “Gary Justis, Tough, Klein”., ARTnews, April 1996.
Yood, James. Essay on the work of Gary Justis for “Incrementum, selected works, 1979-1996, Klein Art Works and Tough Gallery, Chicago, January, 1996.
Artner, Alan; Whir, Shiver. “Chug: 17 years of poetic Justis Sculptures”, Chicago Tribune, January 19, 1996, section 7, p. 56.
Baldwin, Bruce. “Gary Justis”, New Art Examiner, April, 1996, p.43.
Luecking, Stephen. “Chicago Review”, Sculpture Magazine, July-August 1993, p. 57.
Hixon, Kathryn. “Chicago in Review”, Arts Magazine, May 1991, p. 107.
Postiglione, Corey. “Summer Hydra”, Dialogue, November/December 1989, p. 34.
Schulze, Franz. “Hell-bent on Tradition”, New Art Examiner, Summer 1989, p. 27.
Warren, Lynne. “The Persistence of Modernism”, exhibition catalog for Chicago Artists in the European Tradition, Museum of Contemporary Art, February 1989.
Yood, James. “Gary Justis at CompassRose”, Artforum, December 1988, p. 127.
McCracken, David. “Two Sculptors Father Invention and Form”, Chicago Tribune, Friday, September 23, 1988, p. 46.
Kirshner, Judith Russi. “Mythos, Beyond Function”, catalogue, Alexandria Museum of Art, Alexandria, LA, 1986.
Reginato, James. Art and Antiques, New York, April 1986.
Bonesteel,Michael. “Gary Justis at the Chicago Public Library Cultural Center” ,Art in America,June 1985.
Golden, Deven. “Hyperfunctional Content”, catalogue, Chicago Cultural Center, 1985.
Cameron, Dan. “A New Generation of Chicago Artists”, ARTnews, October 1984.
McCormick, Carlo. “Loisadia in Hoosierland”, New York Beat, May 23, 1984.
Kirshner, Judith Russi. “Gary Allen Justis: Museum of Science and Industry”, Artforum, December 1982.
Thorson, Alice. “Animating Art: The Kinetic Sculpture of Gary Justis”, New Art Examiner, Chicago, November 1982.
Glatt, Cara. “Sculpture from Springs, Strobes”. Hyde Park Herald, Chicago, October 1982.
Artner, Alan. “Bright Futures: Five Local Artists Who Bear Watching”, Chicago Tribune, November 22, 1981.
Logan, Thomas Schwartzman. “Dimensions Variable”, catalogue, The New Museum of Art, New York, October 1979.
Gary Justis, 2016