MY WORK weaves some qualities of Western Art with beautiful complexities of Mesoamerican representation. Occasionally I will infuse a portrait with Prehispanic elements that complement both my heritage & design. A main artery of my work is engaged in configuring a synthesis between opposites. By combining materials that are seemingly different, or fusing aesthetics that are derived from cultures in polarity, the intention of each work is a search for harmony & unity. This focus opens the space to explore newfound areas of technical & thematic experimentation, alluding to the past & present by means of mostly organic material.

With an optimal use of natural oils, stains & resins, various animal & synthetic brushes, particular mineral, synthetic & vegetable-based pigments; with a combination of graphite, charcoal, chalk & clay-based pencils; all of these materials are utilized to create the likeness of a portrait or a figure rendered on hand-prepared substrates.

It is through the application of color & the construction of form that I employ an indirect painting technique to engage & stimulate an audience. The choice of my palette is often reduced to a few earth colors that occasionally open up chromatically. Oftentimes I will fade out of color & paint altogether, working solely in dry-media to present form in a completely different way. The overall aim of my work is to provide a visceral & thought-provoking experience for viewers.

Isaac Galvan, 2024

CURRICULUM VITAE

Solo Exhibitions

2024

  • The Banquet, Angelica Kauffman Gallery, Garrett Museum of Art, Garrett, IN

2019

  • Dreamwork, Humboldt Park Boathouse, Chicago, IL

Selected Group Shows

2024

  • Made in Chicago, Gallery of Contemporary Mosaics, Chicago, IL

  • Miniatures Conjure Delight, AKG at the Garrett Museum of Art, Garrett, IN

  • Gold Medal Show, Palette & Chisel Academy of Fine Art, Chicago, IL

  • Dawn is a Headspace, PWG at Mana Contemporary, Chicago, IL

  • Native Tradition, HAZ Cooperative Studios, Chicago, IL

2023

  • Semi-Annual Juried Exhibition, Oak Park Arts League, Oak Park, IL

  • Art on Track, Berwyn Public Art Initiative, Berwyn, IL

  • Mini Juried Exhibition, Triple R Gallery, Chicago, IL

  • The Monochrome Show, Fulton Street Collective, Chicago, IL

2022

  • National Hispanic Heritage Month, Triple R Gallery, Chicago, IL

Collections

2024

  • Bolingbrook Art Museum, Permanent Collection, Bolingbrook, IL

Commissions

2024

  • Public Art Commission, Youthful Expressions (Acrylic on exterior masonry, 90’ x 15’), commercial mural, Youth Crossroads Inc., Berwyn, IL

2023

  • Public Art Commission, Papalotl (Oil on exterior panel, 8’ x 4’), large-scale painting, Berwyn Public Arts Initiative, Berwyn, IL

2011

  • Private Art Commission, Two Americas (Oil on exterior masonry, 45’ x 20’), residential mural, Chicago, IL

Awards

2023

  • Annual Scholarship, The Palette & Chisel Academy of Fine Arts, Chicago, IL

  • Honorable Mention Award for Mini Juried Exhibition, Triple R Gallery, Chicago, IL

Education

2024

  • New York Academy of Art, Online: Figure Drawing: Concept & Perception

  • Palette & Chisel Academy of Fine Arts, Cast Drawing

2019

  • Palette & Chisel Academy of Fine Arts, Oil Painting: Still Life & Master Copies

2010

  • BA, Northeastern Illinois University