Renda Book

Joseph Renda Jr.
"Biophilia"

Joseph Renda Jr. is a Chicago-based artist whose
paintings capture the inherent connection humans have
with the natural world. His work is highly realistic, bringing
detailed depictions to life by juxtaposing them alongside
surrealistic imagery. He urges his audience to surrender to
nature’s “pull” and connect with their roots while viewing his
paintings.
Inspired by leaders in surrealism including Salvador
Dali and Rene Magritte, Renda often depicts the human form
interwoven with illusive natural elements. His use of classical
oil painting methods combined with modern mediums, such
as spray paint, provide his work with a distinct combination
of old and new artistic techniques. Some of his pieces are
transferred to large scale murals, placing his work alongside
its most significant inspiration—the outside world.
Renda earned a Bachelor of Fine Arts specializing in oil
painting from the American Academy of Art. He is represented
by Chicago’s Vertical Gallery, curated and shown in numerous
group exhibitions both national and internationally, created
public murals, and has had his work published in various
magazines and online blogs.
June 2020
Jrenda-art.com | Jrendaart@gmail.com | @j.renda_artist

Biophilia
“Humanity’s innate desire to connect with nature and natural environments”
Joseph Renda’s Biophilia captures the innate human desire to connect with
nature through a surrealistic lens, and tells a story that looks toward a greater
collective future. His work transforms landscapes into intricate pieces that
blur the lines between humanity and the natural world. The human subjects
are depicted with characteristics found in nature, portraying flora and fauna
in illusive, ‘dreamlike’ scenes. In this way, Renda emphasizes that nature is a
welcoming setting for the human form. Biophilia urges viewers to explore the
human race’s continuous impact on nature, and calls to mind our duty to keep
this connection thriving for generations to come.

“Overgrown” 2019
16”x12” oIl/spray-paint on aluminum composite panel

Joseph Renda Jr.
Mural at Une Année Brewery in Niles, IL
Photo by: Oscar Gomez

“The Lovers"(Study) 2019
5”x7” ink on paper
“The Lovers” photo reference

“The Lovers” 2020
21”x29” oIl/spray-paint on aluminum composite panel

“Looking Forward” 2019
72”x36” oIl/spray-paint on aluminum composite panel

“Looking Forward”(Study) 2019
7"x5" Ink on paper

“For most of history, man has had to fight nature to survive; in this
century he is beginning to realize that, in order to survive, he must
protect it. “
~ Jacques-Yves Cousteau

“Beginning From an End” 2019
14”x11” oIl/spray-paint on aluminum composite panel

“Forged Through Years of Rough Waters” 2019
13”x9” oIl/spray-paint on aluminum composite panel

“Don’t Let Me Drown” 2020
13”x9” oIl/spray-paint on aluminum composite panel

“Safe Place”2019
12”x12” oIl/spray-paint on aluminum composite panel

“Safe Place”(Study) 2019
8”x8” Ink on paper

Studio
Photo by: Jasmin Shah

“A Place Called Home”(Study) 2019
6"x6" Ink on paper

“A Place Called Home” 2020
48"x48" oIl/spray-paint on aluminum composite panel

“On Look Out” 2019
20”x16” oIl/spray-paint on aluminum composite panel

“The mind loves the unknown. It loves images whose meaning is
unknown, since the meaning of the mind itself is unknown.”
- Rene Magritte

“Forged Through Years of Rough Waters”(Study) 2019
7"x5" Ink on paper

“Overgrown”(Study) 2019
7"x5" Ink on paper

Joseph Renda Jr.
Mural at Une Année Brewery in Niles, IL
Photo by: Oscar Gomez

“Gaze”2019
22”x14” oIl/spray-paint on aluminum composite panel

“Early Birds Gets the Tree” 2020
10”x11” oIl/spray-paint on aluminum composite panel

“Cut Down” 2019
13”x11” oIl/spray-paint on aluminum composite panel

“Humanity is part of nature, a species that evolved among other
species. The more closely we identify ourselves with the rest of life,
the more quickly we will be able to discover the sources of human
sensibility and acquire the knowledge on which an enduring ethic, a
sense of preferred direction, can be built.”
- Edward O. Wilson

“Worship” 2019
22”x14” oIl/spray-paint on aluminum composite panel

“Reaching Out ” 2019
12”x12” oIl on aluminum composite panel

“Looking Through” 2019
8”x8” oIl on aluminum composite panel

“Home Made”(Study) 2019
10"x5" Ink on paper

“Fungus”(Study) 2019
10"x8" Ink on paper

“Truth Be Seen” 2019
8”x8” oIl/spray-paint on aluminum composite panel

“The human mind evolved to believe in the gods. It did not evolve to
believe in biology”
- Edward O. Wilson

Education:
Bachelors of Fine Arts, Specializing in Oil Painting, American Academy of Art, Chicago, IL
Graduate 2018
Gallery Representation:
Vertical Gallery, Chicago IL
2017-present
Solo Exhibits:
“Biophilia”- Vertical Gallery, Chicago 2020
Curatorial Experience:
Complex II- CC’s Art Garage, Chicago, Curator/Artist 2018
Complex- CC’s Art Garage, Chicago, Curator/Artist 2017
Up and Coming Chicago Artists Showcase-Curator&Artist-Genesis Art Supply,Chicago 2016
International Exhibits:
“Dog Project” Traveling Group Exhibit, London 2020
“12”x12” Group Exhibit- The Stockroom Gallery, Melbourne AU 2019
POW WOW!, Thinkspace Gallery, Hawai’I
12”x12” Group Exhibit- The Stockroom Gallery, Melbourne, AU 2018
12”x12” Group Exhibit- Thinkspace Gallery, SCOPE, Miami, FL
Juried Exhibitions:
“Annual Juried Show”-Line Dot Editions, Chicago, IL 2019
“Counterparts” – Vertical Gallery, Chicago, IL 2018
“Holiday Group Show”- Line Dot Editions 2017
“Prime 8 Art Event”- House of Vans, Chicago, IL
Selected Group Exhibitions:
“Landscapes”- Vertical Gallery, Chicago 2019
“4th Annual Group Exhibit”-Line Dot Editions, Chicago
“Slap Show VOL 2”- Vault Gallery, Chicago
“6 Year Anniversary Group Show” – Vertical Gallery, Chicago
“Counterparts”- Vertical Gallery, Chicago 2018
“Portrait Group Show”- Vertical Gallery, Chicago 2017
“Fight or Flight”-Chicago Truborn, Chicago
“Holiday Pop Up”- Vertical Gallery, Chicago 2016
“Can I Kick it”-Chicago Truborn, Chicago
“Pop Up Show”-Vertical Gallery, Chicago
“Smalls Show”-Paper Crown Gallery, Arlington Heights
Publications:
“Voyage Chicago” Featured Artist Interview (Blog) 2018
“Creative Bloch” Art Magazine (Print)
“Chicago Gallery News” (Print)
“Callosum Magazine” (Blog) 2017
ArtBuilds LLC
Founder – Owner
2018-present

Photo by: Jasmin Shah

Published by Vertical Gallery, June 2020
Limited Edition of 100
First Printing
Photo Credit:
Jasmin Shah
Oscar Gomez
Artist Statement/Bio Editorial Support:
Gianna Annunzio
Vertical Gallery
1016 N Western Ave.
Chicago, IL 60622 USA
1.773.697.3846
Patrick Hull, Owner/Curator
patrick@verticalgallery.com
www.verticalgallery.com