St Charles, Illinois – 116 Gallery curator and event producer Deanna Gibson attended an art opening of artist Voytek and was entranced by his paintings. The idea to combine his art opening with pediatric cancer fundraising came later.
“As my eyes danced around the room as Voytek’s paintings flooded my senses. The light, the subjects, the colors, the sheer scale evoked a journey with no end on the horizon. As I poured over each one, I question whether he even uses a brush. I believe he has a connection with the paint and the surface that defines the laws of physics.”, said Gibson.
Voyek’s art has a few common themes, one of which is time. The one thing we all strive to have more of and spend wisely. When she had this realization about his work a conversation she had at the Got Hope Gala came flooding back. She spoke with Stacey Wahlberg, President & Co-Founder of Cal’s Angels, about a new test that would find out exactly what would be the best plan of action for these kids in treating their cancer. She spoke of one girl who, after years of unsuccessful chemo, found out through this test that she was chemo resistant. She would have had so much more time in remission if her doctors had known that. Time is what they are striving to give these children, time to grow, time to play, time with their family and friends.
When Gibson approached Voytek with the idea to combine his opening reception with Cal’s Angels he agreed whole-heartedly. “Yes! I would support this cause, thank you so much.”, said Voytek.
Voytek received Paintings and Lithography Masters Degree in Fine Arts from Strzeminski Fine Art Academy. He has spent almost thirty years traveling into the secret world of visual communication. “It isn’t always a pleasant adventure but, I consider myself very lucky. I do what I love.”, said Voytek.
Having participated in over forty individual and group shows across the US, Chicago, New York, California, Colorado, Florida and Europe, Poland, Argentina, Chile to name a few. Also, an invitation to Art Basel this year and carried in galleries across the globe.
Gibson wants to shed light on the depths the art world can achieve, “When interviewing an artist in a recent show, she said to me, “Artists are the soul of society”. That is what I want to achieve with each art exhibition. Most people only see the surface of art, but there is so much more to uncover. It can protest, it can raise awareness, it can celebrate, it can comfort, it can open minds and bring people together. Art is the one area that no matter who you are or what your background, you can enjoy it, be affected by it and ultimately, it can bring you to action.”
Gibson added, “It’s win-win, a beautiful piece of original artwork hanging in your home and knowing each time you look at, you helped kids fighting cancer.”
Deanna Gibson is herself a photographer & artist, curator/event producer for 116 Gallery downtown St. Charles, and interviewer of artists of all genres for the St. Charles Arts Council.
Art Exhibition in Support of Cal’s Angels
Voytek
The Tides of Time
Opening Reception Friday, February 17, 6-9pm
Show on view February 17 - April 2, 2023
Contact Information
email: [email protected]
cell: 630.740.9299
Instagram: @116gallery , @deannagibsonart
Photos provided by 116 Gallery/Press Release