Contemporary Wood Artist
Gustav Reyes Inc
2233 S. Throop St. Chicago Il. 60608
312.788.8075
www.gustavreyes.com
gus@gustavreyes.com
Education/Artist Training
SAIC The School of the Art Institute of Chicago 1986-1988
Exhibitions
2012 Racine Art Museum Out On A Limb: Contemporary Wood Jewelry Feb 26 - June 17, 2012
2012 The American Craft Council Show, Baltimore, MD Feb 24th - 26th, 2011
2012 Bruce Museum "Bijoux: The Origins and Impact of Jewelry" July 16, 2011 - February 26, 2012 Greenwich, CT
2011 Craft 2 Wear 40 Artists of the Smithsonian Craft Show. October 22-23, 2011
2011 SOFA Chicago Aaron Faber Gallery / New York, NY November 4th - 6th 2011 Chicago Ill
2011 From Minimal to Bling: Contemporary Studio Jewelry / Boston, MA Nov 4 – Dec 30, 2011
2011 Indulge at the Bellevue Arts Museum, Bellevue, Wa February 4th-5th-6th 2011
2011 New York International Gift Fair Handmade® DesignerJan. 29 - Feb. 3, 2011 New York, NY
2011 The American Craft Council Show, Baltimore, MD
2011 The Smithsonian Craft Show at the National Building Museum April 14 - 17, 2011Washington, DC
2010 New York International Gift Fair Handmade® Designer New York, NY
2010 "NEW ARTISTS, FOR THE NEW DECADE" - May 14 - June 6 Patina Gallery, Santa Fe, NM
2010 The 52nd annual Art Fair on the Square July 10-11 Madison Museum of Contemporary Art, Madison, WI
2010 The American Craft Council Show, Baltimore, MD
2009 The Philadelphia Museum of Art Craft Show, Pennsylvania, PA
2009 The 51st annual Art Fair on the Square Madison Museum of Contemporary Art, Madison, WI
Current gallery representations and/or agent
Patina Gallery, Santa Fe, NM
The National Building Museum Washington, DC
Gallery Lulo Healdsburg, CA
The John Paul Getty Museum, Los Angeles, CA
El Museo del Barrio, New York, NY
Pennsylvania Academy of Fine Arts, Philadelphia, PA
Patina Gallery, Santa Fe, NM
Gallery Loupe-- a gallery for Contemporary Studio Jewelry, Montclair, NJ
The Metropolitan Opera - Met Opera Shop "Collection", New York, NY
Art Gallery of Ontario Musée des beaux-arts de l’Ontario shopAGO, Toronto Ontario Canada
San Francisco Museum of Craft+Design SFMC+D Museum Store, San Francisco, CA
Taboo Studio, San Diego, CA
Mariposa Gallery, Albuquerque, NM
Bibliography
Metalsmith Magazine vol.32/ no.3 /2013
Art Jewelry Magazine - September 2010
Lapidary Journal Jewelry Artist Magazine August 2010 / Trends: Wood by Annie Osburn
Lapidary Journal Jewelry Artist Magazine August 2010 / Wood Working Tips for Jewelers by Gustav Reyes
The New York Times - Warm, Honest, Wooden 2009
1000 Creative Reuses - 2009
Chicago Sun Times - Jewels of the city 2008
Woodshop News - WITH THIS RING… 2007
Professional Memberships
American Craft Council
My training and personal development have led me to believe that humans surpass biological processes by creating. The desire to create is the vehicle by which we, as humans, extend our minds and souls beyond the limits of our physical selves. Through the material and creation of the work, I consider the complexities of the life cycle. I recognize the truth that we are more of the natural world than of the created world. I parallel the ephemeral nature of wood to the experience of life and ask the viewer to consider the stages of life that are often overlooked by society. I have a deep appreciation for nature’s beauty and rather than working against the grain, I work with it.
I place great importance on creating jewelry that demonstrates a deep appreciation and consideration for our natural world. To create my work, I use salvaged wood that is repurposed. I have incorporated wood from a bass violin and extra wood obtained from other wood workers. I also use Forest Stewardship Council (FSC) Certified wood. I use production methods that reduce waste by 80%. I am dedicated to preserving Nature’s infinite beauty and continue to search for more sustainable techniques.
I was exposed to the creation of art as a young boy on the southwest side of Chicago. After working long hours as a laborer, my father spent his free time creating jewelry. This special time passed watching my father would be some of my happiest childhood memories.
As a young man, I attended the Art Institute of Chicago where my horizons and understanding of art were greatly broadened. I also spent time at the Chicago Bauhaus Academy where I developed a strong understanding of, and appreciation for, architectural woodworking and the finer aspects of woodworking.
My formal training, hands-on experience, and years of dedication to my craft have allowed me to find the point where nature breathes through the form, striking a balance between the contemporary and the ancient and crafting fine art that is deeply personal, contextual and alive.
Curriculum Vitae
Training
Philosophy
Copyright © 2007 - 2013 Gustav Reyes Inc
