"No Paint Left Behind," a one-night art exhibition of new paintings by Erik R. Sosa will be unveiled Friday, Feb. 24 at the Second Presbyterian Church, 1936 S. Michigan Ave. in Chicago. It is part of the 2nd Out in the Open Sleep In to benefit 13 homeless agencies seeing youth.
Sosa is a self-taught Mexican-American artist, born in Mexico City and raised in the Uptown neighborhood of Chicago. Today, he lives with his partner of 15 years and two adopted children in Kenosha, Wisconsin.
The Feb. 24 opening is 5 to 8 p.m., with 100 percent of the proceeds going to the non-profit agencies. The opening reception will feature music from the Chicago subway a cappella group, The Remedy, and a first look at the exciting new work by Sosa. The Out in the Open Sleep In program starts at 7 p.m. While the Sleep In is open to registered participants at www.sleepinchicago.org, the show portion is open to all for a $20 donation.
"No Paint Left Behind" is a kaleidoscope of paintings, ranging in form and style, that uses all of the acrylic paint coming from the tubes. When mounting an exhibition, Sosa feels each show offers him the unique opportunity to create an atmosphere with his canvases serving as the background to inspire the audience. His past work has been compared to Kandinsky, Harring and Pollock, but Sosa's new exhibition showcases his own unique style by creating 3D acrylic floral images.
"As an abstract expressionist, I don't define myself to any one particular style," said Sosa. "I'm continually inspired from all directions of life." Through his combination of bright colors, geometric designs, organic shapes and/or free-hand motion, Sosa produces an art style that is fresh and vibrant. "I never really know what I'll be painting or creating," says Sosa. "You could say each canvas starts of as a page in a coloring book. After a while, unused paint starts to dry and in turn I use those bits and pieces to create 3D floral images."
Sosa's passion for art is carried over to his passion of supporting the non-profit community. In the past he has donated pieces of work to benefit such diverse organizations as Center on Halsted, Victor C. Neumann Association, AIDS Foundation of Chicago, Vital Bridges, Spanish Coalition for Jobs and Heartland, to name just a few.
Sosa earned the coveted VOX/Out Emerging Voices of Style + Design award this year. To commemorate its fifth year, VOX and Out will be honoring artists and designers who are just beginning to establish a name for themselves . The first of five honorees nationwide, Sosa will receive the VOX/Out Emerging Voices of Style + Design Award at Sidetrack Chicago July 27.
For more information about Erik R. Sosa, his work, and upcoming exhibition visit www.eriksosa.com .
