About the Artist

Robert Stanley is a painter and computer artist based in the Chicago area.

Although born in Florida to artistic parents, an Army Air Corps father who liked to draw and a mother who had won voice competitions, he did not do anything artistic until becoming a monk, where Art was introduced to young candidates. He got his undergraduate degree at the University of Dayton, then taught in Cleveland and Cincinnati, exhibiting in these cities.

After several years, he left the religious Order, teaching at the University of Dayton and Earlham College for a year. Realizing that he needed a tenure-track college position to be able to have enough time to focus on making art, he received a Master's degree from Pratt Institute in New York.

He has exhibited artworks around the USA and Europe, while teaching college in Pennsylvania and Illinois, including The William Penn Museum in Harrisburg PA, Musée d'Art Contemporain, Chamaliere, France, Midwest Museum of Art, The Brauer Museum, Ft. Wayne Museum of Art, Koehnline Museum, Hyde Park Art Center, and Evanston (IL) Art Center.

His artwork has been written about in 2001 International Digital Art Awards, L'Association Musee D'Art Contemporain "Une Brève et Ample Énonciation," the Koehnline Museum of Art's Artwalk at Oakton, the Chicago Tribune, and The New Art Examiner.

Brauer Museum Curator Gregg Hertzlieb wrote that the work "sets up a dialogue between observation and invention, realism and abstraction that grows into a lively, even stormy exchange."

The trajectory of his work has developed over the years. The first major series explored open doorways, inspired by a glance out his office door at the University of Dayton, to catch sight of a noise. The hall was empty, but the idea of something unknown having just happened remained. Later work, keeping the same concept of something unknown, revolved around borders beyond what can be seen, and on to chaotic connections.

Recent pieces spread people, places, and events around the canvas, the center left open, wondering about connections. The viewer is invited to work out relationships between the objects, and between himself and the art.

Stanley's influences are broad: Johns, Kandinsky, Diebenkorn, Sally Mann, and Bill Viola, as well as biologist E.O. Wilson and physicist Edward Lorenz. The compositions evoke a disjointed world, yet connections between objects are suggested, enigmas in the chaos of life.

Now living near Chicago in a wooded area along the lake, he combines images of people, the city, and nature in personal and thoughtful adventures.

The works jostle images of contemporary and timeless people, nature, science, and abstract thinking and emotions.

They reflect diverse influences, such as the artists Johns, Cornell, Diebenkorn, Sally Mann, and Bill Viola, as well as biologist E.O. Wilson and the philosopher Heraclitus.

They dance between chaos and order, as does the world. Energies, often unnoticed, flow in this world. For example, the northern lights glow because of forces we cannot see. Prairies in the Midwest were once under an ocean, and before that were mountains. These hidden energies continue to this day, stimulating the world.

Hidden forces flow through humans, too. Enigmatic currents bring people together or separate them, bring desperation, or give meaning to life. Objects, spaces, and dissonances in my works are full of emotion, order, and enigma.

2022 Featured Art, February, Hopkinson Journal of the Arts, https://www.hopkinsonarts.com/featuredartists

2021 "Reality Shift," Mid-America College Art Association Online Gallery, http://www.macaart.org/exhibitions.html, 2/20-8/3/2021

2016
Group , "words|matter—a show highlighting artists books," wordsmatter, Chicago IL
Juried Group, "Indiana Now 2016: The Bicentennial," Art Museum of Greater Lafayette, Lafayette, IN
One Person:, "Small Works—Long Time, Works Reflecting Each Period," Ellen Firme Gallery, Beverly Shores, IN

2015
Ostra Gymnasiet, Group Exhibition, “In Recognition of Malala Yousafzai,” Skogas, Sweden
SSAA Gallery, Group Invitational,“Art in Dazzling Dimensions,” Michigan City, IN

2013
Solo, Brauer Museum of Art, Valparaiso University, Valparaiso, IN, May 17 to Aug. 11th

2011
Substation No. 9, Invitational, "The Stone Project," Hammond, IN, July 15 to Sept. 8

2010
Evanston Art Center, Evanston IL, Apr 18 - May 1
Art Cafe, Mirca Art, "Anti-Vanity," February, 2010, Rostov-on-don, Russi

2009
Solo Exhibition "Flow–Partial Count," Depot Gallery, Beverly Shores, IN, 5/15 to 6/1414
Univeristy of Dayton Studio D Gallery, Group Exhibition, Dayton, OH, May 18—June 13
4'33" Performed Tacitly, performed Buganvilias, Puerto Vallarta, March 3, 2009
Gallery Tunedal, Group Exhibit, "Manifestation Against Honorary Killings," January 31, Trangsund, Sweden

2008
Platform58_issue001, http://www.platform58.com
Brauer Art Museum, "Recent Acquisitions,"Valparaiso University Center for the Arts, 5/16- 8/4
Lubeznik Center for the Arts, Group Exhibit, “Original, In Black and White,” MC, IN, 4/ 26-7/6
Beverly Arts Center, Group Exhibit, “Around Town, Chicago,” Chicago, IL, May 9 — July 12

2007
Hyde Park Art Center,“Just Good Art,” Group Exhibit, Chicago, IL, Oct 6—21
Solo, “”Oversoul,” Lubeznik Center for the Arts, Michigan City, IN, March 31- May 27
Evanston Art Center, Spring Benefit, Apr 15 - May 12

2006
The Transferred Image, Curated Group Show, 33 Collective Gallery, Chicago, 7/17-8/4 Something to Do with Failure, Curated Group Show, U. St. Francis Gallery, Joliet, IL, 9/29—12/3
Sand, Steel, & Spirit, Curated Group Show, Ft. Wayne, IN Museum of Art Apr. 15—Jun. 30

2005
"Contemporary Realism," Prairie State College, 10/4-11/8 2005
62nd Annual Salon Show, NIAA, Munsster, IN 9/11-10/23 2005 2005
"Roaming Art Exhibition,: Lubeznik Center for the Arts, 6/1-12/7
"Hooked Up," Columbia College Book Arts, Chicago, IL, Jan. 14 - Feb. 19

2004
One-Person, "Crossing the Digital Divide," Chesterton Art Center, Chesterton, IN,
Nov. 1-30
Regional 2004, Midwest Museum of Art, Elkhart, IN, Oct. 15 - Nov. 30
Chicago Art Open, Chicago, IL, Oct. 10-31
61st Annual Salon Show, Juried, Northern Indiana Art Center, Munster, IN, Sept.12-Oct.24 ART COMP 2004, Juried, Merit Award, Chesterton Art Center, Chesterton, IN, Aug. 29 - Sept.30
"1+1=One," Invitational (Lubeznik Center for the Arts) site installation, Peterson Farm, LaPorte County, IN, Jul. 24 - Aug. 15
"War and Peace," Ed Paschke juror, Gallery 415, Chicago, IL, Jun. 11-Aug.7
Solo, "It's a Little Late to be Early," Uncle Freddy's Gallery, Hammond, IN, Feb. 6-Mar.1

2003
18th Annual Juried Exhibition, Lubeznik Center for the Arts, Michigan City, IN
Group Show, Gallery 415, 415 N. LaSalle, Chicago, IL. June 12 - Aug. 15
"Exhibition of American Art," Group Show, Rehabilitation Institute of Chicago, juror James Rondeau, Feb.27 - Mar. 13
"Cubicle" Invitational, Dorman + Torluemke Hammond, IN Feb. 13-16
International Digital Art, Guest Artist, http://www.internationaldigitalart.com/guests/guestart.html

2002
New Dimensions, Invitational exhibit, mARTketplace, Around The Coyote Space, Chicago, IL, Nov. 1-16
Solo, "Bracketed," W.A.Koehnline Museum, Oakton College, Des Plaines, IL June 12-July 11 World Digital Art, http://www.worlddigitalart.com

2001
Chicago Art Open, SAIC Gallery, Chicago, IL. Oct. 19-27
Solo: "Fries or Mashed," Blank Art Center, Michigan City, IN, Apr 21 - May 21
International Digital Art, Top 100, http://www.idaprojects.org/IDAA/2001/index_5.htm

2000
One Person, Center Valery Larbeaud, Vichy, FRANCE, October 7 - Nov 28
Competition 2000, Honors Award, , Chesterton Art Gallery, Chesterton, IN, Aug 26 - Sept 30

1999
Artists at the Governor's Mansion, Indiana Governor's Mansion, Indianapolis, IN, 11/5 - 12/23
Black & White & Shades of Gray, Invitational, Center for the Visual & Performing Arts, Munster IN, Mar 12 - Apr 11

1998
55th Annual Salon, Award of Merit, Center for the Visual & Performing Arts, Munster IN, Oct 20 - Nov 24
Solo, Contemporary Art Center of Peoria, Peoria, Illinois, Jul 3 - Aug 23
Digital Concepts, Invitational, Northern Indiana Art Center, Munster, Indiana, Jan 9 - Feb 8

1997
Chamalières Triennial International, Musee d'Art Contemporain, Chamalières, FRANCE, Oct 18 – Nov 30
One Person, John G. Blank Arts Center, Michigan City, IN, Jun 21 - Jul 28

1996
53rd Annual Salon, Center for the Visual & Performing Arts, Munster IN, Oct 20 - Nov 24 Images, Baudeville eZine, Feb & Mar, http://exp1.mobius.net/baudeville/html

1995
Two-person, Joy Horwich Gallery, Chicago, IL Apr 6 — May 11
"Works," Contemporary Artcenter, juried, Arlington Heights, IL, Feb 7 - Mar 2

1994
Chamalières Triennial International, Musee d'Art Contemporain, Chamalières, FRANCE, Oct 13 – Nov 26
"Computer-assisted Art," Matrix Gallery, Chicago IL, Oct 7-28
Joy Horwich Gallery Artists, LaSalle Bank Building Gallery, Chicago IL, Jun 1 - Aug 8

1992
“Mardigraph 92,” (SIGGRAPH multimedia) , Shelter Gallery, Chicago, IL, Feb 29

1991
"Interface." , Olympia & York Atrium Gallery, New York, NY. Sept. 23 - Nov. 16
Computer Artists Invitational, University of Oregon, Portland, OR. Mar. 3 - Apr. 29
Group Show, Joy Horwich Gallery, Chicago, IL. Dec. 8, 1990 - Jan. 4, 1991

1990
7th Annual Midwest Works on Paper, Elgin Community College, Elgin, IL. Oct. 6 - Nov. 2

1988
One-person Show, Joy Horwich Gallery, Chicago, Illinois. Nov 4 - Dec 3

1987
Microcomputer Graphic Arts Show, McAuley Gallery, Mount Mercy College, Cedar Rapids IA. Jan. 13 - 30

1985
Current Visions: A National Survey, Germanow Art Gallery, Rochester NY, Jan 6 - Feb 3, juror: Patterson Sims

1984
Group Show (Invitational), Contemporary Art Workshop, Chicago,IL. Dec 1 '83 - Jan 7 '84

1983
Small Works National 83, Zaner Gallery, Rochester NY. Nov 26 - Dec 30

1981
Multi Media, Countryside Art Center, Arlington Hts. IL. Mar 26 - Apr 2

1980
World Print III, World Print Center, Ft. Mason Center, San Francisco, CA
New Member's Exhibit, NAB Gallery, Chicago IL. May 23 - Jun 21

1979
All On Paper International, AAO Exhibition Gallery, Buffalo, NY
6/6, Artemesia, Chicago, IL

1978
Illinois Regional Print Exhibition, Dittmar Gallery, Northwestern University Evanston IL
Daley's Tomb, Invitational, NAME Gallery, Chicago, IL

1977 Illinois Print and Drawing Competition, William Rainey Harper College, Palatine, IL

1965 Modern Religious Art, University of Dayton, Kennedy Union Gallery, Dayton OH

Brauer Museum of Art, Valparaiso, IN
Embassy of France, Washington, D.C.
Ft. Wayne Museum of Art, Ft. Wayne, IN
IN FOCUS Systems, Wilsonville, OR
Lubeznik Art Center, Michigan City, IN
Koehnline Museum, Des Plaines, IL
Association Mouvement Art Contemporain, Chamalières, France
NiSource, Merrillville, IN
Purdue University Northwest
Rehabilitation Institute of Chicago
Smithsonian Archives of American Art
Unity Foundation of LaPorte County, IN
University of Dayton, Dayton, Ohio
World Print Council, San Francisco, CA

Smithsonian Archives of American Art
Merit Award, ArtComp 2004, Chesterton Art Center, 2004
Indiana Art Commission IAP Grant, 2003-2004
Honors Award, ArtComp 2000, Chesterton Art Center, 2000
Award of Merit, 55th Annual Salon, Northern Indiana Arts Center, 1998
Prix de le Ville de Vichy, Chamalières Triennial International, Chamalières, France, 1997
Who’s Who In America
Oakton Educational Foundation Grant, 1989.
The League for the Humanities / Ford Foundation HUMANITIES STUDY GROUP GRANT, 1988-1989.
Paragon Award, National Council for Community Relations, second place in Best Video Promotion, 1985.
Award of Merit, International All on Paper Exhibition, A.A.O.W.N.Y., Buffalo, N.Y., 1979.
Maxi Award, Media and Methods for Exploring the Film as the best book on media, 1973.
Gold Award (Best of Category: Graphic Design), Art Center Show, Dayton Art Institute, Dayton, Ohio, 1969.
Fellowship, Pratt Institute, 1968-1969.

________________teaching experiences
Instructor, Antioch College, Yellow Springs Ohio, Graduate Seminar, 2011
"Painting Without Fear: Creating Anew" Dayton Art Institute, Arts Week workshop, 2011 Artists in Residence, Purdue North Central, Westville, IN, 2005
"Exploring Style and Technique," Blank Art Center, Michigan City, IN, 2003Professor of Art and Humanities, Oakton College, Des Plaines, Il., 1971-2002
Department Chairman, Art, Oakton College Art Department, 1981-1987.
Assistant Professor of Art and Humanities, Harrisburg Area Community College, Harrisburg Pa., 1969 71
Lecturer in Design and Drawing, University of Dayton, Dayton, Oh., 1967-1968
Teacher, Living Arts Center, Dayton, Oh., 1967-68. (Title III program blending all arts)
Director, Art Program, Project Upward Bound, Earlham College, Richmond, In., 1967-68

Contributor, The Heritage Trail, Beverly Shores, IN. Language and images, historical research, produced pocket guide, 2019-present
Presenter, "What's It ART About?" Michigan City Public Library, Michigan City, IN, 12/10/2017 Presenter, "What Is Art—Four Artists Give Their Interpretations," SSAA Gallery, Michigan City, IN, 4/15/2012
Adult Literacy (ESL), Michigan City Library, Michigan City, IN, 2009-present
Panelist, Indiana Artisan Applications, 2009
Panelist, Indiana Arts Commission Individual Art Proposal Grant Review, 2007–2009
Collection Committee, Lubeznik Center for the Arts, Michigan City, IN, 2005-2007
Juror, Masterpiece in a Day, Indianapolis, IN 2005
Juror, National Exhibit 2005, Union Street Gallery, Chicago Heights, IL
Panelist, Indiana Arts Commission Grant Review, 2005
Mentor, Hours for Ours, Michigan City Schools, 2005-present
Instructor, Purdue North Central, “Exploring Monet Today,” Painting Workshop, 2004
Presenter, “Setting Up an Artist’s Web Site,” Chesterton Art Center, Chesterton, IN, 2004
Panelist, Indiana Arts Commission Grant Review, 2004
Juror, Brauer Museum Showcase, Valparaiso University, Valparaiso, IN, 2003
Co-founder, Southern Shore Art Association, Michigan City, IN, 2002
Juror, Deer Path Art League Fall Show, Lake Forest, IL, 2002
Juror, “Vicinity 2002,” John G. Blank Art Center, Michigan City, IN, 2002
Board Member, Brickton Arts Center, Park Ridge, IL, 1999-2001
IEA Art Selection Committee, 1998
Presenter, “Postmodernism Decays: New Attractors Awaken,” Mid-America College Art Conference, Richmond, VA, 1997
Field Reader, ArtReach ‘96 Grants, Des Plaines Arts Council, Des Plaines IL
Presented, “‘VisLang’ and its making; a HyperCard/laserdisc presentation of line, shape, value, color, and composition,” League for Innovation Conference, Houston, TX, 1994
Juror, National Art Awards, Center on Deafness, Des Plaines, IL., 1988.
Board Member, Des Plaines Prairie Project. 1987
Writer and Associate Producer of "The Art Program at Oakton, A Special Blending." a twenty minute VIDEO. 1987
Moderator, Student Art Club, Oakton, 1985-87.
Co-chair, North Central Association Accreditation Task Force on Governance, Oakton, 1986-87.
Presenter, Oakton Affiliates, "Computers in the Art Curriculum," 1986.
Juror, Center on Deafness National Art Awards, 1986.
Presenter, "Computer Art Demonstration," ARTTRAIN, a federally funded train which uses local talent to present various aspects of art to the community. 1986.
Presented "The Artist as Antenna," Northbrook Court, Northbrook, IL., 1985.
Board Member, Illinois Higher Education Art Association, 1983-85.
Chairman and Director, Conference on Computer Art, Illinois Higher Education Art Association, Oakton, 1984.
Juror, Center on Deafness National Art Awards, 1984.
Leader, staff development module: "Computer Graphics," Oakton, 1984.
Planning Workshop: "Arts, Higher Education, and the Community," Park Ridge, IL., 1983.
Introduced computer-generated art into Design courses, Oakton, 1983.
Juror, Maine Township Special Students Christmas Card competition, 1982.
Member, Illinois Percent for Art Review Committee, works for Des Plaines Campus, Oakton College. 1982
Brochure designed and written, describing the Oakton Art Department, 1981.
Participant, "Problems in Contemporary Art," New York, University of Eastern Illinois, NY, Aug 4-11, 1980.
Gallery operations, NAB Gallery, Chicago, 1980.
Juror, Artists Guild of Chicago Annual Print and Drawing Show, 1979.
Illustrated "Scotty Strong" booklet placed in emergency rooms to alleviate children's fears of x-ray procedures. 1978.
Designed art studios, new campus, Oakton College, 1977.
Member, Illinois Community College Articulation Advisory Committee on Art, 1976-1977
Member, Illinois Higher Education Art Association, 1975-1988
Participant, University of Chicago Institute: "The Humanist and the Artist." 1973
Member, Art Gallery Committee, Oakton College, 1971-2002Founding coordinator, Oakton College Art Department. (Designed Art Studios; set up Art Curriculum.) 1971.
Associate Director (Visuals and Design), Institute for Environmental Response (an organization exploring contemporary media/environment). New York, N.Y. 1968-1969.
Juror, Cincinnati Art Institute Scholarship Awards, 1967.
Project Upward Bound, Director, Art Program, Earlham College, Richmond, In., 1967-68.
"Summershop" Director, University of Dayton, Dayton, Ohio. 1966

________________education

M.A., Pratt Institute. Fellowship. Brooklyn, N.Y., l969.
B.A., University of Dayton cum laude, Dayton, Ohio, 1964.

________________publications: