Atomic Number 13 (Part 2)

Vertical Gallery, Chicago

Chicago | Illinois | USA

Nov 05, 2022 - Nov 19, 2022

Vertical Gallery is very proud to present 鈥楢tomic Number 13 part 2,鈥� a group show featuring new work from a local, national, and international roster of artists, curated by Chicago-based art services and custom framing company ArtBuilds. After the incredible success of 'Atomic Number 13' in December 2021, Vertical and ArtBuilds immediately decided to partner again for part 2.

The title 鈥楢tomic Number 13鈥� honors aluminum鈥檚 spot on the periodic table of elements. Renda began painting on aluminum composite panels five years ago, inspired by his mentor Anthony Adcock, an instructor at the American Academy of Art. 鈥淥nce I realized I could make these panels whatever size I wanted, or build them in different shapes, I was hooked, and I stopped painting on canvas and wood,鈥� Renda says. 鈥淭hese panels are the smoothest, most archival surface you can paint on, and unlike other surfaces, they don鈥檛 absorb moisture, so they鈥檙e not going to warp over time.鈥�

Renda launched ArtBuilds in 2018 to provide much-needed framing and construction services to his peers in the artist community. 鈥淚 make everything by hand, all from natural wood 鈥� not just frames, but also custom canvases, shipping crates and pedestals. Artists make up 90 percent of my clientele, and the other 10 percent are galleries and collectors.鈥� ArtBuilds has been working with Vertical since before Renda officially founded the company: when the gallery needed assistance with multiple projects, Renda offered his support, and the partnership continues to this day.

鈥淏eyond showing the versatility of the aluminum panels, I wanted to show the diversity of art out there,鈥� he explains. 鈥淲ith so many artists working in so many different styles, everyone who attends this show is going to discover something that they love.鈥�