Richard Shipps is a Chicago-based multi-discipline artist currently working primarily in cut paper abstractions. His expressions also are realized through drawings, sculpture, painting, and kinetic mobiles.
Born in Midland, Michigan in 1946, he grew up in a house full of music, art and cultural relevance with ties to Jane Addams' Chicago Hull House. These were a primal influence on him. Recognizing his abilities early on, his family exposed him to art expression beyond his years. He went on to study at Albion College, Detroit Society of Arts & Crafts, Wayne State University and private classes.
Richard began exhibiting his art in the Detroit area in the 1960s. Simultaneously, he began working in creative production. As an artist/designer/producer he applied himself to film & video animation, emerging large format multiple projection systems, theatrical production, and a variety of communication projects over a 30-plus year period. Gathering a group of tech-savvy creatives around him, he and his company, DD&B Studios produced major events for IBM, AT&T, General Motors and many others. He received over 40 awards for creative and technological innovation, including the Grand Award from the International Film and Television Festival of New York. Richard enjoyed living on the "bleeding edge" of technology for over three decades. He carries that drive and focus into his artwork today. Richard has been a featured speaker for emerging creative technology events worldwide. He is also a dedicated kinetic artist, having produced several thousand mobiles since 2000.
In 2006 Richard moved to Chicago and re-focused his fine art discipline. He spent a year as a resident artist and executive committee co-chair with the Chicago Artists Coalition Gallery. That was followed by two years exhibiting in and managing a pop-up gallery in Chicago working with the Chicago Loop Alliance. He participated in Artprize for several years, exhibiting large scale cut paper work. His work has recently been exhibited in sevaral venues in Europe, and a variety of exhibitions in the US.
Statement
My work looks at shadow as light, and light as shadow, revealing imagery in both positive and negative space in a framework of changing references.
In many ways, the work is about the expression of the medium itself. Paper conveys a fragile balance, yet it can be shaped to create complex volume, surface, and presence. By limiting the use of color, the language of form does the heavy lifting. I see the patterns of shapes revealed in both form and counter-form. Their references come from experiential and emotional touchstones. I play with intentional randomness, letting the work develop it's own personality. Any formality comes from the focus of a set of very simple design decisions. After the initial cuts have been made, the work pretty much tells me what to do. In that dialogue, I just become the willing servant holding the knife.
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