Julie Karabenick

Ann Arbor, MI, United States

About Julie Karabenick

I have been working as an artist since the mid 1980s and exhibiting my art since 1990, including in 10 solo and 2-artist shows in New York City, Chicago and Ann Arbor. I have also taken part in over 65 curated and juried group exhibitions around the US. As you can see from my work, for as long as I can remember I have been fascinated by the expressive power of simple geometric shapes. These forms resonate with us on a deep level; as such, they are richly evocative and require no explanation. I have a large series of paintings in which I limit myself to rectilinear forms, and others where I use diagonals to increase visual tension and an ambiguous sense of space. I apply paint in a flat, uninflected manner to allow the viewer to concentrate on the interplay of line, shape and color. I typically create asymmetrical and generally complex compositions that hopefully will provide visual pleasure and engage the viewer in sustained looking as new relations are discovered over time.

Education:

Although over the years I have taken a few courses in drawing and figure drawing, I am self-taught in other media, including painting and, as I was engaged in some years ago, printmaking. I received a BA and a PhD (Psychology) from The University of Michigan in Ann Arbor quite a while back; however, ever since childhood I have had a very strong interest in art, and that, ultimately, is the path I have chosen to pursue. Professionally, I have curated several large gallery exhibitions as well as developing and editing an extensive online art curatorial project for over 15 years. My deep and ongoing interest in exploration, in exposing myself to art quite broadly are reflected in my large number of "favorites" on this site--I never seem to tire of looking, seeing new ways of expressing oneself through art. Also, I have always felt a very strong responsibility to support other artists as best I can. Artists form a progressive and vital aspect of our society, our culture, and mutual support matters.

Exhibitions:

Solo + 2-Artist Exhibitions
Hofheimer Gallery, Chicago, IL, “Spatial Ambiguity” (with Marcia Fraerman), 2018
The Painting Center Project Space, New York, NY, “Architectural Fantasies,” 2015
SOHO20 Chelsea Gallery, New York, NY, “Color—Form—Structure,” 2011
Melanee Cooper Gallery, Chicago, IL, “just around the block,” 2009
Woman Made Gallery, Chicago, IL, “Julie Karabenick: Recent Paintings,” 2007
Broadway Gallery, New York, NY, 2004
Livonia Civic Center, Livonia, MI, “Contemplative Spaces: Two Perspectives” (with Laurie Schirmer Carpenter), 2003
Washington Street Gallery, Ann Arbor, MI, “Recent Paintings: Explorations in Color and Form,” 2002
Washington Street Gallery, Ann Arbor, “Color Harmonies,” MI, 1999
Kerrytown Concert House, Ann Arbor, MI, “Recent Paintings,” 1998

Selected Group Exhibitions
The Painting Center, New York, NY, “OnEdge” curated by Susan Post, 2018
Washington Street Gallery, Ann Arbor, MI, “16 + 16,” 2017
dm contemporary, New York, NY, “A Few Conversations about Color” curated by Joanne Mattera, 2015 (catalogue)
David Richard Contemporary, Santa Fe, NM, “Holiday Group Show 2012,” 2012-2013
Woman Made Gallery, Chicago, IL, “20th Annual Anniversary Exhibition Invitational: Twenty Jurors,” 2012
C2 Fine Arts, St. Petersburg, FL, “Beyond Measure,” 2011
David Richard Contemporary, Santa Fe, NM, “Op, Pop and Geo Again,” 2010-2011
David Richard Contemporary, Santa Fe, NM, “Line, Curve, Form,” 2010
Gallery 128, New York, NY, “GeoMetrics II” curated by Gloria Klein, 2009
Denise Bibro Fine Art, New York, NY, “Blogpix” curated by Joanne Mattera, Hrag Vartanian, Roberta Fallon and Libby Rosof, 2009
The Painting Center, New York, NY, “Building Picturing” curated by Vittorio Colaizzi, 2007
Marcia Wood Gallery, Atlanta, GA, “Luxe, Calme, et Volupté” curated by Joanne Mattera, 2007
Gallery Siano, Philadelphia, PA, “ORDER(ed)” curated by Julie Karabenick, 2006
Gallery 180, The Illinois Institute of Art, Chicago, IL, “Complex Simplicity/Simple Complexity,” 2005
Broadway Gallery, New York, NY, “Engaging the Structural” curated by Julie Karabenick, 2005
Chicago Art Source, Chicago, IL, “14 Reasons for Red,” 2005
Fort Wayne Museum of Art, Fort Wayne, IN, “2004 Biennial,” 2004
Lansing Art Gallery, Lansing, MI, “Full Spectrum: A Celebration of Color,” 2003
Buckham Gallery, Flint, MI, “Washington Street Gallery Visits Buckham,” 2002
Artemisia Gallery, Chicago, IL, “Full Spectrum,” 2002
Power Center for the Performing Arts, Ann Arbor, MI, “exhibit 6 at the Power Center, 2002
Buckham Gallery, Flint, MI, 2002
Media Union Gallery, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI, “Local Color,” 2001
Birmingham Bloomfield Art Center, Birmingham, MI, “Michigan Fine Arts Competition,” 2001, 2000, 1996, 1995
ARC Gallery, Chicago, IL and Ella Sharp Museum, Jackson, MI, “Ann Arbor Women Artists,” 2001
Jean-Paul Slusser Gallery, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI, “Ann Arbor Women Artists 50th Anniversary Exhibition,” 2001
Kerrytown Concert House, Ann Arbor, MI, “Exhibit 6: New Work,” 2000
Ella Sharp Museum, Jackson, MI, “Jackson Area Show,” 2000, 1999, 1997, 1996
Washtenaw Community College Art Gallery, Ypsilanti, MI, “Nine: Recent Works,” 1998
Buckham Gallery, Flint, MI, 1998
Oakland Community College Gallery, Farmington, MI, “Our Visions: Women in Art,” 1997, 1995
Left Bank Gallery, Flint, MI, “All Media Competition,” 1997, 1996
Lansing Art Gallery, Lansing, MI, “Botanical Images,” 1997
Ella Sharp Museum, Jackson, MI, “Reconcilable Differences,” 1997
Kerrytown Concert House, Ann Arbor, MI, 1997
Saginaw Township Administration Building, Saginaw, MI, “State of the Arts ’96 Annual Exhibition,” 1996
Artlink Contemporary Art Gallery, Fort Wayne, IN, “15th National Print Exhibition,” 1995
Krasl Art Center, St. Joseph, MI, “All Michigan-All Media,” 1995
Community House, Birmingham, MI, “Our Town” juried by Samuel Sachs II, Director, Detroit Institute of Arts, 1995
Lansing Art Gallery, Lansing, MI, “Michigan All Media Competition,” 1995, 1992
(+17 others thru 1990)