John Pils

Drawing and painting have long been my escape from the outside world, while also trying to make reconciliation with it. It is this internal contemplation that almost all of my work stems from.
Since my work is based in a need to express my internal reactions to the outside world, the work takes on a mix of complete abstraction to semi-figurative representational work. My influences are drawn from ancient cultures, Anthropology, Hieroglyphics, and Mythology. I try to bring a primal, often meditative quality to my pieces.
Having also spent almost all of my life in New York City and Chicago, I am strongly influenced by the directness and spontaneity of urban street art and graffiti. It is between these two disparate worlds of the sublime and the autonomous that I often find myself when creating.
I work in many mediums, often in combination together. Collage, photography, screen printing, metal work, acrylics, encaustic and oil all have found their way into my work. Each medium presents different obstacles that open dialogue between myself, the work and the viewer.

1999 COLUMBIA COLLEGE OF CHICAGO Bachelor of Art and Design
Major: Fine Art, Dean’s list

2015 "WARES - ART AT THE RIVERSIDE" THE RIVERSIDE" BOULDER, CO
2009 “BOXED IN” FACTORY FRESH BROOKLYN, NY
1999 “GRADUATING STUDENTS EXHIBITION” COLUMBIA COLLEGE
1998 “POUGIALIS SCHOLARSHIP COMPETITION SHOW” COLUMBIA COLLEGE
1993 “SCHOLASTIC ART AWARD EXHIBITION” WESERN SPRINGS, IL