.png){kind=small}
"I am an artist that focuses on the beauty I find within our species. I have always been motivated by the human figure and the intricacies associated with it. There is a shared experience between the artist and the viewer that better allows me to convey thoughts, feelings and emotions than with any other subject matter.
I am a seasoned interdisciplinary artist, painter, and figurative sculptor. My 3D work is featured primarily at Gallery Victor Armendariz in Chicago. In the last three years, Dean has also been featured at Abend Gallery in Denver, The Figge Art Museum, and Bereskin Gallery in Iowa. My work has shown at SOFA Chicago 2017, 2018, and 2019 and participated in ArtPrize in 2013, 2014, and 2015.
I became interested in the human form while studying kinesiology in college. I changed my major to art the last year of my schooling and finished with a BFA in sculpture and drawing from Western Illinois University. After graduation I started a design/build company and was focused on building the business and raising my kids.
In 2010, I returned to painting and sculpting, eventually partnering with two friends in order to start a studio that linked our artistic spirits as well as creating an outlet where we could share that creativity. That endeavor became “Bereskin Fine Art Gallery and Studio” where I am currently represented. Additionally, I began showing with Gallery Victor Armendariz in Chicago, IL when they opened in March of 2017.
I am drawn to the interactive nature of large-scale sculpture that is available to the public. Given my experience in the building trades, I have developed techniques that allow me to do that cost effectively. I love the idea that large-scale work entices the observer to go beyond what they can see and add tactility to the experience. By using both realism and abstraction, I create a visual that challenges the viewer to resolve what they are seeing. Therefore, providing a greater connection between the artist and the viewer.
Education
1993 – AA from Blackhawk College.
1995 – BFA from Western Illinois University.
Selected Exhibitions
Nov 2019 - “29th Annual Holiday Miniatures Show.” Abend Gallery. Denver, CO
Oct 2019 - “SOFA.” Gallery Victor Armendariz. Navy Pier. Chicago, IL.
Oct 2019 - “State of the Arts 2019.” RC Endres Gallery. Prairie Village, KS.
Sep 2019 - “Les Petites.” Multiple-person show. Bereskin Art Gallery. Bettendorf, IA.
Jun 2019 – “State of undress.” Gallery Victor Armendariz. Chicago, IL.
Nov 2018 – “SOFA.” Gallery Victor Armendariz. Navy Pier. Chicago, IL.
Sep 2018 – “Earth, wind and fire.” Multiple-person show. Bereskin Gallery, IL.
Sep 2018 – “64 Arts National Juried Exhibition.” Sculpture grand prize (The Black Road). Buchanan Center for the Arts. Monmouth, IL.
Jun 2018 – “Relic.” Two-person show. Quad City Arts. Rock Island, IL.
Mar 2018 – “Bloodsport.” Multiple-person show. Gallery Victor Armendariz. Chicago, IL
Nov 2017 – “SOFA.” Featured artist with “The Desecration of Adam” sculpture. Navy Pier. Chicago, IL.
Sep 2016 – “64 Arts National Juried Exhibition.” Sculpture grand prize (Desecration of Adam). First place painting (No Quarter: Carl). Buchanan Center for the Arts. Monmouth, IL.
Aug 2016 – “Real People 2016.” Juried show. Third place (Bound). Woodstock, IL.
Jun 2016 – “Animal Farm.” One-man show. Bereskin Art Gallery. Davenport, IA.
Oct 2015 – “Let’s Dance”. Group show. Moline International Airport. Moline, IL.
Oct 2015 – “Experiencing art”. One-man show. Bereskin Art Gallery. Davenport, IA.
Sept 2015 – Artprize. “Desecration of Adam”. Gerald Ford Museum. Grand Rapids, IL. Top 25 out of over 1500 international artists.
Aug 2015 – “It figures”. One-man show. Black Hawk College. Moline, IL.
July 2015 – “Art to Heart”. Bucktown Center for the Arts. Genesis Heart Center. Davenport, IA.
Sept-Oct 2014 – Artprize. “Gravity”. Gerald Ford Museum. Grand Rapids, MI. Top 25 out of over 1500 international artists.
11 July 2014 – Two-man show. Quad City Arts. Rock Island, IL.
21 February 2014 – Spine-taneous. Redstone building. Davenport, IA. “Contortion in Red, Yellow and Blue”.
Sept-Oct 2013 – Artprize. Grand Rapids Museum of Art. Grand Rapids, MI. “Blind Grace” large version.
May 2013 – One State Arts Convention. I Wireless Coliseum. “Blind Grace” large version.
Feb 2013 – Rock Island Fine Art Show. “Blind Control”. $500 3-D Award.
Feb 2012 – Rock Island Fine Art Show. “Marking time”. $500 2-D Award.
http://www.augustana.edu/x2788.xml
2012 – Art on the River (juried). Dubuque, IA . “Powerless”. $1500 stipend.
http://www.cityofdubuque.org/index.aspx?NID=1652
Texts
1995 – “Drawing: Skills, Means, Freedom”. Jan Clough / Ann Mullin. pub. 1995.
1993 – “Images” College publication featuring multiple pieces.
1992 – “Images” College publication featuring multiple pieces.
DEAN KUGLER