Chicago Roadstains

PROJECT STATEMENT: The Chicago Roadstains Project consists of large-scale wood reliefs created by tracing actual stains on the street or sidewalk that remind one of a minimal surreal landscape. These hand-cut plywood reliefs that become diptychs, triptychs and monoliths, are painted by studio assistants with latex house paint, the color of the architectural environment that the works are installed in. Individual or multiple works are always installed with sensitivity to the built environment and the day-to-day functions of the space. In one Installation the work may be white to match the wall it is hung on and in another the same piece may be painted a red oxide color to match its environment. OBSERVATIONS FROM OTHERS: These works evoke micro and macro levels of perception by magnifying liquid spilled, leaked or poured out onto city streets and sidewalks, which he discovers while walking. These stains are recorded as they respond to force, heat, absorption rates of the earth, gravity, etc, and are rendered large, similar to a map of a large land or water mass. The individual titles give reference to a precise location and time, bringing the monochrome, monolithic nature of the finished form of these pieces back down to the pavement. Vanessa Smith, curator - Spring 2011 Selection from the Press Release for underfoot…walking through Wicker Park at the President’s Gallery at Harold Washington College, Chicago, IL

Installation view of Michael x. Ryan's Above Ground exhibition at Alfedena Gallery, Chicago, 2007
Photo Credit: Jim Prinz
"Roadstains #2: Multiple Spill at Fulton and Peoria Streets, Chicago, Fall 2005"
Wood relief: Finnish and Baltic plywood and latex house paint to match wall.
102" x 220" x 10"
2005
Price on request
"Roadstains #3: Coke spill from parked car on Potomac Ave., Chicago, fall 2004"
Wood relief: Finnish and Baltic plywood and latex house paint to match wall.
101" x 36" x 36"
2007
Price on request
Roadstains #3: Coke spill from parked car on Potomac Ave., Chicago, fall 2004 (Installation view)
2007
Wood relief and latex paint to match wall
101" x 36" x 36"
Installation view from the 2007 Exhibition at Alfedena Gallery in Chicago, titled, "Above Ground"
2006-Present
 

"Road Stains #3: Coke spill from parked car on Potomac Ave., Chicago, Fall 2004"
2005-2011
Archival pen on plywood panels, rusted finish nails
84" x 30" x 1/8"
Installation view of Michael x. Ryan's Above Ground exhibition at Alfedena Gallery, Chicago, 2007
Photo Credit: Jim Prinz

 
"Earwax Roadstains East: Milwakee Ave., Chicago, December 29th, 2006"
Wood relief: Finnish and Baltic plywood and latex house paint to match wall.
72" x 72" x 4"
2006-Present
Price on request
 
"Earwax Roadstains West: Milwakee Ave., Chicago, December 30th, 2006"
Wood relief: Finnish and Baltic plywood and latex house paint to match wall.
72" x 72" x 4"
2006-Present
Price on request
 
"Roadstains #1: Block party beer stain on Potomac Ave., Chicago, July 2004-"
Wood relief: Finnish and Baltic plywood and latex house paint to match wall.
84" x 42" x 2"
2004
Price on request
 
"Roadstains #1: Block party beer stain on Potomac Ave., Chicago, July 2004 "
Watercolor on Mylar
framed and mounted on painted pedestal
72" x 48" x 6"
2004-05
Price on request
↑Back to Top