This show is a revelation

The Oregon Coast Council for the Arts presents “Concealment and Revelation,” an exhibition of paintings and mixed-media works by John L. Ryczek, unconcealed from Monday, April 10, through Saturday, May 29, in the Newport Visual Arts Center’s Runyan Gallery.

Ryczek focuses on figure and perspective with regards to popular culture and history. He works in craft materials, such as Elmer’s glue, wood, pencil, construction paper, acrylic and latex paint, to ground his pieces in a certain framework of time.

Currently residing in Portland, Ryczek was born in Illinois and holds a BFA from the University of Illinois at Chicago. His work has been displayed in the Portland Art Museum, the Center on Contemporary Art in Seattle, the Froelick Gallery, the Art Gym at Marylhurst University, the Basil Hallward Gallery and various alternative spaces in Portland. His work has been featured in the Seattle Times, the Oregonian, Willamette Week and the Organ Review of Arts.

The show will include previous work from Ryczek, including the series’ “Glue Field,” “Relief” and “Mixed Media.”

“The pieces work to influence each other, building upon each other in layers while also skipping from one mode to another,” Ryczek said. “Much like the memories they are inspired by.”

“OCCA is excited to show John’s large-scale and contemporary works,” said VAC Director Tom Webb. “The exhibition should serve as a strong survey of his work over the past two decades.”

The Newport Visual Arts Center is located at 777 NW Beach Drive and is open Wednesdays and Saturdays from noon to 4 pm. For more information, go to coastarts.org.