Balancing Act

A dual exhibition of contemporary sculptures created by Chicago artists Dusty Folwarczny and Marshall Svendsen. This marks Folwarczny’s second exhibition and Svendsen’s first with Madron Gallery.  

Balancing Act will be on view June 7 through August 13, 2021, with sculptures on display both in Madron Gallery and outside around the corner from the gallery, at 1750 N Kingsbury, Chicago, IL 60614. For details about the Artists’ Reception, please contact the gallery at info@madrongallery.com.

Exploration of materials, memories, and environments are common themes found throughout both Folwarczny and Svendsen’s work. Folwarczny creates experiments in physics — cylinder steel sculptures consisting of salvaged metal forms, welded together like pieces of a puzzle; the raw textured surface of metal and the aesthetic of rust are often on full display. Each finished piece is a test of Folwarczny’s hypothesis of how far she can push the limits of space, balance, and gravity.  

Svendsen’s sculptures are his own unique visual language, created by combining found objects with the classic lost wax process of casting bronze. Twisted and broken industrial forms are visible through the smooth surface of the bronze metal, the organic form of the human figure — alongside fragments resembling pieces of preserved earth, bone, and rock — is meshed with a colder technological aesthetic. Each piece appears to be of another world, like characters in a story, or parts of a dream that can’t fully be remembered.

Dusty Folwarczny received her BFA in Sculpture from Truman State University. She has served as President of Chicago Sculpture International and on their Board of Directors since 2009 and is now an Emeritus member. Her work has been exhibited at Elmhurst Art Museum, IL, Art Chicago, EXPO Chicago, Willis Tower, Bridgeport Art Center, Krasl Art Center, MI, Ukrainian Institute of Modern Art, and numerous public art exhibitions. Her sculptures can be found in the permanent collections of the Village of Skokie, IL and the Sculpture Trails in Solsbeery, IN.

Marshall Svendsen received his BFA from the School of The Art Institute of Chicago in 2004, with an emphasis in sculpture, mold making and casting metal.  In 2006, he founded True Form Productions, a fine art bronze foundry, and has cast bronze sculptures for artists including Rashid Johnson, Nick Cave, Preston Jackson, and Virginio Ferrari.  Through True Form Productions Svendsen has produced memorial bronze statues for The Chicago Fire Department, and has worked with institutions such as The Field Museum, Lurie Children's Hospital of Chicago, The Illinois Historic Preservation Agency, and received a Proclamation from Illinois Governor Pat Quinn thanking him for his work restoring Abraham Lincoln’s Tomb in Springfield, IL.  His work has been exhibited at Heaven Gallery, Chicago, IL,  SOFA Chicago, Art Chicago, Purdue University, Cliff Dwellers Club, Chicago, IL, The Bridgeport Art Center, and The Evanston Art Center.

Madron Gallery is following current state and local Covid-19 guidelines. If you are fully vaccinated, masks in the gallery are not required. Appointments are available online atmadrongallery.com. Please call or email for evening or weekend appointments.

Madron Gallery’s collection includes an extensive inventory that showcases the breadth and depth of art in America between 1890 and 1940, especially Chicago and Jewish artists. Through curated exhibitions, publications, and community collaboration, Madron Gallery is dedicated to supporting the work of underappreciated American artists, connecting the themes, values, and subjects represented in the collection to artwork being created today.

Marshall Svendsen, Captains of Industry, cast bronze, 63 x 24 x 12 inches, 2019

Dusty Folwarcnzy, Scrape, salvaged steel & polymer, 80 x 48 x 50 inches, 2009