Cydney Lewis

Works

I create highly personal and intimate work, centering around ideas related to imagination, desire and the integration of art into daily life. I am drawn to the whimsical. Fashion, architecture, history and the observation of human behavior inspire my work. I studied ballet for 15 years before pursuing a BS in architecture at the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign. While working towards a degree, I spent a year in France, where I studied at the Ecole d'Architecture de Versailles. Subsequently I returned to the performing arts to begin a career in film design where I worked as an art director and production designer for several feature films. Designing films helped me learn to express mood and emotions through color, character expression and storytelling. I currently live in Chicago, and incorporate all of these previous experiences into my artistic practice through the manipulation and transformation of materials.

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Cydney Lewis

Works

Education

1988

/ University of Illinois Urbana Champaign, Bachelors in Architecture

1986 - 1987

/ Ecole d'Architecture de Versailles, France

2006

/ School of the Art Institute of Chicago

Exhibitions

2013

/ Sharks Are Born Swimming, South Suburban College, South Holland, IL

2012

/ Adornments -13th Inter’l Architecture Exhibition, La Biennale di Venezia

/ Layers, Paths and Channels, Chicago Artist Coalition, Chicago IL

/ Ways of Making Art. Governors State University, University Park, IL

/ This Captivating Culture, Chicago Artist Coalition, Chicago, IL

/ Pine Feather Period, Chicago Artist Coalition, Chicago IL

2011

/ “Simply Perfect” sponsored by Patron Spirits and CAC, Chicago IL

/ T.A.W.G.A. (Throw Away Won’t Go Away) An Environmental Art Exhibit, Harold Washington Library, Chicago IL

/ High Gloss - Houston TX

/ Elephant Room Gallery Inc. Chicago IL

/ Bridge Gallery, Chicago IL

2010

/ Macy’s Department Store, Los Angeles CA

/ Art Here, Art Now, University of Chicago and Hyde Park Arts Alliance, Mt. Prospect Library, Mt Prospect IL

/ Not Just Another Pretty Face, Hyde Park Art Center, Chicago IL

/ Forget About the Future, Solo exhibit -Elephant Room Gallery Inc. Chicago IL

/ Museum of Contemporary Art Store, Chicago IL

/ Little Black Pearl – Teaching Artist Grades K-2

2009

/ University of Chicago-UChiTech - Department of Intellectual Properties

/ Little Black Pearl Gallery, (featured artist), Chicago IL

/ Museum of Science and Industry, Black Creativity, Chicago IL

/ Museum of Contemporary Art Store, Chicago IL

2008

/ Not Just Another Pretty Face, Hyde Park Art Center, Chicago IL

/ ARC Gallery, Chicago IL

/ Kaw Kaw’s Cigar Shop, Chicago IL- Interior Designer 2009

1991 – 1998

/ Art Director, Set Designer

/ Feature films including Harpo Films Beloved, Warner Brothers Richie Rich, Fox Films Soul Food, and Addis Wechsler Pictures Love Jones

Awards

2012

/ 3Arts Award Nominee

/ “Ways of Making”- Governors State University- Best of Show

2010

/ Black Creativity – Museum of Science and Industry – Honorary Mention

2009

/ Black Creativity – Museum of Science and Industry - Green Art Award

Residencie

/ 2018 (upcoming) Lyseloth Musikerwohnhaus Basel, Basel, Switzerland

/ 2017 Mindful Meditation Retreat for artist Joshua Tree Center, Yucca CA

/ 2015 It Takes a Village Project, Marquette School of Excellence, Chicago IL

/ 2015 Baker Universe, Baker Elementary School, Wilmette IL

Community Projects

/ 2015 Recycle Imagination, Marquette School of Excellence, Teaching Artist

/ 2014 Transformed Faces, Elephant Room Gallery

/ 2013 Kite Flight, Smart Museum, University of Chicago

/ 2011 Pure Imagination, Little Black Pearl, Teaching Artist Grades K-2

Publications, Reviews and Links

/ “Glass Curtain Takes on the Brain,” link

/ Ruminate, Ukrainian Institute of Modern Art, Chicago IL

/ Permeated Surfaces, Evanston IL

/ Neux Magazine, Reborn Summer 2011, “Reusable Materials as Wearable Art” pgs.138-144 link