BIO

Rani Young is a Chicago-based visual artist. The recipient of a 2014 Individual Artist Grant from the Chicago Department of Cultural Affairs, she has a BFA from Colorado State University and a Post-Baccalaureate from The School of the Art Institute of Chicago. Rani has exhibited in group and solo shows and has taught painting and drawing classes to over 1,000 students. She has also been the lead singer in three bands, including Girl Detective, where she brought in elements of video, costuming and object design. When not in her studio painting, she works as a freelance graphic designer and motion graphics artist (see examples here) and continues to create music and video projects with various collaborators.
ARTIST STATEMENT

My paintings and drawings commonly feature characters caught in moments of contemplation or of suspended motion. Born on Halloween, I have always been drawn to the idea of becoming a character, and often utilize self-portraiture as a way of changing costume. I place my characters on simple stages, and I invite the viewer to construct their own interpretation of the story depicted. My influences include Degas’s early portraits that set up psychological intrigue, Manet’s representations of costume and form, and Van Gogh’s premise that all subject matter is figurative, even nature. Moving into the past century, some of my favorite influences are early Vogue cover art, Russian poster art, Man Ray’s monotype prints, Elizabeth Peyton’s romanticized contemporary portraiture, and Nancy Drew book illustrations.
CV


1971          Born in Ft. Walton Beach, FL, USA
                   Currently lives and works in Chicago, IL, USA

Education

2007          Post-Bacc., Art & Technology, School of the Art Institute of Chicago, Chicago, IL
1997          Bachelor of Fine Arts, Colorado State University, Ft. Collins, CO


Selected Solo Exhibitions

2015          The Quest Paintings, Transistor, Chicago, IL
2009          Figurative Works on Paper, Urban Mischief, Chicago, IL


Selected Group Exhibitions

2020          Curiosity, J + K Isacson, Woodstock, IL
2019          Who’s Afraid of Red, Gallery Studio Oh!, Chicago, IL
2015          ArtPrize, Devos Place Convention Center, Grand Rapids, MI
                   Off the Grid, Oak Park Art League, Oak Park, IL
                   The Color of Passion, Oak Park Art League, Oak Park, IL
2014          Member Show, Fulton Street Collective, Chicago, IL
                   Heroes and Villains, Arc Gallery, Chicago, IL
2001          Music for the Eyes, Otherwise Gallery, Lansing, MI


Awards/Grants

2015          3Arts Projects Award
2014          Chicago Department of Cultural Affairs & Special Events, IAP Grant
1989          Merit Scholarship, School of the Art Institute of Chicago


Selected Lectures/Talks

2011          Artist Talk, Syracuse University, Syracuse, NY
2010          Entrepreneurship in the Arts, School of the Art Institute of Chicago, Chicago, IL


Teaching

2015-16    Drawing, Painting, Oak Park Art League, Oak Park, IL
2009-12    Figure Drawing, Drawing, Painting, Transistor, Chicago, IL