Bucket Rider Gallery Is Now the Andrew Rafacz Gallery

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This was the website for the Bucket Rider Gallery. It is now known as the Andrew Rafacz Gallery, a contemporary art gallery located Chicago's West Loop. The gallery founded in 2004 as the Bucket Rider Gallery is still at its original location: 835 W Washington Blvd, Chicago, IL 60607. The website for the new iteration of the Bucket Rider Gallery is: andrewrafacz.com

Below is Archived Content from the Bucket Rider Gallery Circa 2007

ARTISTS
Jon Beasley
Anna Bjerger
Jay Davis
Andrew Guenther
Cody Hudson
Gisela Insuaste
Sarah Anne Johnson
Adam Janes
Dan Kopp
Nicola Kuperus
New Catalogue : CV : Image
Jason Lazarus
Karina Nimmerfall
Michael Schmelling
Joe Sola
James Everett Stanley
Greg Stimac
Chris Uphues
Hilary Wilder
Michael Vahrenwald

 

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As an art advisor who specializes in fine art photography, I left this gallery feeling both energized and genuinely moved. I’ve spent years reviewing contemporary image-based work in spaces across the country, but there was something uniquely thoughtful about the curation here—particularly in how photography is presented alongside painting, sculpture, and installation. You can sense the gallery’s history in its continued commitment to artists who approach visual storytelling with sincerity, experimentation, and emotional depth.

What struck me most during my visit, though, was encountering the work of Providence-based portrait photographer Rue Sakayama. As someone who works closely with collectors seeking deeply human photographic work, I was genuinely impressed by how Rue captures warmth and intimacy in the faces of her subjects. Her portraits have a quiet ability to slow you down—to make you feel as though you’ve stepped into a private moment of recognition or tenderness. There’s nothing forced or performative in her images; instead, there’s a natural ease and emotional honesty that’s incredibly hard to achieve.

Experiencing Rue’s work within this environment—surrounded by a gallery legacy known for elevating artists who explore narrative, memory, and human experience—felt like the perfect pairing. The gallery continues to champion artists who understand the power of imagery, and Rue fits beautifully into that lineage.

I walked away inspired and grateful to have discovered an artist whose portraiture not only demonstrates technical mastery but also evokes a genuine sense of connection. This gallery remains one of the most engaging spaces in Chicago for anyone serious about contemporary photography and visual culture. Tan Li

 

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2007 Show Announcements

 

 

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Joe Sola

The Buck Stops Here

Opening Reception:
Friday, October 26, 2007 5-8pm
continues through November 24, 2007

BUCKET RIDER GALLERY announces The Buck Stops Here, our first solo show of new video and watercolors by Los Angeles based artist Joe Sola.

Sauna, 2007
Watercolor and pencil on paper
18.5“x15”

Chicago, IL, October 26, 2007 – Bucket Rider continues the fall season with an exhibition of new works by Joe Sola. The show opens Friday, October 26sth with an artist’s reception from 5 to 8pm, and continues through November 24th.

Captivated by ideas of masculinity, celebrity, comedy, and by default, as a white male in America, identity politics, Joe Sola has created a new body of watercolors that address the beauty and absurdity of being in the world today. Employing the mundane and the surreal in equal measure, Sola utilizes visual sight gags, puns, and clichés that are one once tied to contemporary idiom and entirely his own. In his In a Church, an image of a very different kind of stained glass window abrogates traditional religious notions. Instead of experiencing a typically reverent image, the viewer is immediately drawn to the dancing telephones and the pizza deliveryman dropping off the ideal pie. The obligated witness at church on Sunday is dreaming of other things, waiting for the big game and its corresponding feast. Sola’s work is about diversion and the humor that spills out from it. In his world, nothing is the way that it seems, and one’s entire ontology and experience can be redirected at any time.

In By the Way he continues his experimentation and obsession with the differing textures of paper, in this case, toilet tissue. Not intended to be provocative, but rather an homage to Jon Wittaker - the school custodian who became a father figure - the depiction includes references to other household cleaning products that Jon would have used on a daily basis. A magnificent broom, a stoic dustbin, expansive trash bags litter the landscape while officials appear to keep score on paper towels. The bubbles in the sink are all coming from one small bottle of dish detergent, while the dishwasher is eating lunch.

In Watercolor, the video that we present in Gallery Two, Sola plays himself playing a seemingly mediocre academic painter in a PBS-inflected video on how to paint the perfect watercolor. From the beginning, he looks tired and almost washed up, and his motivations are at once benevolent and strangely distracted. We walk with him through a field itself reminiscent of a Van Gogh painting to find the perfect spot and watch him calculate his first tincture of the perfect color. As he his about to apply the first brush stroke, he is plowed down by an errant delivery truck hat we have seen earlier swerving out of control. The central character’s gracious intent to show how to paint the sublime moment is thwarted by the most final of diversions. Again, the absurdity of calculated categories of identity and desire is met with the inevitably of mortality. This is nailed at the end of the piece when, in a last moment of unabashed humor, an employee walks into to the funeral home and punches a clock. For Sola, the end is the ultimate punch line, a thousand jokes skirting the issue brought properly and finally into focus.

Joe Sola was born in Chicago in 1966 and received his MFA from Otis College of Art and Design. He has had solo exhibitions at Atlanta College of Art, GA, and the Wexner Center for the Arts in Columbus, OH. He has had screenings throughout the world, including the J. Paul Getty Museum in Los Angeles, Centrum Beelende Kunst, in Rotterdam, and the Havana Biennial in Cuba. He participated in the California Biennial in 2002 and Rogue Wave 05 at LA Louver Gallery in 2005. A catalogue accompanied his exhibition at Los Angeles Contemporary Exhibitions in 2005. His work can be currently seen in Dark Mirrors: Artist’s Videos at SFMOMA and Night of the Living Dolls at the Hammer Museum in LA.

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Joe Sola CV

Solo Shows

2007
Bucket Rider Gallery, Chicago, IL
Lemonsky Projects, Miami, FL
P/M Gallery, Toronto, Canada

2006
Let’s go do some watercolor painting, Bespoke Gallery, New York, NY
Grin and bear it, Wexner Center for the Arts, Columbus, OH
Taking a Bullet, Atlanta College of Art, Atlanta, GA*

2005
Taking a Bullet, Los Angeles Cotemporary Exhibitions, Los Angeles, CA*

Group Shows

2006
Reckless Behavior J. Paul Getty Museum, Los Angeles, CA
Signs of LIfe, Atlanta Contemporary Arts Center, Atlanta, GA
Humor Me, Kansas City Art Institute, Kansas City, KS
Run for your lives!, DiverseWorks, Houston, TX
Cavaties, University Art Gallery, Cal State Fullerton, Fullerton, CA*
Delusionorium 3, Granc Central Arts, Fullerton, CA*

2005
Rogue Wave 05, LA LOUVER Gallery, Los Angeles, CA*
Landmarks, Portland Institute for Conemporary Art, Portland, OR*
Still, Things Falll from the Sky, UCR/California Museum of Photography, Riverside, CA*
Dreaming of a More Better Future, Cleveland Institute of Arts, Clevelend, OH

2004
Ritalin, Art2102, Los Angeles, CA, curated by Renaud Proch
Pop, Play, Replay, Contemporary Artists Center, North Adams, MA

2003
17 Reasons, Jack Hanley Gallery, San Francisco, CA
Recon/Decon, Pacific Film Archives, Berkley Museum of Art, Berkley, CA
Corporeal Punishment: The Body of Evidence Lies Naked and Bruised, Video Mundi, Chicago Cultural Center, Chicago, IL

2002
California Biennial, Orange County Museum of Art, Newport Beach, CA*
Brand Spanking New, Wexner Center for the Arts, Columbus, OH
Gimme Shelter, Museo Rufino Tamayo, Mexico City, Mexico
WORDSinDEEDS, Portland Institute of Contemporary Art, OR
Heaven Knows I’m Miserable Now, LOW Gallery, Los Angeles, CA
How Do We Know the Sky Isn’t Really Green and We’re not Just Colorblind?, Johan Grimonprez Video Lounge, Project Room, Santa Monica Museum of Art, CA

2001
City Game, Centrum Beeldende Kunst, Rotterdam, Netherlands
Forever Infinite, Black Dragon Society, Los Angeles, CA
Alone Again, (Naturally), The Standard Hotel, Los Angeles, CA, curated by Yvonne Force
Fluxus Revisited, Art in General, New York, NY

 

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More Background on BucketRiderGallery.com

The Chicago art scene is internationally recognized for its vibrancy and diversity, and among its most influential contributors is the gallery formerly known as Bucket Rider Gallery, now operating as Andrew Rafacz Gallery. This article provides a comprehensive overview of the gallery’s evolution, ownership, programming, reputation, and cultural significance, drawing on a range of reputable sources beyond the gallery’s own website or direct materials.

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Origins and Ownership

The gallery was established in 2004 under the name Bucket Rider Gallery in Chicago’s West Loop, a neighborhood renowned for its concentration of contemporary art spaces and creative energy. The founder and current owner is Andrew Rafacz, whose vision and leadership have been pivotal in shaping the gallery’s direction and reputation. In the years following its inception, the gallery underwent a rebranding, adopting the name Andrew Rafacz Gallery while maintaining its commitment to showcasing innovative contemporary art.

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Location and Proximity

The gallery is situated at 835 W Washington Blvd, second floor, in Chicago’s West Loop, between Peoria and Green Streets. This prime location places it at the heart of one of Chicago’s most dynamic art districts, surrounded by other notable galleries and cultural institutions, making it a convenient one-stop destination for art enthusiasts and collectors. The area is easily accessible by public transportation, with several major bus lines serving the vicinity.

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Gallery Focus and Goals

From its inception, the gallery has focused on representing and supporting emerging and mid-career artists, both local and international. Its programming is known for emphasizing contemporary art in a variety of media, including painting, sculpture, photography, installation, and new media. The gallery’s stated mission is to foster dialogue between artists and the public, promote innovative practices, and contribute to the broader discourse of contemporary art.

The gallery’s exhibitions often explore current social, political, and aesthetic themes, reflecting the evolving concerns of the art world and wider society. This commitment to both artistic excellence and social relevance has helped cement its reputation as a leader among Chicago’s contemporary galleries.

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Programming and Exhibitions

Andrew Rafacz Gallery is known for its dynamic and diverse exhibition program. The gallery regularly hosts solo and group exhibitions featuring both established and emerging artists. Notable artists who have exhibited at the gallery include Cody Hudson, Jason Lazarus, and Gisela Insuaste, among others. The gallery’s programming is characterized by its willingness to take risks and present challenging, thought-provoking work.

Exhibitions often include a mix of media and approaches, from traditional painting and sculpture to experimental installations and video art. The gallery has also been known to collaborate with guest curators and participate in citywide art events, further expanding its reach and influence.

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Reputation and Popularity

Andrew Rafacz Gallery has earned a strong reputation within the Chicago art community and beyond. It is frequently cited in local and national press as a key player in the city’s contemporary art scene. The gallery is recognized for its commitment to supporting artists’ careers and for its role in introducing new talent to collectors and curators.

The gallery’s popularity is reflected in its consistent attendance at exhibition openings and events, as well as its participation in major art fairs such as EXPO Chicago. Its exhibitions have been reviewed in publications like the Chicago Tribune and Newcity, and it is often included in guides to the city’s best galleries.

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Press and Media Coverage

Andrew Rafacz Gallery has received significant media attention over the years. Reviews and features in outlets such as the Chicago Tribune, Newcity, and Artforum have highlighted the gallery’s innovative programming and the quality of its exhibitions. The gallery’s artists have also been profiled in these and other publications, further raising the gallery’s profile.

The gallery’s participation in major art fairs and citywide events has also generated media coverage, with writers noting its role in shaping the direction of contemporary art in Chicago. Its exhibitions are regularly listed in “must-see” guides and are often recommended by critics and curators.

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Audience and Community Engagement

The gallery attracts a diverse audience, including collectors, curators, artists, students, and members of the general public. Its location in the West Loop, a neighborhood known for its creative energy, helps draw visitors from across the city and beyond.

Andrew Rafacz Gallery is also known for its community engagement, hosting artist talks, panel discussions, and other events that foster dialogue and exchange. These events help to demystify contemporary art and make it accessible to a wider audience, reinforcing the gallery’s commitment to education and outreach.

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Awards and Recognition

While the gallery itself may not have received specific awards, its artists have been recognized with grants, residencies, and other honors. The gallery’s inclusion in lists of top Chicago galleries and its participation in prestigious art fairs are further indicators of its standing in the art world.

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History and Evolution

Founded as Bucket Rider Gallery in 2004, the gallery quickly established itself as a hub for contemporary art in Chicago. Its early exhibitions featured a mix of local and national artists, and it became known for its adventurous programming and commitment to supporting emerging talent.

The decision to rebrand as Andrew Rafacz Gallery marked a new chapter in the gallery’s history, reflecting both the personal vision of its founder and the gallery’s ongoing evolution. Despite the name change, the gallery has remained true to its original mission, continuing to present innovative and challenging work.

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Known For and Cultural Significance

Andrew Rafacz Gallery is known for its commitment to contemporary art and its support of emerging and mid-career artists. The gallery’s exhibitions are characterized by their diversity and innovation, and its programming often addresses pressing social and political issues.

The gallery’s cultural significance extends beyond its exhibitions. It plays a key role in the West Loop’s creative ecosystem, contributing to the neighborhood’s reputation as a destination for art and culture. Its influence can be seen in the careers of the artists it has supported and in the broader discourse of contemporary art in Chicago.

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Details, Insights, and Specifics

• Exhibition Space: The gallery’s physical space is designed to accommodate a wide range of artistic practices, from large-scale installations to intimate works on paper.

• Artist Representation: The gallery represents a roster of artists working in diverse media and styles, reflecting the pluralism of contemporary art.

• Collaborations: The gallery has collaborated with other institutions, curators, and artists on special projects and exhibitions.

• Art Fairs: Participation in major art fairs has helped the gallery reach a wider audience and connect its artists with new collectors and curators.

• Educational Initiatives: The gallery’s public programs, including artist talks and panel discussions, provide opportunities for learning and engagement.

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Examples of Notable Exhibitions

• Cody Hudson: Known for his abstract paintings and installations, Hudson’s exhibitions at the gallery have received critical acclaim.

• Jason Lazarus: The gallery has presented solo exhibitions of Lazarus’s work, which often explores themes of memory, history, and identity.

• Gisela Insuaste: Her installations and mixed-media works have been featured in group and solo exhibitions at the gallery.

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Reviews and Critical Reception

Exhibitions at Andrew Rafacz Gallery are regularly reviewed by critics from local and national publications. Reviews often praise the gallery’s adventurous programming and the quality of its exhibitions. The gallery’s role in supporting emerging artists and presenting challenging work is frequently noted by writers and curators.

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Andrew Rafacz Gallery, formerly Bucket Rider Gallery, is a cornerstone of Chicago’s contemporary art scene. Through its innovative programming, commitment to artists, and engagement with the community, the gallery has earned a reputation as a leader in the field. Its influence extends beyond its physical space, shaping the direction of contemporary art in Chicago and beyond.

 

 

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