Chantala Kommanivanh

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Artist Statement

In these series of paintings I am rediscovering my native Laotian culture by looking at elements such as dance, costume and language. These series of paintings came from questioning my individuality, visiting my past, rediscovering my family struggles as refugees and immigrants. I feel that I am an American, but “America” views me as the outsider, the immigrant, the opportunity thief; so what am I? I feel a need in recovering my Laotian/American identity as an individual, reminding our government and our society that America is made up of immigrants.

I also want these paintings to reflect on the struggles of relocation of my family and of people around the world. Refugees and immigrants are on the move due to war and natural disasters. I empathize with their struggles.

I mix found/bought enamel and latex house paints, acrylics, oil, spray paint, oil sticks, crayon, charcoal, pencil, and yarn/strings onto canvas or denim.Using photo references, I overlay high contrast portraits on top of a dense abstract background made up of text and controlled/uncontrolled mixed medium marks. Yarn/strings and patches of fabric attached onto the canvas provide texture and linear construction.

Bio

Chantala Kommanivanh is a semi-trained painter who was born (01/15/82) in a refugee camp in Thailand and now lives and works in Chicago. The Kommanivanh’s are refugees descending from Laos during the Southeast Asian/Vietnam Conflict. Chantala is Mr. & Mrs. Kommanivanh’s youngest of 5 sons. With influences from 4 older brothers and a city as his backdrop, Mr.C.Kommaniavanh displays each canvas with organized chaos, gloom and playful poetic text accenting the foreground with images of innocence, fear, human interactions, and abstract shapes and forms. Paint as a medium allows him to communicate personal stories and ideology, where his sub-conscious/ conscious mind explodes raw energy onto the canvas.
Not only is Chantala Kommanivanh gifted visually, he is also active in audio as the co-founding member of “Maintenance Crew (Mcdonaldlize Society Records)”, a hip hop duo from Chicago under the pen name “Chantalism”. He has taken part in various music/arts events in and around Chicago. Mr. C.Kommanivanh is currently focusing on a BA in Fine Arts at Northeastern Illinois University

Artist Resume 2008

Education
2006-08 (Current) Northeastern Illinois University, Chicago, Illinois
2003-5 Wilbur Wright Community College, Chicago, Illinois
Associates Degree.
1996-00 Roosevelt High School, Chicago, Illinois.

Awards
NEIU Special Skills Scholarship (2006, 2007, 2008)
Apocalypse Literary Magazine (Winning piece printed on annual cover 2007)
3M National Advertising Co. “The More You Know, The More You Care”. (Billboard Contest Winner 1995)

Exhibitions
2008
“Incipio.” - Group Show - Black Walnut Gallery, Chicago, IL.
“NEIU Student Annual Juried Show.” Group Show – Northeastern University Gallery, Chicago, IL.
“Nstillation.” Grow Show – Northeastern University Gallery, Chicago, IL.
2007
“Salvage” Group Show – Blend, Chicago, IL.
“Apocalypse Literary Magazine (Release party)” Group Show – Blend, Chicago, IL.
“NEIU Student Annual Juried Show.” Group Show – Northeastern University Illinois Gallery, Chicago, IL.
2006
“The Echo Chamber II.” Group Show - Dave Jordano’s Photo Studios, Chicago, IL.
“Summer Soultice.” Group Show - The Lincoln Park Café, Chicago, IL.
2005
“The Echo Chamber.” Group Show - Dave Jordano’s Photo Studios, Chicago, IL
2004
“We’re So Screwed” Group Show - Prop Theater, Chicago, IL
2002
“Pimps Don’t Pay Taxes” Group Show - Art Gallery Kafe, Chicago, IL
“F*CK the Coyote” - Art Gallery Kafe, Chicago, IL.

Publications
Apocalypse Literary Magazine vol.15 (2008)
Lao Roots Magazine Issue # 3 (2007)
Apocalypse Literary Magazine vol. 14 (2007)

Visual Motion Media
2007 “Yellow Rain” music video” Maintenance Crew; Mcdonaldlize Society Records
2006 “Eternal Sunshine” music video, Maintenance Crew; Mcdonaldlize Society Records