Artist Statement
Jyl Bonaguro is a self taught sculptor and playwright, specializing in carving Italian marble by hand. Often working spontaneously, Jyl Bonaguro has a modern approach to the ancient art of stone carving that diverges from the formal academic approach. Raw stone is revealed in select areas, leaving sections untouched and natural, reminiscent of fragments excavated by archaeologists.
Jyl Bonaguro find similarities working in mediums as divergent as sculpting and playwriting because both mediums are treated as interactive, narrative forms. Sculptures like her marble wings series tells a story through composition of form and style in much the same way a play like Swan Soong tells a story through composition of words and style. Both forms require audience participation and interaction to help complete the stories and connect us with each other.
Jyl Bonaguro’s works have been featured in publications like NewCity Art, CS Modern Luxury Interiors, the Chicago Tribune, Chicago Reader and Sheridan Road and are in private art collections throughout the United States. Select sculpture exhibitions include: Chicago Sculpture Exhibit 2023-24, SOFA Chicago, Scope Miami, Aqua Art Miami, “Nature in Motion” Lincoln Park Zoo IL, “Voices and Visions” at the Highland Park Art Center IL and “Intertwined” at the Korean Cultural Center IL. Her plays like Swan Soong have been sponsored by Loyola University Chicago, Columbia College Library, Zhou B. Center, Hinsdale Public Library and the Chinese American Museum of Chicago. She lives and works in Chicago, IL and her latest carving project is the Modern Athena Sculpture and she is the current president of Chicago Sculpture International.
Jyl Bonaguro Artist Statement Video
Watch the sculpture documentary film LIFTED on her work in Pietrasanta and Carrara Italy by Motion Filmworks
Artist Resume
Born in Chicago Heights
Lives and works in Chicago, Illinois
Solo Exhibitions
2023
Tabula Rasa InFlight, Evanston Art Center, Evanston, IL
2022
Art & Music of Italy, Dante Alighieri Society, Charleston, S.C.
2019
Swan Soong, staged reading, sponsored by Chinese American Museum of Chicago, Chicago, IL
Swan Soong, staged reading, sponsored by Hinsdale Public Library, Hinsdale, IL
Swan Soong, staged reading, sponsored by Columbia College Library, Chicago, IL
2018
LIFTED, curated by Andrew Bridges, Chicago, IL
Swan Soong, staged reading, sponsored by Zhou B Art Center, Chicago, IL
2016
Exploring Stone, Hilton Asmus Contemporary, Chicago, IL
2015
Inspired by Antiquity, Hilton Asmus Contemporary, Chicago, IL
2014
Urania, The Life of Émilie Du Châtelet, staged reading, sponsored by Loyola University Chicago, Chicago, IL
2009
Trees of Life I, Evanston Atelier, Evanston, IL
Select Group Exhibitions
2024
CSI x ALMA, curated by Kimberly Oliva and Korsakowski, ALMA Art & Interiors, Chicago, IL
2023
CSI, curated by Peter Van El, Jack Olson Gallery, NIU School of Art & Design, Dekalb, IL
2022
ArtPrize, DeVos Place, Grand Rapids, MI
2021
Red Dot Miami, Contemporary Art Projects USA, Miami, FL
Exquisite Corpse Now, curated by Kasia Kay, SNEHTA Residency, Athens, Greece
PHÌLO-POÈM, M.A.D.S. Gallery, Milan, Italy
2020
Moving Forward in a time of Change: Our New Relationship to the World We Live In, curated by Adrienne Kochman, Ukrainian Institute of Modern Art, Chicago, IL
Studio Exhibition, curated by Elizabeth Plessa, Athena Standards Residency, Athens, Greece
2019
SOFA Expo, Evan Lurie Gallery, Chicago, IL
2017
Asia Contemporary Art Show, Prak-sis Contemporary Art Association, Hong Kong, China
2016
Scope, Prak-sis Contemporary Art Association, Miami, FL
Aqua Art Miami, Prak-sis Contemporary Art Association, Miami, FL
2015
I, Fly, Public Art Outdoor Sculpture, Nature In Motion: Sculpture at Lincoln Park Zoo, Chicago, IL
2014
Sustainable You, Art Depth, Chicago, IL
Urania, The Life of Émilie Du Châtelet, workshop production, produced by Arica Hilton, Hilton Asmus Contemporary, Chicago, IL
2013
Love 2013, curated by Catinca Tabacaru of Tinca Art Gallery, NY, International Beethoven Festival, Chicago, IL
Wish You Were Here 12, A.I.R. Gallery, Brooklyn, New York
2012
Terror of Release, Flying House, Chicago, IL
Snow Days Chicago, sponsored by Mayor Rahm Emanuel of Chicago, Navy Pier, Chicago, IL
2011
Voices and Visions, Highland Park Art Center, Highland Park, IL
Intertwined, curated by Sun H. Choi, Korean Cultural Center, Wheeling, IL
EDGEART, Edgewater Artists in Motion, Chicago, IL
Snow Days Chicago, sponsored by Mayor Richard M. Daley of Chicago, Navy Pier, Chicago, IL
2010
Green Arts Showcase, Noyes Cultural Arts Center, Evanston, IL
EAC Members Exhibition, Evanston Art Center, Evanston, IL
2009
Group Invitational, CCT Gallery, Chicago, IL
Places: From Arcadia to Urban Landscape, Murphy Hill Gallery, Chicago, IL
Green Arts Showcase, Noyes Cultural Arts Center, Evanston, IL
2008
Explorations 2008 – New Works by New Artists, Highland Park Art Center, Highland Park, IL
2005
Postcards to the CAC, Contemporary Arts Center, New Orleans, LA
2004
Postcards to the CAC, Contemporary Arts Center, New Orleans, LA
2002
Under Exposed, New Orleans Museum of Art, New Orleans, LA
Graves, Cemeteryscape Photographic Exhibition, Save Our Cemeteries, New Orleans, LA
Human Landscapes, West Bank Art Guild, New Orleans, LA
2001
Asia, Thirteenth Floor Gallery, Chicago, IL
Publications / Reviews / Talks
2024
“Modern Michelangelo Jyl Bonaguro,” by Elena Ferrarin, Fra Noi, p.25-26 April 2024
2023
“Hammer & Stone,” by Jyl Bonaguro, Nov 2023
“WPB Artist Spotlight: Jyl Bonaguro,” Wicker Park Bucktown Chamber of Commerce, July 2023
“Patience is a Virtue: My Afternoon as a Stone Carver with Sculptor Jyl Bonaguro”,” by Nicole NeSmith, NewCity Art, p.54-55 June 2023
2022
“Meet the Artists: Transmigration by Jyl Bonaguro,” Wood TV 8, September 2022
“ArtPrize artist uses 100 hand-painted eyes to show ‘all the beauty that surrounds us,” by Lauren Edwards, Fox News 17 West Michigan, September 2022
“MTM On The Road: ArtPrize Celebrates Artists from Around the World in Grand Rapids,” 9&10 News, September 2022
2020
“Delphi Series Vol IX: Self-Portraits, Year of Convergence, God of Sparrows,” by Susanna Lang, Jennifer Grant, Christina Lovin, Blue Lyra Press, p.29-30 August 2020
“The Right Time for a Modern Athena: Jyl Bonaguro’s Female “David”,” by Nicole NeSmith, NewCity Art, April 2020
2019
“In Michelangelo’s Footsteps,” by Alan Wechsler, Loyola Magazine, August 2019
“Sculptor Jyl Bonaguro – Carving Out History,” by Dave Salvi & Jeff Zimmerman, Dec 2019
SoundCloud – https://bit.ly/376aBR8
iTunes – https://apple.co/2QcNLAj
Stitcher – https://bit.ly/2Gwvht0
Google Play – https://bit.ly/2C96Wnz
“Hinsdale Library to stage story of famous Shanghai sisters,” by Sara Clarkson, Chicago Tribune, July 2019
“Around Town Visits Workshop 4200,” by Ana Belaval, WGN9 News
2018
“LIFTED,” Documentary by Motion FilmWorks
“Meet Jyl Bonaguro, Artist, Playwright, Sculptor in Hermosa,” Voyage Chicago, July 2018
“Artist, Playwright & Sculptress of Marble Jyl Bonaguro, Real Life Heroes,” by Manvi Pant, Read to Empower, May 2018
2017
“A room of one’s stone,” by Laura Pearson, Chicago Reader, Feb 2017
“SPACE: Inside a marble carver’s studio,” a video by Kerri Pang, Chicago Reader, Feb 2017
2016
“Limitless Beauty,” by Gina J. Grillo, Sheridan Road, p.54-55 Dec 2016/Jan 2016
“Jyl Bonaguro’s Wings,” Éclat International, p.18-19 Nov/Dec 2016
“Jyl Bonaguro // Marble Sculptor,” Documentary by Motion FilmWorks
“Jyl Bonaguro The Art of Sculpture,” by Donovan Stanley, NUE Magazine, p.46-51 PDF
“The Art of Jyl Bonaguro Beauty and Immortality,” Éclat International, p.40-41 Feb/Mar 2016 PDF
“Set in Stone, Me, My Shelf and I,” by Laura Pearson, Chicago Tribune, 2016 PDF
“Reflecting On Relationships And Immortality,” Journal of Humanistic Psychiatry, Winter 2016, Volume 4, Issue 1
2015
“Wild Art: Lincoln Park Zoo displays outdoor menagerie,” by Steve Johnson, Chicago Tribune, May 2015
“The Story of Urania,” PechaKucha 20×20, Chicago, IL
“Featured Artist – Jyl Bonaguro,” Masque & Spectacle, November 2015
2014
“Climbing High,” Modern Luxury Interiors Chicago, Spring 2014 p.86
“Urania, Historical Play by Local Artist,” by Lizzie Schiffman, DNAinfo Chicago
“Radio Interview with Arica Hilton & Jyl Bonaguro,” by John Hansen, DNAinfo Chicago, July 2014
“Career Moves: Writer to Artist to Playwright,” by Aeneas Sagar Hemphill, Chicago Artist Resource, Feb 2014
2013
“Peace, Love and Understanding,” The Whole 9 Publishers, 2013 p.101
“Documentary for Snow Days Chicago 2013,” by Heather Momyer, January 2013
2012
“Flying House Volume #3 Summer 2012,” Neugideon Press Publishers, 2012
“Rising temperatures and melting snow sculptures in Chicago,” by Al Podgorski, Chicago Sun-Times, January 30, 2012
2011
“The Pieces That Matter: Refocusing on My Own Art,” by Jyl Bonaguro for Chicago Artist Resource, May 2011
“Galleries on the go,” by Lauren Viera, Chicago Tribune, January 13, 2011
2010
“Artists fill empty Edgewater storefronts,” by Crystal Fencke, News-Star, December 1-7, 2010
“A Connected Collection,” by Evangeline Politis, Sheridan Road, Vol. 4, No.3, 2010
“Roundtable with Rani Woolpert featuring Jyl Bonaguro,” by Rani Woolpert, Transistor Chicago, March 28, 2010
Awards & Residencies
2024
“Ragdale Artist Residency & Stipend Commission,” Ragdale Foundation, Lake Forest, IL
“Honorarium,” Chicago Sculpture Exhibit, Chicago, IL
2023
“Honorarium,” Chicago Sculpture Exhibit, Chicago, IL
2022
“Awesome Foundation Grant,” The Awesome Foundation, Chicago, IL
“Arts Grant,” Lakes of Fire, Chicago, IL
2021
“IAS Project Grant,” Illinois Arts Council Agency, Chicago, IL
“Artist Grant,” Cliff Dwellers Arts Foundation, Chicago, IL
2020
“Athena Standards Residency – Modern Athena,” Curator Elizabeth Plessa, Athens, Greece
2018
“Arts Grant,” BAAAHS, San Franciso, CA
2017
“Arts Grant,” Lakes of Fire, Chicago, IL
2016
“Marble Sculpture Residency,” Christian Lange, Pietrasanta, Italy
2013
“Winner of Open Call,” Love 2013, curated by Catinca Tabacaru of Tinca Art Gallery, NY for International Beethoven Festival, Chicago, IL
“Co-Captain of Exhibition Team,” Snow Days Chicago 2013, Chicago, IL
2010
“First Place,” – All Catagories, EAC Members Exhibition, Evanston, IL
2009
“Honorary Credential for Mural & Sculpture,” Northeastern University, China
2002
“Merit Award,” Graves, Cemeteryscape Photographic Exhibition, Save Our Cemeteries, New Orleans, LA
1994 – 1998
“Presidential Honors Academic Scholarship,” Loyola University Chicago, Chicago, IL
Commissions & Public Art
2024
“Transmigration,” Metzger Court, Wicker Park Bucktown Chamber of Commerce, Chicago, IL
“Diversity of Birds,” Ragdale Foundation, Lake Forest, IL
“Hermes,” Chicago Sculpture Exhibit, Chicago, IL
2023
“Vane,” Chicago Sculpture Exhibit, Chicago, IL
2022
“ArtPrize,” Public Art, DeVos Place, Grand Rapids, MI
2019
Nereids, Commission, Levit Family, Northbrook, IL
Hands, Commission, Regina Villa, Chicago, IL
2018
Transmigration, Public Art, sponsored by BAAAHS San Francisco & Chicago for Burning Man, Black Rock City, NV
2017
Goddess Floras, Commission, Levit Family, Northbrook, IL
2015
I, Fly, Public Art, sponsored by Nature In Motion program for Lincoln Park Zoo, Chicago, IL
Public Collections
Ukrainian Institute of Modern Art, Chicago, IL
Education
2009
Outdoor Sculpture and Mural Study in China & Tibet – Northeastern Illinois University, Chicago, IL & Northeastern University, China
2007
Human Anatomy + Physiology I, Oakton Community College, Skokie, IL 2007
1998
BA, English Creative Writing, Loyola University Chicago, Chicago, IL & John Felice Rome Center, Rome, Italy
1993
Intro to Figure Drawing & Figure Drawing I, Art Institute of Chicago, Chicago, IL
Professional Affiliations
2024 President, Chicago Sculpture International – Jyl Bonaguro chicagosculpture.org