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Artist Profile: Ivan Fortushniak
December 06, 2024
"As a painter, my process involves a combination of
traditional and unconventional methods, including direct opaque
painting and glazing, and burning and scratching….The bulk of my
work juxtaposes water towers, smokestacks, and Boeing aircraft, with
landscapes inspired by George Inness, Winslow Homer and Albert P.
Ryder." – Ivan Fortushniak
Ivan Fortushniak received his Bachelor of Fine Arts from Kendall College of Art and Design in Grand Rapids, Michigan, and his Master of Fine Art from the University of Cincinnati, Ohio. His paintings call into question how humans can be better caretakers of the environment through beautiful landscapes scarred with images of decay, including airplanes, factories, and power plants. Fortushniak also incorporates historical figures from art history into his work, revolving around themes of war, religion, and the natural world. Often including collage and text within his paintings, Fortushniak’s images provoke both nostalgia and criticism.
Explore more artwork by Ivan Fortushniak.
Ivan Fortushniak, Exploded Storm, oil on panel, 1999, 2000.099.1.
Ivan Fortushniak, Central Smoke Stack, oil on Masonite, n.d., 2016.103.10.
Ivan Fortushniak, Landscape, oil on panel, n.d., 2016.103.11.