Michael x. Ryan - Chicago Roadstains

2005–ongoing

The Chicago Roadstains series consists of large-scale wood reliefs tracing actual stains found on the streets and sidewalks of Chicago. Suggestive of minimal surreal landscapes, the hand-cut plywood reliefs are arranged as diptychs, triptychs, or monoliths and are often coated with latex house paint to match the color of the architectural environment they are installed within. A work may be painted white to blend with a gallery wall or a red oxide that matches a specific museological interior. In this iterative approach, the life of each installation is made to be responsive to its environment, transforming overlooked urban traces into tactile, site-sensitive abstractions.

[CR1a-c] Roadstains #2: Multiple spill at Fulton and Peoria Streets, Chicago, Fall 2005

[CR4] Roadstains #3: Coke spill from parked car on Potomac Ave., Chicago, Fall 2004

[CR2ab] Earwax Roadstains West: Milwaukee Ave., Chicago, December 30th, 2006, 2006-ongoing painted wood relief 72 x 72 x 4 in (182.88 x 182.88 x 10.16 cm)

[CR3ab] Earwax Roadstains East: Milwaukee Ave., Chicago, December 30th, 2006, 2006-ongoing painted wood relief 72 x 72 x 4 in (182.88 x 182.88 x 10.16 cm)

[CR5] Roadstains #1: Block party beer stain on Potomac Ave., Chicago, July 2004, 2004-ongoing painted wood relief 84 x 42 x 2 in (213.36 x 106.68 x 5.08 cm)

[CR1a-c] Roadstains #2: Multiple spill at Fulton and Peoria Streets, Chicago, Fall 2005

[CR4] Roadstains #3: Coke spill from parked car on Potomac Ave., Chicago, Fall 2004

[CR2ab] Earwax Roadstains West: Milwaukee Ave., Chicago, December 30th, 2006, 2006-ongoing painted wood relief 72 x 72 x 4 in (182.88 x 182.88 x 10.16 cm)

[CR3ab] Earwax Roadstains East: Milwaukee Ave., Chicago, December 30th, 2006, 2006-ongoing painted wood relief 72 x 72 x 4 in (182.88 x 182.88 x 10.16 cm)

[CR5] Roadstains #1: Block party beer stain on Potomac Ave., Chicago, July 2004, 2004-ongoing painted wood relief 84 x 42 x 2 in (213.36 x 106.68 x 5.08 cm)

[CR6] Roadstains #1: Block party beer stain on Potomac Ave., Chicago, July 2004 (watercolor on Mylar)