Nathalie Gribinski

I spent the first 6 years of my life in Algiers, Algeria, before moving to Paris, France, where I earned a law degree. In reaction to the confinement of years of dry, dreary legal-ese, I left Europe for the United States in search of a “life-lift”. Settling in Chicago, I studied English at Roosevelt University, where I dived head first into the world of Graphic-Art, immersing myself immediately in the rigors of the discipline attaining a B.A. in Art from Columbia College. My style is resolutely influenced by my mastery of graphic design, producing a body of work that is compellingly kinetic. My primary subject is abstraction and my first creative endeavors devised small, whimsical characters, called Tourlicoulis, that evolved, actually ‘bloomed’, into vibrantly colorful paintings, some small some extremely large, all dense with activity, where individually disparate characters vie for attention.
The Tourlicoulis, my signature work, evoke a mythical, fantasy world. Pushing the creative possibilities, I explored a myriad of mediums to include acrylics, oil markers, watercolor, and pastel. Thematically consistent, but in a wide range of renderings and sizing, they are echoed throughout my later works, in both hidden and brazen elements. Such experimentation drives growth and mature diversity in results. My versatility hallmarks my unique and signature artistry, exploring disparate styles, perpetually in pursuit of a new creative voice. The recurring element is an intense and vibrant use of saturated colors; sometimes playful, sometimes serious but always fluently eloquent and fluidly expressive. I have been shown in France and America for over 20 years. I was invited to showcase my work in a seminal exhibition in Provence curated by Mme. Christine Ruiz Picasso (daughter in law of Pablo Picasso), who purchased for her collection a painting titled ‘The Bubble Dance’.

B.A. of Arts at Columbia College, Chicago.

Camelback art gallery
Finalist | 2020 art competition
Theme: “Bold abstracts”
The painting featured: “In the mist of fire”

Camelback art gallery
Finalist | 2020 art competition
Theme: “Shades of blue”
The painting featured: “The celebration”

Contemporary Art Gallery online
4th place | 2018 art competition
Theme: “All colors”
The painting featured: “Summer Garden”

Contemporary gallery online
First place | 2018 art competition
Theme: “All abstraction theme”
The painting featured: “Fire river”

Camelback art gallery
Finalist | 2018 art competition
Theme: “Abstracts with blue”
The painting featured: “Eternity of renewing”

• Solo Exhibit: "The Sacred Woman", The Palette and Chisel Academy of Fine Arts, Chicago, USA, 2019
(Video available)
• Art Fair: Oak Park, USA, 2017
• Private exhibit: "Tourlicoulis today", Chicago, USA, 2015
• Group exhibit: "What's yours is mine", Columbia College, Chicago, USA, 2015
• Group exhibit: "Time Signatures", Coalition Gallerie, Chicago, Chicago, USA, 2012
• Duo exhibit: "Constructive Characters", Coalition Gallerie, Chicago, USA, 2011
• Group exhibit: "Bright New Talent", Coalition Gallerie, Chicago, Chicago, USA, 2010
• Group exhibit: "Les flâneries d'Art dans les jardins Aixois", Provence, France, 2010
• Performance: “Elmhurst Memorial Healthcare”, Chicago, USA, 2009
• Performance: “Chicago Homeless Coalition”, Chicago, USA, 2009
• Solo exhibit: "Ebullition2", State Street Gallery, Chicago, USA, 2007
• Solo exhibit: "Ebullition", Expgallery, Chicago, USA, 2006
• Duo exhibit: “Peintures et Tourlicoulis", La Chapelle Saint Férréol, Provence, France 2005
• Private exhibit: "Tourlicoulis", Chicago, USA, 2005
• Group exhibit: "Les Tourlicoulis de France", Gallery 1633, Chicago, USA, 2002

My artistic influence has been living in the heart of Paris, Montparnasse which became famous in the 1920s, referred to as les Années Folles (the Crazy Years), and the 1930s as the heart of intellectual and artistic life in Paris. I also spent my youth vacationing in Provence, next to Avignon, searching for beauty in nature, in people, in music. My favorite artists are Vincent Van Gogh, Joan Miró, Wassily Kandinsky, Gerhard Richter, Camille Pissaro, Paul Gauguin, Henri Matisse, Nikolai Suetin, Kurt Schwitters, Fernand Leger, Amadeo Modigliani, Pablo Picasso, Jürgen Klauke, Jean Dubuffet, Willi Baumeister, Nicolas de Staël, André Lanskoy, André Masson and Paul klee.

colorful, emotional, passionate, musical, playful, free