Wichita, KS
About Sean Ward:
Sean Christopher Ward is an interdisciplinary artist focusing his efforts of painting in the style of op art, with major influences from Masters of the movement, like Bridget Riley and Victor Vasarely, who utilize flat design to create depth and kinetic movement through strict hard edges and the utilization of masterfully placed colors side by side or next to negative space in order to keep the works constantly moving within the optics of the viewer. Now extending past the singular flat plane, he has expanded to multi-plane artworks in which each level is hand painted or left without paint and it allows the perception of the paint coming off the canvas to envelop the viewer within the work itself with the high-gloss nature of resin. The process sounds traditional, but it begins in the digital realm of Adobe Digital Suite to create the design of the works first and foremost, to achieve ultra-crisp and planned results, then transitioning into the traditional realm of hand painting all the fields of colors onto the individual layers of the painting. This process sounds overwhelming, it has become common practice for Sean’s works and you can see the commitment to excellence through the weeks of time it takes to complete each individual piece. With works in over 400 permanent and private collections spanning 9 countries, including France, Germany, Italy, Japan, Puerto Rico, Qatar, the United Kingdom and the US Virgin Islands, the works are expanding into more countries throughout the world as each year progresses. Notable works in private collections include The Center for Women’s Wellness, Universal Studios Japan and the ICT Pop-Up Park. Future exhibitions of 2018 and 2019 include Superfine! Washington DC, Superfine! Los Angeles and an installation-based collaboration with Shamona Stokes from Jersey City,.
Selected exhibitions
- Superfine! New York City - New York, New York, 2018
- 520 Commerce - Wichita, Kansas, 2018
- Vertigo 232 - Wichita, Kansas, 2017
- HUE Gallery of Contemporary Art - Wichita, Kansas, 2017
- RAW Artists - Ft Lauderdale, Florida, 2017
- Superfine! Art Basel - Miami, Florida, 2017
- Idaho State University - Boise, Idaho, 2016
- The Lakeside Club - Wichita, Kansas, 2016
- Ulrich Museum - Wichita, Kansas, 2015
- Orange County Creatives - Laguna Beach, California, 2015
- Overland Park Arts - Overland Park, Kansas, 2015
- Art on 30th - San Diego, California, 2015
- Kansas City Artists Coalition - Kansas City, Missouri, 2014
- Friends of the Wichita Art Museum 55th Annual Art & Book Fair - Wichita, Kansas, 2014
- A/NT Gallery - Seattle, Washington, 2014
- Century II Concert Hall - Wichita, Kansas, 2013
- Friends of the Wichita Art Museum 54th Annual Art & Book Fair - Wichita, Kansas, 2013
Education
- Wichita State University, BFA in Graphic Design - Wichita, Kansas,2016
Press Accolades
- Wichita Eagle article - January 27, 2017
- ArtResin artist spotlight article and video - March 2, 2018
- Boston Voyager article - September 10, 2018