Bio
My name is Stephen Alexander Rybacki. I was born and raised in Southern California, and currently reside in La Verne CA. In the spring of 2009 I received my Bachelor of Fine Arts degree at California Polytechnic University Pomona. My goal was to further gain knowledge of media and technical hand skills in painting, drawing, ceramics, and sculpting. Out of school my immediate focus with my art was to expand my techniques, materials, illustration skills, as well as meet new people in the art community.
While moving through my body of work over many years, I found my strongest asset became texture and media on the surface of my work. I began to develop a love for new material I began experimenting with, sheet metal. With the mentor-ship from local artist Bill Moore I spent the next years experimenting and trying to control rust/oxidation on the surface of the metal, as well as incorporate the rust into compositions on different surfaces.
I am currently working to fine tune and focus more on the delicate texture and colors of rusted objects, and how to isolate the beauty of the natural oxidation process. A rusty metal grate or wire that has been outside for months often goes unnoticed, I find myself spotting these elements in my life daily. Its recently become clear to me I have developed a profound interest in the natural oxidation of metal, as well as the connection between it and other surfaces.
Education
BFA- California Polytechnic University, Pomona CA USA. 2009
Mentor
Fr. Bill Moore- Contemporary Artist, Bi-Monthly meetings and critiques
FrBillMoore.com
Exhibition History
March 2024- Sandstone Gallery - Laguna Beach CA
Nov 2023- Bunny Gunner Gallery- Solo Exhibition- Claremont CA
Sept/Oct 2023- Sandstone Gallery - Laguna Beach CA
April 2022- Studio C Gallery- Solo exhibition "Rust"- Claremont CA
Contact- Elizabeth Carr
September 2021, 2022, 2023- The Other Art Fair with SaatchiArt- Santa Monica CA
Fair Director- Nicole Garton (SaatchiArt)
March 2020- Sasse Museum of Art- Group exhibition “Soul Stories”- Upland CA
Contact- Gene Sasse
November 2019- Sanctuary Coffee Art Space- Solo exhibition “Stephen A Rybacki”- Claremont CA
August 2019- Progress Gallery- “Under the Influence”- Pomona CA
Contact/Curator- George Cuttress
2018- Sanctuary Coffee Art Space- Solo exhibition “Stephen A Rybacki”- Claremont CA
2017- Las Laguna Gallery- Group exhibition, “Small Works, Big Talent”- Laguna Beach CA
2017- AvantGarden Gallery, Featured Artist- Group exhibition- Santa Ana CA
2013- Independently hosted and funded by private collector- Solo exhibition
“Everything is Classic”, Pomona CA
2012- Gates Family Exchange Antique Consignment and Art, “Antique”
Fine antique sales and gallery space, Chino CA
2011 to Present- Annually participated group exhibition, “Celebration of the Arts”
Church of the Brethren, La Verne CA
Commissions/Collections
2022- The Hadley, Mountain View CA (Housing Complex)
Mixed media series "When the Sun Goes Down", Pomona CA
2018- Pomona College of Humanities- Public humanities studio building
Mixed media series collection “Overnight”, Pomona CA
2018- Chase’s Restaurant (Fine Dining), La Verne CA.
Commissioned mixed media work(s) for interior and Signage outdoors
2018- Alosta Brewery, Covina CA.
Commissioned Mixed Media and Photography for interior
2016- City of West Covina Police Department, Covina CA
Commissioned design for police officer administration
2015- Kut Haus Salon, Covina CA.
Commissioned mixed media work(s) and signage for interior/exterior
Publications
NewArtProject Magazine- Edition #1 June 2023 pg. 146-151
Digital and print edition
Bluebee Magazine- Issue #4 Daffodil pg. 73
Bluebeemagazine.com and print edition
Humana Obscura Magazine- Issue #1 Fall/Winter 2020 pg 21, 50
HumanaObscura.com and print edition on Amazon