Joy Machine and Vertical Gallery are thrilled to announce their inaugural joint exhibition, Wanderland, featuring the work of Collin van der Sluijs. This exhibition marks van der Sluijs’ sixth solo show in Chicago and celebrates over ten years of collaboration with Vertical Gallery. It is also his debut at Joy Machine.
Wanderland showcases a new collection of work developed over two years, including expansive mixed-media paintings, delicate drawings, and skate decks adorned with the artist’s iconic birds. The exhibition explores both significant and everyday themes, focusing on loss, grief, and the healing power of nature.
The title Wanderland, a fusion of “wander” and “wonderland,” reflects van der Sluijs’ ongoing commitment to crafting an expansive, dreamlike environment. Over the last decade, he has created diverse collections as part of a world-building endeavor, using a mix of oil paint, acrylic, watercolor, and other media to depict dynamic still lifes and chaotic portraits. This exhibition continues in that tradition, featuring hazy floral arrangements that hint at his Dutch roots and incorporate symbols from his street art background. Patrick Hull, owner and curator at Vertical Gallery, notes, “Collin works in such a wide range of styles—like a modern twist on classical painting, with graffiti and illustration mixed in.”
Van der Sluijs develops each collection through a process of trial and error, often spending years on a single piece. He sometimes turns his work to the wall for a break before revisiting it. “I really need to make big mistakes and fight my way out of it,” he explains. This approach helps him delve into his emotional and external worlds. Wanderland represents “a walk to the visual world that you create around yourself, like wandering around. But it’s also like diving into the unknown.”
In contrast to the darker works from the early pandemic years, Wanderland offers a sense of hope and lightness, although not without its challenges. During the creation of this exhibition, van der Sluijs broke his ankle, forcing him to adapt by painting while seated, a new and difficult method for him.
Despite these challenges, van der Sluijs spent more time outdoors over the past two years. Creating small works on paper in natural settings became a source of solace as he coped with the loss of a friend. “All those personal stories, they make the context of a show,” he reflects.
To honor their long-standing collaboration, Vertical Gallery has published a book titled Wanderland: 1991-2026. The book contrasts the artist’s work as a painter, muralist, and graffiti writer with personal moments from his life as a husband, son, father, and friend.
Wanderland will be open from July 10 to August 22, with an opening reception scheduled for July 10 from 6 to 8 p.m. Van der Sluijs will be in attendance.
