Harper exhibit features artist Jason Karolak

New York-based artist Jason Karolak describes his paintings as "architectures of color," and he's brought a collection of his unique designs for viewing in Harper College's Art Exhibition Space.

Karolak, who's been working as a professional artist since finishing graduate school in 2006, creates paintings that use color, line and light to create objects that pop off dark, borderless spaces in a way that looks almost three-dimensional despite being created on flat surfaces.

"I want to find something, and I want to be surprised in the studio," Karolak said. "Hopefully in the process, I learn something about painting, as well as something about myself in the world."

Harper College Art Professor Jason Peot, who curates the Exhibition space, saw Karolak's work at an exhibit in New York and invited the artist to put on his first show at Harper.

"My hope is that visitors to the exhibition spend some time with the work, find ways of relating to the forms and get a sense of pleasure looking at the color and process evident in the work," Karolak said.

Karolak's work will be on display through Thursday, March 13, in the Art Exhibition Space, Room C200, Building C on Harper's main campus, 1200 W. Algonquin Road, Palatine. The space is free and open to the public from 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Monday through Thursday.

Karolak will also lead a lecture at 11:15 a.m. Wednesday, Feb. 26, in the Painting Studio, Room C201, Building C, followed by a reception and discussion with the artist at 12:15 p.m. in the Exhibition Space.

Call (847) 925-6568.