Andy Schansberg’s Full Circle exhibition includes originals and prints, graphic works as well as a video featuring new music by Jeff Parker of Tortoise.

Andy Schansberg, a Los Angeles-based artist born and raised in Eau Claire, returns to his hometown this month to present a multimedia solo art show, entitled Full Circle, at the L.E. Phillips Memorial Library.

In this recent body of work Andy joins a painterly approach with the digital realm. He constructs abstract compositions that reflect his personal relationship with music. His interest in sound is in synchronicity to creating soundtracks and to working with various media. Full Circle includes originals and prints, graphic works as well as a video featuring new music by Jeff Parker of Tortoise.

When asked about his work, Andy shares, “Art is thought-provoking and has the ability to elicit emotion. My hope is to cause a shift in the viewer’s perspective when they come in contact with my work. All of my work is created intuitively. The images have a very graphic quality with various forms and color, which hopefully frees the viewer of any preconceived notion about art and its interpretation.”

A 1989 North High School graduate and recipient of the Arts Award for his graduating class, Andy reflects on how growing up in Eau Claire nurtured his development as an artist. “As a teen, I enjoyed the shows at The Foster Gallery, as well as having access to the university and public libraries, which were amply supplied with gallery catalogs from New York, microfilm files and a comprehensive film collection. At North, I spent a lot of time in the school dark room creating photographic prints and, in my own time, I self-published ‘zines,’ created music, stretched canvases, and built skate ramps. If I dug deep enough, I always found what I was looking for and everything felt possible.”

    Andy went on to receive a scholarship to study at the Minneapolis College of Art and Design, while simultaneously working at a skate shop. His career as an artist began when he launched Molotov Skateboards, marrying two of his passions: art and skateboarding. His decks were sold internationally and the designs are still favored among collectors. It was around this time he started doing freelance illustration and design, as well as fielding commissions for his work by collectors familiar with his art.

At the age of 22, the Ed Bockley Gallery in Minneapolis approached Andy for his first solo show. From that point forward, he has continued to show his work at various galleries.

Through art and skateboarding, Andy traveled and met other artists. He joined a group with similar interests when the idea of starting a gallery emerged. He helped to establish and curate the All Systems Gallery in Chicago. This prepared him to work with the Whitney Museum of American Art’s permanent collection when he later transitioned to New York.
Recently Andy accepted a position as     senior graphic designer for the recognized skate brand Elwood Clothing, in California. Currently he operates ELAS from his studio in Los Angeles acting as art director for various projects ranging from commissioned art works and record covers to corporate identity, apparel, skateboards, books, and more.

His latest projects include an artist series of skateboards for HOPPS, based out of Brooklyn, as well as the movie poster for the independent documentary film entitled, Burning Down The House; The Story of CBGB, which premiered at the Tribeca Film Festival earlier this year. His work can be viewed online at www.el-as.com.

    Full Circle will be on exhibit from Nov. 29 to Jan 5 at the L.E. Phillips Memorial Library. The opening reception takes place Sunday, November 29 from 2 to 3:30pm.