Icarus takes one of the most enduring myths in Western art and distills it into a concentrated image of ambition, beauty, and peril. Rather than depicting the dramatic fall itself, Bruno Surdo focuses on the charged moment of ascent, the upward gaze, the lifted chin, the sense of striving beyond ordinary limits. The cool blue modeling of the face gives the figure an almost sculptural stillness, recalling classical marble, while the flames behind him pulse with heat, danger, and desire. That tension between serenity and catastrophe is what gives the painting its power: the figure appears almost untouched, but the world around him is already burning.
Art historically, the work enters a long lineage of Icarus imagery, from Renaissance humanism to Symbolist and modern reinterpretations of myth. Surdo avoids narrative clutter and instead isolates the emotional core of the story: aspiration so intense it becomes inseparable from risk. In his hands, Icarus is not merely a cautionary tale about pride, but a portrait of youthful longing, self-belief, and the seduction of transcendence. The classical subject fits naturally within Surdo’s practice, where ancient archetypes often become vehicles for contemporary feeling. Here the myth reads as timeless and deeply personal, a meditation on the impulse to rise, even when the cost is already visible in the flames.
Bruno Surdo
Icarus, 2026
oil on canvas
12h x 16w in
30.48h x 40.64w cm
BRS176
Bruno A. Surdo
b. Chicago, 1963
EXHIBITIONS
2023 New Work, Gallery VICTOR, Chicago, IL
2021 Ethos + Truth, Gallery Victor Armendariz, Chicago, IL
2020 Realities, Gallery Victor Armendariz, Chicago, IL
2018 Liberation, Gallery Victor Armendariz, Chicago, IL
Blood Sport, Gallery Victor Armendariz, Chicago, IL
Art on Paper 2018, Gallery Victor Armendariz, Pier 36, New York, NY
SOFA Chicago 2018, Gallery Victor Armendariz, Navy Pier, Chicago, IL
2017 POP!ARAZZI, Gallery Victor Armendariz, Chicago, IL
Coming Attractions, Gallery Victor Armendariz, Chicago, IL
2015 SOFA Chicago 2015, Ann Nathan Gallery, Navy Pier, Chicago, IL
Bruno Surdo: Allegories, Ann Nathan Gallery, Chicago, IL
2014 Bruno Surdo: Respond, Ann Nathan Gallery, Chicago, IL
Modern Metaphors, Rockford Art Museum, Rockford, IL
2013 Bruno Surdo: Revelations, Ann Nathan Gallery, Chicago, IL
Vice + Virtue, Northern Illinois University Museum of Art
2012 Contemporary Realism Biennial, Fort Wayne Museum of Art, Fort Wayne, IN
2011 Bruno Surdo, University of St. Francis School of Creative Arts, Fort Wayne, IN
Uncensored, Ann Nathan Gallery, Chicago, IL
2010 Art Chicago 2010, Ann Nathan Gallery, Merchandise Mart, Chicago, IL
2009 Art Chicago 2009, Ann Nathan Gallery, Merchandise Mart, Chicago, IL
2007 Bruno Surdo, Art Institute of Indianapolis, Indianapolis, IN
2006 Context/Content: Making Meaning with the Figure, University of Arkansas, Conway, AR
Creative Imaginings, Mobile Museum of Art, Mobile, AL
Bruno Surdo: Cycles, Ann Nathan Gallery, Chicago, IL
2005 Art Chicago 2005, Ann Nathan Gallery, Chicago, IL
2004 Tragedy, Memory, & Honor, Richard M. Daley Center, Chicago, IL
Art Chicago 2004, Ann Nathan Gallery, Chicago, IL
Group Show, Arcadia Gallery, New York, NY
Drawings VII, Koplin Del Rio Gallery, West Hollywood, CA
Armory Show, New York Armory, New York, NY
2003 Paintings & Drawings, College of Lake County, Grayslake, IL
The Art Show, New York, NY
Bruno Surdo: New Work, Ann Nathan Gallery, Chicago, IL
Art Chicago 2003, Ann Nathan Gallery, Chicago, IL
2003-10 International Show of Contemporary Artists, Chicago Art Open, Chicago, IL
2002 Bruno Surdo: Perception of Appearance, Frye Museum, Seattle, WA
Tragedy, Memory, & Honor, Richard M. Daley Center, Chicago, IL
Bruno Surdo: Transcendence, Ann Nathan Gallery, Chicago, IL
Art Chicago 2002, Ann Nathan Gallery, Chicago, IL
Tragedy, Memory, & Honor, Ann Nathan Gallery, Chicago, IL
2001 Magic Vision, Arkansas Art Center, Little Rock, AR
1998 Evanston and Vicinity Artists, Evanston Art Center, Evanston, IL
1996 Bruno Surdo: A Personal View, University of Wisconsin, Kenosha, WI
1995 Bruno Surdo: Recent Works, College of Lake County, IL
AIDS in Our Society, Loyola University, Chicago, IL
Bruno Surdo: Life, Struggle, and Hope, Chicago Cultural Center, Chicago, IL
2001 Magic Vision, Arkansas Art Center, Little Rock, AR
Bruno Surdo: Dualities of Life, Ann Nathan Gallery, Chicago, IL
1999 Group Show, Ann Nathan Gallery, Chicago, IL
1998 Group Exhibition, Fine Arts Building Gallery, Chicago, IL
1995 Spiritual Inquiries, Struve Gallery, Chicago, IL
1994 Recent Works, The 14th Annual Juried Exhibition for Lake County Artists, Grayslake, IL
Go Figure, Figurative Works on Paper, Chicago Printmakers Collaborative, Chicago, IL
SELECTED COLLECTIONS
The Re-Birth of Venus, Temporary Loan, Fort Wayne Museum of Art
Arkansas Art Center, Little Rock, AR
College of Lake County, Greyslake, IL
Flashpoint Academy, Chicago IL
John Robert Wiltgen Design
Shoemaker Ruud Collection
Julie & Thomas Danilek
Michael Vozzella and Mike Silver
Benjamin Fernandez
Tom Braake
Betsy Colburn
Michael Diemand & Lor LaRose
Michael Staab & Kathy Brock
Bruce Leep
Frank Tzurect
Mary Foley
Rosalyn Carlson
Mimmy Turney
Janet Long Halstead
Billy Hunt
Carol Galli
Myles Kerrigan
Honorable & Mrs. Edwin Berman
Theodore Gage
Northrop Art Museum
Past Present & Future Company
Dr. James & Peggy Kemmler
Salvatore Monastero
Nix & Virginia Lauridsen
Joel Miller
David & Marlene Zerkel
Ann & Andy Abel
Claudia Rush
Marc Miller
Leonard Goldberg
Lawrence Pucci
Howard Tullman Collection
Susan & Manny Kramer
James Rinnert
Richar Interiors
Michael & Nancy Colt
Khalid Altijir
Dr. Joe Grodman
Beryl & Jack Gore
Larry Wolf & Eric Naegle
Chuck Wolandi
Jack Schwab & David Sandelin
Thomas Kaczmarek
Marti Dinerstein
Craig & Michael Golden
Mike & Jill Rose
SELECTED PUBLICATIONS
Bruno Surdo: The Method Artist Responds, by Lucia Mauro, June 26, 2014, anitathemovie blog
An Exhibition of Exhibitionism: Bruno Surdo’s ‘Respond’, by Carrie McGath, July 1, 2014, The Chicagoist Website, Arts and Entertainment
“Inspired Environs: A renowned designer decks out his Loop abode in art and texture” Modern Luxury, Men’s Book, Spring 2014
“Master Class” What’z Up Magazine, Fort Wayne, 2011
”9/11 Painting will be on Display” Fort Wayne Journal Gazette, 2011
“Illuminated Images” Fort Wayne Reader, 2011
“Two Faces of Beauty” American Art Collector Magazine, Issue #3 and #59, 2006/2010
“Art and Calamity” Art Papers, 2009
“Versions of the Present, Techniques of the Past” American Artist Magazine, 2004
“Living Artists” Crow Book Publishing, Chicago, IL 2004
“The New Master” by Craig Keller, Chicago Social Magazine, 2004.
“Tragedy, Memory, and Honor,” by William Hageman, Chicago Tribune, March 28, 2002
“Mural Depicts Tragedy of 9/11” Art Section, Chicago Sun Times, 2002
Review by Dennis Raverty, Art Papers Magazine, July 2001
WTTW Channel 11 “Art Beat Chicago,” Featured November 2000, Bruno and the SORA
Art Scene Chicago 2000, by Ivy Sundell, Crow Woods Publishing, 2000.
“Artist’s Idea Celebrates Performing Arts on Wall,” by Sue Jenkins, Daily Herald, 1998.
Best of Portrait Painting, Rachel Wolf, Northlight Publications, 1998
"Visions of the Present, Techniques of the Past”, Bruno Surdo, Oil Highlights – Figures, January, 1996
LECTURES AND PUBLIC SPEAKING ENGAGMENTS
2014 Lecture, Modern Metaphors, Rockford Art Museum, Rockford, IL
2011 Lecture: University of St. Francis, Fort Wayne, IN
2007 Lecture: Art Institute of Indianapolis, Indianapolis, IN
2006 Lecture and Slide Presentation: University of Central Arkansas, Conway, AR
2000 Book Signing: Art Scene Chicago 2000, Barnes and Noble, Skokie, IL
1998 Lecture and Slide Presentation: Des Plaines Art Guild, Des Planes, IL
1996 Lecture: University of Wisconsin-Parkside, Kenosha, WI
1995 Lecture and Slide Presentation: College of Lake County, Grayslake, IL
Critique and Lecture: Skokie Art Guild, Skokie, IL
1994 Lecture: American Academy of Art, Chicago, IL
1993 Lecture: Ray College of Design, Chicago, IL
AWARDS
2009 Faculty of the Year, The Illinois Institute of Art, Chicago, Chicago, IL
2006 Grand Prize, International Artist Magazine. Contemporary Figurative Art Competition, Seattle, WA
2005 Certificate of Appreciation for 9/11 painting, Tragedy, Memory, and Honor presented by Richard M. Daley, Mayor of Chicago, IL
2003 Proclamation Award, "Bruno Surdo Day," March 18, Skokie, IL
1998 Evanston and Vicinity Artists Show, Honorable Mention Award, Evanston, IL
PROFESSIONAL EXPERIENCE
1992 – 2013 Founder, Director, Instructor, School of Representational Art (SORA), Chicago, IL
1988 – present Instructor, Illinois Institute of Art, Chicago, IL
EDUCATION
1987 Studio Cecil-Graves, Florence, Italy
1983-86 Atelier Lack, Minneapolis, MN
1983 Atelier Prohl, Minneapolis, MN
1981-1983 American Academy of Art, Chicago, IL
1980 Liceo Artistico de Bari, Bari, Italy
