Darryll Schiff is one of Chicago’s most influential contemporary artists. Schiff pushes the boundaries of what photography can do; using the camera as a tool to paint with, bend, and use abstractly rather than as a form of documentation.

Schiff’s work is in the collections of the Art Institute of Chicago, Metropolitan Museum of Art, George Eastman House, Norton Simon Museum, Museum of Contemporary Photography, and the Koehnline Museum of Art among other institutions.

The artist’s immersion into the world of fine art began when he was eight years old, taking weekend classes at the Art Institute of Chicago. His formal photography education was at the Institute of Design studying under Arthur Siegel, Joseph Jachna, Gary Winograd and Aaron Siskind. The curriculum consisted of Bauhaus teaching, classical photography, but also a strong encouragement to experiment. He was one of three undergraduate students represented in the famed Student Independent Portfolio.

Exhibition Statement:
Schiff delivers the quintessence of photography: light and composition in his latest series of work.
A key element to Schiff's process is scouting the perfect location and directing his subjects and/or
waiting diligently for the perfect lighting and bouts of movement to compose the exact image he desires. A fluid image is depicted, as Schiff's subjects seem to flow in all directions. Lumiere/Light teeters on abstract photography, playing with subtle hues and tints that bring his subjects to life. A wash of teal, indigo, or violet activates Schiff's images, creating dream-like imagery. His figures move in a vaporous current in shadows that conceal their identities. Schiff's thought behind this is to show all of humanity coming together, merging race, gender, ethnicity and class into one harmony, a life force that unifies all.

“His art draws you in and does not want to let you go. You seek more, looking at the action, the blaze of colors, questioning yourself as well as the art itself. How is it that such fine movement and intriguing sound can emanate from these works of art…” - Karena Albert, Art Critic