“I wanted to bring back the relationship between the art and the domestic-slash-everyday experience,” says Shane Campbell. He’s referring to the dual-purpose space he recently opened in a Mies van der Rohe high-rise in Lincoln Park that’s both a by-appointment gallery and a crash pad for the high-profile international artists (including Michelle Grabner, Lisa Williamson, and Mark Grotjahn) he represents.
But Campbell, 41, might as well be talking about his own beginnings in the business. In 2001, the Art Institute instructor opened the doors to his Oak Park home to show paintings, drawings, sculptures, and mixed-media work by emerging talents. The Shane Campbell Gallery has long since moved out of his house—with locations in Oak Park and West Town in addition to Lincoln Park—but the residence is still full of beautiful objects. To see some of them—plus a few more things he loves—see below.
10 Things He Loves
HERMÈS CANVAS TOTE ($1,450, by special order at Hermès, 25 E. Oak St.)
“I am a tote bag fiend, and this is the king of the hill.”
LEICA M9-P DIGITAL CAMERA ($7,995, by special order at Calumet, 1111 N. Cherry Ave.)
“The best of old and new for digital photography.”
ALMA ALLEN BRONZE BOWL
“It’s from an edition of 250, but each has its own characteristics. The imperfections of the mold reveal themselves in every bowl.”
MAISON MARTIN MARGIELA TENNIS SHOES ($525 for similar style, barneys.com)
“They have become the de rigueur casual shoe for the art world.”
SEGWAY i2 ($6,239, Segway Experience of Chicago, 224 S. Michigan Ave., Ste. 113)
“The Segway developers felt that they would change the world. It’s unfortunate to see them lapse into novelty items.”
Photography: (camera, Segway) courtesy of vendors; (all others) Anna Knott
AIR GUITAR BY DAVE HICKEY ($20, by special order at Quimby’s Bookstore, 1854 W. North Ave.)
“One of my favorite art books. Hickey is the most insightful critic of American art and culture.”
MARK GROTJAHN LIMITED-EDITION SKULL RING
“Grotjahn made a total of ten based on a ring he wears. With him, my wife added the diamond eyes, using earrings she wore as a little girl.”
RANDALL MADE WOODSMAN KNIFE ($405, randallknives.com)
“With a four-year lead time for each handmade knife, it is the ultimate in delayed gratification.”
VENEER MAGAZINE ($500 an issue, veneermagazine.com)
“This annual publication embraces the craft of analog printing and binding. There’s a care for production that trumps the actual contents.”
JOLIDA JD 202A STEREO TUBE AMPLIFIER ($950 for similar model, Music Direct, 318 N. Laflin St.)
“It brings warmth to even the coldest minimal electronic tracks.”
Photography: (knife) courtesy of vendor; (all others) Anna Knott