Tyler Vlahovich


Tyler Vlahovich is an American contemporary artist known for his abstract paintings and works on paper. His practice explores the limits of abstraction through a playful, intuitive approach to form, color, and composition.

Early life and education

Tyler Vlahovich was born in 1967 in Tacoma, Washington, United States. He earned his Bachelor of Fine Arts degree from the California Institute of the Arts in Valencia, California, in 1989. During his time at CalArts, Vlahovich developed a foundation in abstract art, which would become central to his artistic practice.

Career

Vlahovich’s paintings and works on paper are characterized by seemingly casual yet richly sophisticated meditations on mark-making and composition. His work resists easy categorization, avoiding a single identifiable style while maintaining a distinctive sensibility. Often described as rapid, playful, and unpredictable, his art embraces ambiguity and open-ended interpretation.
His paintings have been noted for their vivid and offbeat qualities, offering viewers unexpected pictorial experiences that engage both the eye and the body. In contrast to art that strives for immediate clarity, Vlahovich’s work stands out for its refusal to conform.
Vlahovich had his first Los Angeles solo at Goldman Tevis in 2001. He went on to have three exhibitions with Feature Inc in 2003, 2006, and 2012 and is now represented by Chris Sharp Gallery.

Solo exhibitions

  • 2024: The Real Story, Chris Sharp Gallery, Los Angeles, CA
  • 2022: Chris Sharp, Los Angeles at Tomio Koyama Gallery, Tokyo, Japan
  • 2020: Cares of a Family Man, Lulu, Mexico City, MX
  • 2020: Project Room: Tyler Vlahovich, Marc Selwyn Fine Art, Los Angeles, CA
  • 2018: Tyler Vlahovich, Farbvision, Berlin, DE
  • 2017: Window Project, Richard Telles Fine Art, Los Angeles, CA
  • 2012: Tyler Vlahovich, Feature Inc., New York, NY
  • 2011: What Gives, WPA, Los Angeles, CA
  • 2010: It's all figured out, Twig Gallery, Brussels, BE
  • 2006: Tyler Vlahovich, Feature Inc., New York, NY
  • 2003: Tyler Vlahovich, Mary Goldman Gallery, Los Angeles, CA
  • 2001: Hypnotized at Birth, Goldman Tevis, Los Angeles, CA
  • 2000: Wooden Command Center, Studio Installation, Los Angeles, CA
  • 1989: Mute Celebrities, Blake Gallery, Seattle, WA

Selected group exhibitions

  • 2018: The Airtight Garage, Big Pictures, Los Angeles, CA
  • 2016: Fierce Generosity, Porch Gallery, Ojai, CA
  • 2015: Sharp Elbows, LAMOA, Los Angeles, CA
  • 2014: Lets go Let go, 33 Orchard, New York, NY
  • 2013: I Want That Inside Me, Feature Inc., New York, NY
  • 2012: Punt, Feature Inc., New York, NY
  • 2011: Bodybraingame, Rhona Hoffman Gallery, Chicago, IL
  • 2010: Elements of Nature, Carnegie Art Museum, Oxnard, CA
  • 2009: Skulture, Feature Inc., New York, NY
  • 2007: Radiant City, Cherry and Martin, Los Angeles, CA
  • 2006: Group Show, Feature Inc., New York, NY
  • 2005: Drawings & Paintings of Places & Things, Atelier Cardenas Bellanger, Paris, FR
  • 2004: Children of the Black Hole, Stalke Galleri, Kirke Sonnerup, DK
  • 2003: Made in California, California State University, Bakersfield, CA
  • 2002: Play It As It Lays, London Institute of Contemporary Art, London, UK
  • 2001: Running in Flip-Flops, Feature Inc., New York, NY
  • 2000: Open the Pod Bay Door Hal, Feature Inc., New York, NY

Art fairs

  • 2024: ACK Art Fair, Chris Sharp Gallery, Kyoto, Japan
  • 2024: EXPO, Chris Sharp Gallery, Chicago, IL
  • 2023: Material Art Fair, Chris Sharp Gallery, Mexico City, MX
  • 2022: Art Athina, Chris Sharp Gallery, Athens, Greece

Awards

Selected press

  • 2024: Tafoya, Harry. “The Best of EXPO Chicago and Barely Fair 2024.” PAPER Magazine, 29 April 2024.
  • 2015: Cover, Artillery Magazine, July 2015.
  • 2012: Mliszewski, Lynn. On-Verge.org, Alternative Art Criticism, 22 Feb. 2012.
  • 2008: “Printed Project #9: The Call of the Wild Is Now a Cry for Help.” Visual Arts Ireland, Dublin.
  • 2006: Wagner, James. “Tyler Vlahovich at Feature.” jameswagner.com, 24 Feb. 2006.
  • 2004: Weinberg, Michelle. “Current Art Shows.” Miami New Times, 18 Nov. 2004.
  • 2003: Pagel, David. Review. Los Angeles Times, 11 April 2003.
  • 2002: Myers, Terry. “Tyler Vlahovich.” Artext, November 2001–January 2002.
  • 2001: Hainley, Bm. Review. Artforum, 1 Sept. 2001.
  • 2000: Cotter, Holland. “Surging into Chelsea.” New York Times, 21 Jan. 2000.