About
Frank Lepkowski explores the role of modern technology in society, both in his subject matter and his artistic process. He builds software and web applications that rely on human touch as the primary form of interaction. Intertwining these digital tools and analog techniques, he creates maximalist, multi-layered compositions that reflect the noise and stimuli of the digital age.
His work has been commissioned publicly by Louis Vuitton, Takoi and Complex Media. He is a recipient of the 20/20 Emerging Artists Fellowship through Playground Detroit and the Knight Foundation. His work has been featured in Complex Media, Acclaim Magazine and Oyster Magazine. He has mounted solo and two-person exhibitions at Playground Detroit (Detroit, MI), LVL3 Gallery (Chicago, IL), and Skylab Gallery (Columbus, OH) and has shown his work internationally in group shows.
He is a special lecturer in Oakland University’s department of Art and Art History.
Solo & Two-Person Exhibitions
2021
Afterimage, Playground Detroit, Detroit, MI
Mud Puddling (with Yae Jee Min), LVL3 Gallery, Chicago, IL
2019
Access Controlled / Contested (with Sarah C. Blanchette), Skylab Gallery, Columbus, OH
2017
Risk Culture, Ponyride, Detroit, MI
Group Exhibitions & Art Fairs
2022
Nubes Art Fair, Heaven Gallery, Chicago, IL
2021
SCOPE Miami Beach, Playground Detroit, Miami Beach, FL
2020
Intersect Chicago, Playground Detroit, Online via Artsy
20/20 Emerging Artists Preview Exhibition, Playground Detroit, Online via Artsy
Hot Paper, Online via GIFC
U Up?, KO Gallery, Hamtramck, MI
2019
GIFC, Galleri Golsa, Oslo, Norway
2018
GIFC, L’INCONNUE, Montreal, Canada
GIFC, Atlanta Contemporary, Atlanta, GA
2017
GIFC, 0-0 Gallery, Los Angeles, CA
ArtPrize, Grand Rapids, MI
Hundred Bucks Show, Detroit Artists Market, Detroit, MI
Subreality, Tangent Gallery, Detroit, MI
2016
Touch Me, Tangent Gallery, Detroit, MI
Layers, Tangent Gallery, Detroit, MI
Wish You Were Here, Detroit Artists Market, Detroit, MI
2014
Mix, Oakland University Art Gallery, Auburn Hills, MI
Public Art & Commissions
2022
Takoi, Detroit, MI
2021
Louis Vuitton, Troy, MI
Selected Press
2021
Virtual Insanity: Frank Lepkowski’s Perspective on the Digital World, SEEN Magazine
Frank Lepkowski Solo Exhibition “Afterimage”, Playground Detroit Magazine
2020
Artist of the Week: Frank Lepkowski, LVL3
20/20 Emerging Artists Fellowship Awardees Announced, Playground Detroit
2017
Meet Artist Frank Lepkowski, POEM Studio
2015
This Graphic Designer Created the Hip-Hop Emojis You Need in Your Life, Complex
This Graphic Designer Created Hip Hop Inspired Emoji, Acclaim Magazine
Hip Hop Emojis, Pilerats
Look At All These Hip Hop Emojis, Oyster Magazine
Hip Hop Emojis Latest Project for Graphic Designer Frank Lepkowski, Music Times
Awards and Grants
2020
20/20 Emerging Artists Fellowship, Playground Detroit, The Knight Foundation
2016
Public Juried Exhibition Award, Layers, Tangent Gallery
2014
Graphic Design Exhibition Award, Mix, Oakland University Art Gallery
Marion Adams Bunt Endowed Fund in Art and Art History, Oakland University
Speaking
2019
AIGA Propel Mentorship, Panelist, Detroit MI
Education
2014
BA, Oakland University