Grego Rachko:

November 3 - December 31, 2025

@ Gary Manuel Salon / Smith Tower

Featured Image: “Don’t Explain”, oil on canvas, 2006

Grego Rachko

Artist’s Statement:

I am a narrative oil painter. I sometimes incorporate charcoal and collage. When layers build up, I like the way charcoal cuts through surfaces. When I collage an image onto my painting, it broadens the meaning of the image and plays with the modes of how we see things.

Artist’s Bio:

1960’s, in third grade, we were asked to draw an indian. (Thanksgiving?) Using only a black crayon, I drew the tearful Indian from the anti-littering campaign popular on TV at the time. 6th grade brought bullying and trauma about my being gay. I survived and still process the trauma.

1990, I joined Heart to Art, Seattle artists creating art projects with AIDS patients and caregivers. I made the poster for the Heart Show, an annual local artist auction to raise funds for emerging AIDS services organizations around Washington state.

1992, CoCA exhibit, Media to Metaphor: Artworks About AIDS. My work was reviewed in the Seattle Times. Forever Young, a painting of my friend, Hank, dying AIDS patient, focused also on our surrounding community and an art-historical reference to crucifixion.

2014, I created “Leaves of Grass - 21 Drawings”, drawings of male nudes inspired by the Walt Whitman poem. They were about the connection of the body to states of awareness and spirit.

CoCA ShowWalls is a show opportunity for CoCA Artist in partnership with local businesses.

Public Viewing at Gary Manual Salon:
Tues 8-6:30, Wed 8:30-7:30, Thu 9-7, Fri 8:30-7:30, Sat 8-6
528 2nd Avenue Seattle, WA 98104