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• UIUC alums a part of Chicago art show

Chicago saw the opening of Public Works at the Andrew Rafacz Gallery this past weekend, an exhibit in which four artists who have spent years working in the city displayed their graphic artistic endeavors. Chris Eichenseer and Andy Mueller, two of the artists involved, also happen to be Illinois alums that are making big names for themselves in the independent arts community.

After graduating from UIUC, Mueller founded OhioGirl, a graphic design, film and photo studio. His client list grew to include such big names like RCA, Capitol Records and Burton Snowboards. He has since branched out, creating designs for Lakai Limited footwear from his new locale, Los Angeles. Also, he now has a t-shirt line known as Quiet Life and manages to retain time for freelance design projects, still under the name OhioGirl. His work is renowned these days, having been featured in countless design annuals and magazines. His designs have even appeared on MTV on numerous occasions.

Eichenseer, like his friend Mueller, also went on to start his own graphic design company known as Someoddpilot. He blends traditional photography, illustrations and digital effects for musicians, brands and artists alike. The company is now based out of Chicago and has a client list a mile long featuring companies like Caterpillar, Sony and BP and musicians like indie rock artist Steve Albini.

Their combined work presented in Public Works, along with peers Cody Hudson and Justin Fines, features a blend of the traditional and the street-level art style that has formed the foundation for these artists’ design careers. The gallery has everything from photography to pseudo Greco-Roman statues, screen prints to satirical portraits and a mélange of rock posters, street images and vintage album covers. The combination of media and genres is not only meant to provide a visual extravaganza, but also to challenge the idea of the form and function of art.

Running through the month of August, Public Works is more than just an art exhibit, but also a series of shows and events. Throughout the month, other prominent members of the independent arts scene will be speaking on their own personal forms of artistic creation and how it impacts the greater community. One of the first speakers to appear, Chicagoland-based screen print artist and musician Jay Ryan, is also a UIUC alum. The artists, speakers and masterminds of Public Works are not only trying to educate people about what they do, but also to inspire others to put their creative sides to work.