Council Chambers Gets Colorful New Exhibit

Posted on

Biography text for Jose Vazquez, an artist featured in Council Chambers. Photo at the top features Vazquez as he smiles down from where he is working on a mural. Biography reads: "Jose has worked in the video game industry for 20 plus years and has worked with several game studios. For nine of those years, Jose worked at DS Volition. He worked as a concept artist creating characters, environments, weapons and graphics for the Saints Row Series. Before working in the game industry, he was an accomplished street artist in Chicago working on commissioned pieces for the CTA, Chicago Park District, Chicago Public Library and several private commissions. He was a founding member of the DC5 crew, who has helped make DC5 one of the elite graffiti crews in Chicago. Currently, Jose works as a Freelance concept artist/ illustrator. Still working in the game industry, as well as for UIUC Beckman Institute. He is also a well-established local muralist working for various clients including the Champaign Park District and CU Public Health District. Ever since Jose could remember, he has always loved to draw, paint, and create. He enjoyed everything from painting and sculpting, to illustrating and animating. Since he struggled to focus on one career choice he explored different avenues. Eventually he fell in love with a new art form: graffiti. He took to it right away and became enthralled with Hip Hop culture and the graffiti art scene. Spray paint became the first medium that allowed him to evolve his style and show what he could do as an artist. A few years later, Jose began to return to more traditional mediums such as acrylics, pastels, and gouache. Today, though he loves working digital, there is still nothing like simply drawing with a pencil on paper. He continues to evolve and expand, never happy with staying with one style or medium. Jose Vazquez instagram.com/chapsuno/ jvazquez01@gmail.com"If you haven’t been in Council Chambers in a while, it might be time to stop by and check out the new artwork.

In partnership with 40North, Council Chambers has displayed various artists’ talents along the rear wall since 2015. A new exhibit featuring the work of local artist, Jose Vazquez, was installed on November 12, 2024. Vazquez’ art may look familiar thanks to several murals he has completed around the, including right across the street from the City Building!

Featuring brightly colored artwork that spans a wide array of subjects, Vazquez has completed commissioned pieces for the CTA and Chicago Park District, the Champaign Park District, and CU Public Health. He also worked in the video game industry for more than 20 years, including with DS Volition!.

Click on the image to the left to read his full bio, or stop in and visit Council Chambers for an in-person viewing of his amazing talents! The exhibit is open for public viewing during City Council meetings and other events held in Council Chambers.

News Releases

 

Department News