Toonster92 - Rezident Artist at Lo Rez Brewery

"REZIDENT"  is an arts initiative brought to you by Lo Rez Brewing - curated by Pilsen Arts & Community House - that contributes to the community of Pilsen by celebrating local artists each month with craft beer, and grassroots fundraising. Rezident was created to support local Chicago artists by providing them with a safe and lively space to present their work, while also featuring local galleries such as Pilsen Arts & Community House.

February Rezident Artist is TOONSTER92

Show Runs: Feb 1st - Feb 28th

Artist Reception: Feb 24th / 6-10pm

Lo Rez Brewery

2101 S. Carpenter, Chicago 60608

Shop Available Art HERE

About the Artist

Jose De Avila (“Toon 92”) is a Chicago artist that uses his graffiti roots and urban street elements to create his pop-style paintings. Spray paint is his primary medium, however he also includes latex paint, graffiti drip markers, and molding paste to produce the textured and layered backdrops in his work. Many backdrops also include newspaper clippings and Mexican Loteria playing cards – a tribute to his heritage – as part of his work’s story. Love is the most common theme found across his paintings illustrated by the “love” street tags and “throw-ups,” but it is the darker, extreme sides of love that intrigue him:

“We’re all affected and shaped by love in so many ways. Some people have too much, some have too little, and that strongly influences our relationships and/or how we navigate this world for better or worse. It’s a powerful force. We all “love” something, whether its another person, money, work, whatever... and if you’re not careful it can take over your life and over time deteriorate your soul. It requires a delicate balance.”

This “deterioration of the soul” is often represented as a rust motif in his work. The stencil pop portraits are of past and present icons who at some point or throughout their lives were challenged by love in so many ways – sex, fame, vanity, drugs, relationships, etc. From afar we see vibrant colors and smiles, but as you get closer you will notice the imperfections, the struggles, the things that make us all human.