Email: highergliffs@yahoo.com

Website: http://mariogonzalezjr.com/

Mario Gonzalez Jr. is a painter whose work defies labels at the same time it dances on a razor sharp edge that separates neo – expressionism and provisional painting. After an intense year of studio work at Zhou B Center followed by a world tour which included residencies in Korea and Germany; this period of time culminated in his first solo show at Zhou B Art Center in the summer 2012. The show titled ZORE using his nom de plume explored raw urban elements and abstract expression combined with youthful calligraphy and masterful strokes of pure energy.

In fall of 2012 the next solo show exploring the duality of Mario vs ZORE was presented at the South Suburban college along with an open discussion forum comprised of students and professors. Popular cultural media has also used the work of Gonzalez Jr’s who has been featured in Healthy Homes and Dwell magazines in addition the artist on NBC/FOX hit series CHICAGO FIRE is loosely based on his persona while his work has been used in an episode of the show.In December of 2012, 33Contemporary Director, Sergio Gomez and Gonzalez Jr. were asked to participate with MIIT ITALIA at ART MONNACO fair in Miami during Basel Miami along with the VERGE fair.

Gonzalez then returned to Chicago to create and build an original show intended for 33Contemporary with gallery owner Sergio Gomez. The installation titled STYLE BOMBING was comprised entirely of found and reclaimed wooden
objects, panels and paint. Concurrently Gonzalez curates one of the most important retrospective of modern graffiti based artists entitled HAS BEEN’S & WANNA BE’S both shows received numerous accolades including commentary from the examiner.com (http://www.examiner.com/article/teen-graffiti-writers-return-from-exile-at-zhou-b-art-center).

Other projects for 2013 have included organizing and curating an exchange with Baja Institute, Mexico and 33contemporary in Chicago spring 2013, A solo show with MIIT in Turino Iatalia, participated in OUTSIDE IN group show at the National Mexican Museum, Chicago, Fountain fair with Maxwell Colette, CODE two person
show at Hammond Art Center with Ish Muhammed, consultant for Chicago Cultural Center, Solo show with King Art collective at Protein Ed,Chicago and SIDEWALK SCHOLAR solo show at Maxwell Colette gallery.

With collectors ranging from tv executives, designers, dealers, galleries artists, bloggers, institutions and foundations Gonzalez Jr’s work can be found in collections from Europe to South Korea and the United States.

Upcoming 2014 projects locations include; Brazil, Singapore, Dubai, Bangkok, Mexico, Minneapolis, and Chicago.