ARTIST STATEMENT
EXHIBITION HISTORY
GALLERIES
MY FAVORITES


Artist Statement -



Before arriving to Chicago Mark Nelson traveled extensively overseas with his family. Nelson’s early childhood residencies involved adapting to new surroundings, diverse cultures, and becoming aware of his inherit role as an icon of U.S. occupation. As a North American colonist, the privilege to be a product of the United States carried with it the stigma of the conqueror. A symbol of empirical denial to equity, fair trade, fair politics, and monopoly of resources, Nelson was motivated to validate his life journey through an exploration of projects that have involved inequity in labor, racial profiling, cultural demonization, and economic domination. While his early artwork in Panama was forged in the politically and socially charged arena of a 1970 - 1980’s Central America, it was Nelson’s arrival to the School of the Art Institute of Chicago where he began to expand his media repertoire. Over the years, Mark Nelson established himself within the community of Chicago as a laboring artist and teacher. While his travels continue to bring me back to Panama for rejuvenation, Nelson is firmly grounded, toiling within his Studio and home located in Chicago’s historic Pilsen neighborhood.

Artist Exhibitions



SELECTED EXHIBITIONS (* indicates One person Show)
2016
Endangered Species: Prospectus Gallery, Chicago, IL *

2015
Annual Art on Cardboard Show: Birdhouse Museum/Project Onward - Bridgeport Art Center, Chicago

Chuee Taxua: Museo de Arte Indígena Contemporáneo en Cuernavaca Mor., Mexico - (Curated collective)

La Muerte Nina: Dia de los Muertos: National Museum of Mexican Art - Chicago, IL (Curated collective)

Made in Pilsen X: Prospectus Gallery - Chicago, IL (Curated collective)

Folktales and Legends: John Michael Kohler Arts Center - Sheboygan, WI (juried collective)

Climate Crisis Solutions: Water Street Studios Gallery, Batavia, IL. (juried collective)

Art Educators Show: Illinois Institute of Art, Chicago. (Collective)

Public Art: Conrad Chicago Hilton, Chicago, IL (collective)

2014
Annual Cardboard Show: Project Onward-Bridgeport Art Center; Chicago, IL (collective)

So Much More: Swedish Covenant Hospital; Chicago, IL (juried collective)

Made in Pilsen IX: Prospectus Gallery; Chicago, IL (curated)

Southside MANIFESTO: Co-Prosperity Sphere; Chicago, IL (collective)

Survival, Spirit, ......: Ukrainian Institute of Modern Art; Chicago, IL (4 person show)

Artists on Board, ......: Reverie Gallery-Lacuna Artist Lofts; Chicago, IL & Portland, OR

Pahana; Paperish Mess, Chicago, IL (Installation )

Gestos Graficos: Rene Arceo and Friends; Bridgeport Art Center, Chicago, IL (collective)

2013
CTU Strike 1yr Anniversary Art Show: URI-EICHEN Gallery; Chicago, IL (collective)
Haiyan Relief Fundraiser: Co-Prosperity Sphere; Chicago, IL (collective)
11th Annual Cardboard Show: Bridgeport Arts Center; Chicago, IL (collective)
Made in PilsenVIII: Prospectus Gallery; Chicago, IL (collective)
Passages: Swedish Covenant Hospital, Chicago - Juried (collective)
Indecent Liquidation: Prospectus Gallery, Chicago - 1 Person Show
One Inspired Evening-Benefit: Stephen M. Bailey Auditorium, Chicago - Juried (Collective)
2012
Made in Pilsen VII: Prospectus Gallery; Chicago, IL
Hanal Pixan: food for the Souls; National Museum of Mexican Art, Chicago
*A Conspiracy of Silence; Triton College Gallery, River Grove, IL
We are the Awakening; 6902 N. Glenwood, Chicago, IL
Keepers; National Museum of Mexican Art, Chicago, IL
Santitos Portfolio; Casa Tres Mundos, Chicago, Granada, Nicaragua (Traveling group show)
2011
*Reverse Engineering; Carlos & Dominguez Fine Arts Gallery, Chicago
Made in Pilsen VI; Prospectus Gallery, Chicago, IL
A Testimony to Being; Swedish Covenant Hospital, Chicago - Juried
Arceo Press Print Portfolio; Ferguson Art Gallery, Concordia Univ., River Forest, IL
2010
Made in Pilsen V; Prospectus Gallery, Chicago
From the Wash; Antena, Chicago
Collective Show; Old Town School of Folk Music, Chicago
2009
Collective Show; Casa Aztlan, Chicago
Mutations; Douglas Park Field House, Chicago
Made in Pilsen IV; Prospectus Gallery, Chicago
Peace in Pilsen Benefit Auction; Carlos and Dominguez Gallery
End of the 80�s; Avram Eisen Gallery, Chicago
Los Artistas de la Calle 18; World Gym-Pilsen, Chicago
One Inspired Evening-Juried Benefit; RiverEast Art Center, Chicago
Celebration 2009; Prospectus Gallery, Chicago
2008
If Artist Ran the Media; C33 Gallery, 33 East Congress Ave., Chicago
*Art of the Ride: Motoworks Chicago - SOLO
Experiencing the War in Iraq: Machines with Magnets, Pawtucket, Rhode Island
30 Years and Moving On: Prospectus Gallery, Chicago
Made in Pilsen III: Prospectus Gallery, Chicago

2007
Collective Show: Colby Gallery, Chicago
18th St. Pilsen Open Studios: GringoLandia Studio, Chicago
Pass it On: Ukrainian Institute of Modern Art; Chicago
Mural Acquisition: Permanent Collection for U.S. Embassy, Panama
Made in Pilsen 2: Prospectus Gallery, Chicago
*Dusk to Dawn: Cafe Duvall, Chicago - SOLO
Kigali Rwanda Benefit: Univ. of IL at Chicago
POLVO Benefit: 18th Street, Chicago
Art of Teaching: Gallery 37 Center Space, Chicago

2006
Made in Pilsen: Prospectus Gallery, Chicago
Chicago Art Open: Zhou B. Art Center, Chicago
Bare Walls: SAIC - 847 W. Jackson Bldg., Chicago
Beyond Teaching I: South Shore Cultural Center, Chicago
2006 (continued)
Beyond Teaching II: Cafe Mestizo, Chicago
Beyond Teaching III: Casa Michoacan, Chicago
Greed: Pilsen Cultural Celebration: Harrison Pk, Chicago
Opt-in: Chicago Music Garage, Chicago
The Art of Teaching: Gallery 37 - Center Space, Chicago
*Navigating the Landscape: Prospectus Gallery, Chicago - SOLO
2005
Classic Cymbals: Illinois Philharmonic Orchestra, Traveling exhibition through 2006
Art for Animals Auction: Chicago Cultural/Center Tree House Animal Foundation
18th St. Pilsen Open Studios: GringoLandia Studio, Chicago
Hometown Video Festival: Alliance for Community Media, Monterey, California
Eminent Domain: Pilsen Cultural Celebration, Harrison Park, Chicago
POLVO Benefit: POLVO, Chicago
Chicago Homeland Expo: McCormick Center, Chicago - SOLO
Art of Teaching: Gallery 37 Center Space, Chicago
Cardboard 2: Birdhouse museum installed on S. Morgan St., Chicago
2004
Chicago Art Open: Vietnam Veterans Art Museum, Chicago
Artist as Terrorists 2: POLVO, 18th St, Chicago
Art and War: the artists voice Aldo Castillo Gallery, Chicago
War and Peace: Gallery 415, Chicago
Portraits of Imagination: CCT Gallery, Chicago
Barewalls: SAIC 847 W. Jackson Blvd., Chicago
18th St. Pilsen Open Studios: GringoLandia Studio, Chicago
Tu Casa es Mi Casa: POLVO, Chicago
2003
Alas de Papel: 2000-2004 Montreal, Mexico City, Cordova, Chicago, Managua
Chicago Solution Show: Gallery on Lake, Chicago
Globalization Show: Hothouse Gallery, Chicago
Chicago Art Open: 847 W. Jackson Blvd., Chicago
Art & Industry: Union Street Gallery - Chicago Heights, IL
Bare Walls: SAIC-847 W. Jackson Blvd., Chicago
Urban edge: BAAC, Barrington, IL
Visual Candy: Butcher shop, Chicago
Artist as Terrorist: POLVO, Chicago
The El: Hothouse Gallery, Chicago
Artists against the War: Chicago Athenaeum-Museum, Schaumburg, IL.
18thSt. Pilsen Open Studios: Gringolandia Studio, Chicago
The Art of Teaching: Gallery 37 Center Space, Chicago
2002
Udderly Suite: Chicago Historical Society - Museum
Casa Michoacan auction: Mexican Fine Arts Center Museum, Chicago
SPECTRUM: Chicago Athenaeum-Museum, Schaumburg, IL
Sept. 11 Show: Chicago Athenaeum-Museum, Schaumburg, IL
911 Show & Erotic Show: JettSett Gallery, Chicago
Bare Walls: SAIC- 847 W. Jackson Blvd., Chicago
Chicago Art Open: 847 W. Jackson Blvd., Chicago
The Art of Teaching: Marwen-833 N. Orleans, Chicago


2001
Hemingway Show: Hemingway Museum, Oak Park, IL
Art for Sara�s Sake: Swedish American Museum, Chicago
Operation Icarus: Gringolandia Studio, Open air installation launching
24th Annual Exhibition: Beverly Art Center, Chicago
2000
Chicago PingPong 2000: Pump Station Gallery-WaterTower, Chicago Public Art Program
Absolut Visions-art 2000: Gwendajay A. Gallery, Chicago
The Midway Show: Las Manos Gallery, Chicago
*Tales from GringoLandia: Harry S.Truman College, Chicago - SOLO
1999
Sightings: Gwendajay A. Gallery, Chicago
Cows on Parade: Hancock Tower Building on Michigan Ave., Chicago
*Original Recipe: Builders Bank, Chicago
1998
Chicago Art Open: 847 W. Jackson Blvd., Chicago
Against the Nightstick: Casa Guatemala, Chicago
Bok Guai : A.T.Coyote Festival, Chicago
*GringoLandia HeirLines: Chicago Public Library, Chicago - SOLO
Collective Exhibitions: Las Manos Gallery, Chicago
1997
West Town Realty Scandals: A.T. Coyote Festival, Chicago
Lost and Found: Gallery 7000, Chicago
1996
Americana Show: Imperfect Fluids Gallery, Chicago
GringoLandia 22: A.T. Coyote Festival, Chicago
1994
Erotica Show: Naked �i� Gallery, Saint Charles, IL
Full Box/Empty Culture: Process Bldg., 935 N. Damen, Chicago
1993
Mr. Whitey's Wild Ride: Crux Gallery, Chicago
Disco Gazebo: APO Bldg.,18th St., Chicago
Red Line: Feral Dog Gallery, Chicago
New Art Examiner Auction: World Tattoo Gallery, Chicago
Collective Show: LayAway Gallery, Chicago
1992
ReCycle America: Reicher Gallery-Barat College-Lake Forest, IL North Pier, Illinois St.- Chicago
Collective Show: Beret International Gallery, Chicago
Artist-in-Residence Show: Oak Park Civic Arts Council, Oak Park, IL
1991
GringoLandia II: North Lakeside Cultural Center, Chicago
Collective Show: Erie Street Gallery, Chicago
1990
*GringoLandia: ARC Gallery RAW SPACE, Chicago - SOLO
Your Message Here: Randolph Street Galley, Chicago
*Terratenientes: Galeria Uniques, Panama City, R.P. - SOLO
1989
13th Annual Competition : Beverly Art Center, Chicago
Prints by Illinois Artists: State University of New York, StonyBrook, NY
Artists Define Furniture: ARC Gallery, Chicago
Landscape/Mindscape: ARC Gallery, Chicago
Black and White Show: ARC Gallery, Chicago
1988
Modern Love: ARC Gallery, Chicago
N.A.M.E. Re-Membered: 203 W. Lake St,, Chicago
Art Fun/Life Serious: Prairie Avenue Gallery, Chicago
The Historical Moment: Gallery 400, UIC, Chicago
15 Years 15 Walls: ARC Gallery, Chicago
*The Incredible Museum: A.M. Ward Gallery, Chicago - SOLO
1987
Hung Jury: NAB Gallery, Chicago
Chicago Transit : Prairie Avenue Gallery, Chicago
11th Annual Exhibition: Beverly Art Center, Chicago
Dia de los Muertos: Objects Gallery, Chicago
1986
Two by Two: International Art Expo - Navy Pier, Chicago
1985
American Artists in Panama': U.S. Embassy Residence, Panama'
Subasta Pro Museo: Museo de Arte Contemporaneo, Panama'
1984
*Mark Nelson '84: Teatro Anayansi, ATLAPA Center, Panama'- SOLO
1983
ArteGulf 83: Museo de Arte Contemporaneo, Panama'
...

Artist Publications



REVIEWS and INTERVIEWS
10-11 Arte del Barrio -Univision, Enrique Ortiz - Emmy Award Recipients 2012
10-08 1Tail.com/sa/news - Oct 2
11-07 La Raza, Chicago
7-07 La Prensa, Panama'
5-06 Chicago Artists News
6-02 ArtScope.net
9-99 Sun Times
4-99- Hyde Park Herald
5-99 Lerner News
4-93- Chicago Tribune
4-93- ChicagoSunTimes
4-93- NewArt Examiner
6-91- Chicago Reader

PUBLISHED and SCREENED
2012 Video Shorts for MNRR-NPS, Youtube.com/missouririvernp
2011 Pancho," the art of Francisco Mendoza, Chicago CAN TV April, 2011
2010-2011 Video Shorts for PEFO-NPS, Youtube.com/petrifiedforestnp
2006 Chicago Artists Resource: Artist Story: Mark Nelson
2000 Urban Art Chicago: Olivia Gude and Jeff Huebner, Ivan R. Dee: Publisher
1999 Cows on Parade in Chicago: Neptun Art Press
2005 Vecinos: Hometown Video Festival, Olympia-Washington & Monterey, California
2004 Comcast Cable Stations (11 Chicago Suburbs, Chicago CAN TV-Ch.21,
Meztli Cinema/Gallery; 556 W. 18th St., Chicago, POLVO; 18th ST., Chicago

AWARDS
2013 Oppy Award – Oppenheimer Family Foundation
2012-2013 Intuit Teaching Fellowship, Intuit Center, Chicago
2008 Teacher of Distinction, Golden Apple Foundation
2006 1st Place-Art of Teaching, Gallery 37
2005 Honorable Mention-Hometown Video Festival
2005 2nd Place-Art of Teaching, Gallery 37
2003, 1991 Illinois Arts Council Fellowship
2003 First Place Award, Barrington Area Arts Council
2003 Academic Achievement through the Arts-CPS
1999, 2002, 03, 04,06, 08 Chicago Foundation for Education
1997, 96, 2001, 04, 06 Chicago Cultural Affairs CAAP
1997 IAC Special Assistance Grant
1993, 94, 2001,02 Chicago Cultural Affairs NAP
1997, 99, 02, 03, 04,06,07,08 , 09,10,11,12,13 Oppenheimer Teaching Grant
2001, 2002 CPS Art Enhancement Grant
...

Artist Collections



U.S. State Department
U.S. Embassy CONSULATE- Clayton, Republic of Panama
6 x 2 meter canvas mural painting titled "Jesus Lizard" ...

Artist Favorites



Personal Favorites