Richard Gessert

Chicago, Illinois

Richard studied as an undergraduate at the School of the Art Institute of Chicago. His work has been presented by the Chicago Public Library, Terrain Exhibitions, the Chicago Art Department, SAIC Sullivan Galleries, the Rockford Art Museum, Rockford University Art Gallery, and Northern Illinois University’s Art Museum. Currently, he works in higher education at the University of Chicago as well as Northwestern University.

These renderings were derived from images of chewing gum on Belmont Avenue in what was then Chicago’s Boystown neighborhood (now Northalsted). The prints were produced from a close survey of a terrain, yet they also refer to the study of topography.

Past Artists on the Lam show: SLAYSIAN (2020)

10th Anniversary Message:

There is a saying in Vietnamese that goes, “Quân tử trả thù, 10 năm chưa muộn.” It comes from the Chinese proverb: 君子報仇, 十年不晚. The translation is, “For a gentleman to take revenge, 10 years is not too late.” The implication is that one should bide one’s time and wait for the right opportunity to react.

I created this artwork 10 years ago but never exhibited it until now. In the time that has elapsed, I would say my artistic interests have not changed much, and this work is evidence of that. In other words, a decade later, and I think this piece still looks good.