Erik
DeBat RISK (b) 1971, Chicago, IL. U.S. Risk started painting graffiti
art on Chicago's rapid transit lines in the early 1980s, he was
among the 1st wave of Chicago urban artists to exhibit artwork
in galleries. In 1986 Erik began doing commissions for several
Chicago interior designers and private collectors. In 1989, He
was chosen
by The Chicago
Public Schools to take part in a City Of Chicago mural project with
The Chicago Cultural Center's Gallery 37 and Pop Artist Keith Haring.
DeBat attended The American Academy Of Art in Chicago, to study figure
drawing and commercial art. Erik then transferred to The School of
The Art Institute of Chicago to study graphic design, typography,
letterpress, photography, collage, painting and art history. While
studying at The S.A.I.C. with visiting graphic designer Anthony Ma,
he worked on typeface treatments for Rick Valecenti / Thirst
Design on Gilbert Paper "Last Laugh" sample book. DeBat
created and manufactured two international fashion lines, MadFam
Ltd. and SuperBest Inc., which he and partners exported to distributors
in Japan and sold exclusively in N.Y.C., Los Angeles, Chicago, and
Milwaukee.
Erik has freelanced for Chicago advertising agencies and design firms
on projects with clients such as 7/11, Nike Town, 3Com, Motorola,
Kraft, Heller Financial, and Mall of America. DeBat resides in Chicago's
Logan Square neighborhood and runs his own graphic design firm, he
continues to paint and silkscreen in his art studio in Chicago's
Roscoe Village neighborhood. DeBat, has exhibited and sold his art
and design for over 20 years in Chicago galleries, group shows, alternative
spaces, and outside
art festivals. He has been interviewed by several publications and
appeared in artist documentaries and acted in several independent
student films.
Gallery Shows & Exhibits
Graf-Fetish
Show - ArtSF Gallery, San Francisco CA - June 2008
Indy Windy Group Show - Indiana University Northwest’s
Savannah Gallery - June 2008
Boxed Up Group Show at Montana Shop & Gallery, Oak Park IL - May
2008
Graf-Fetish Show - 2NDFLR Gallery, Chicago IL - April
2008
Observation w/ Intent - Co lab w/ Chris Silva - 2NDFLR Gallery,
Chg IL - March 2008
Slow Roll - Solo Show / Installation - Piccolo, Chicago IL - March
2008
Flashback Magazine Fundraiser Group Show - Bloomingdale Arts,
Chg. IL - Feb. 2008
Rooftop Mural X-IT
Clothing Store, Chicago IL - Jan. 2008
Site-Specific Art Installation X-IT Clothing Store, Chicago IL -
Dec. 2007
Private Art Walk Art Institute of Chicago Patrons & Collectors
at MB Gallery - Oct. 2007
101 Paintings Show - Lumpen Times / Co-Prosperity Sphere, Chicago
IL - Oct. 2007
Denim Dilemma: The Original Canvas at University Of Hip Hop, Chicago
IL - Oct. 2007
Blood, Guts, & Gore Show - Revolution Tattoo & Art Gallery,
Chicago IL – Oct. 2007
Space 900 - Boombox: The Group Colabo Show, Chicago IL - Oct. 2007
Video & Art Installation at Funky Buddha Lounge VIP Room, Chicago
IL - Oct. 2007
Chicago Meeting Of Styles Graffiti Art Event, Chicago
IL - Sept.
2007
Video & Art Installation at Sonotheque, Chicago IL - Aug. 2007
Site-Specific Solo Art Installation at Piccolo's Cafe, Chicago
IL - July 2007
Now & Then Group Show at Montana Shop & Gallery,
Oak Park IL - June 2007
The Insider Art Show at 154 W. Hubbard footsteps from Art
Chicago, April – 2007
Twenty Years Solo Painting Retrospective CISA Gallery, Hammond
IN - Mar. 2007
Love is a Four Letter Word Showing at Revolution Tattoo,
Chicago IL - Jan. 2007
The LazerVida Art Collective Group Show, Portland OR. - 2006
The Latchkeys A Native Chicago Artists Group Show, Chicago
IL - 2006
Chicago Meeting Of Styles Graffiti Art Event, Chicago
IL -
2006
Chicago Style Wars Graffiti Art Event, Chicago
IL -
2006
Sneaker Pimps Exhibition Chicago Painting During Lupe Fiasco Performance – 2006
Collaborative Art Installation with Thor for Lumpen Times Adventure
City – 2006
Exhibited Artwork at Lollapalooza Music Festival in Grant Park
Chicago IL - 2006
Live Painting Event at Reserve Nightclub with Trixter Chicago
IL - 2006
Collaborative Letter Art for "You Are Beautiful" City
of Chicago Project - 2006
Art Installation at Co-Op Image Hip Hop & Graffiti Event
Chicago IL - 2006
Exhibited at Party In Conjunction with Old Town Art Fair Chicago
IL – 2006
Sneaker Pimps Exhibition NYC Custom Painted Shoes Show - 2005
Recording with Rock Band Vax Wallo - 2004
Co-Op Image City Wide Graffiti Art Group Show Chicago IL – 2003
Mars Gallery Tunnel Vision Graffiti Art Group Show Chicago
IL – 2003
Touring and Recording with Rock Band Vax Wallo - 1999 through
2002
Night of the Round Tables at Metro Smart Bar Group Show Chicago
IL – 1999
Art Expo Chicago Corosh Gallery Group Show Chicago IL - 1999
Mural Project with Chris Silva and David Cuesta at Division & Western
- 1998
Mars Gallery Decadence Ball Group Show Chicago IL – 1998
Northwest Teleproductions Group Show Chicago IL - 1998
Turnstyles Visual Experience Group Show Chopin Theater Chicago
IL – 1997
Mural Project CTA City Wide Graffiti Contest Chicago IL - 1996
Logan Square
Around The Coyote Group Show Chicago IL - 1996
Mural Project CTA City Wide Graffiti Contest Chicago IL - 1995
Logan Square
432 F Street Clothing Show San Diego CA.- SuperBest Clothing
1995
Mural Project Buena Park Graceland Wall of Fame - "Risk "1995
Curated The At Willow Square Group Art Show - "Around The Coyote" 1994
Action Sports Retail Show San Diego CA. - SuperBest Clothing
1994
432 F Street Clothing Show San Diego CA. - MadFam Ltd. Fashion
Line 1993
Mars Gallery Pop Art Group Show Chicago IL - 1992
World Tattoo Gallery Group Show Chicago IL - Street & Skate
Art 1992
David Leonardis Gallery Group Graffiti Art Show Chicago IL
- 1991
Fun House Gallery Chicago IL - Sex, Drugs & Rock n'Roll Show
1990
Fun House Gallery Chicago IL - "Risk" Neo-Graffiti
Show 1990
Mural Project CPS & Gallery 37 with Keith Haring 1989
Axe Street Arena Chicago IL - Chicago Graffiti Art Show 1986
Academics & Training
Art
Institute of Chicago Chicago IL - 1992 through 1993
American
Academy of Art Chicago IL - 1990 and 1991
Northeastern
Illinois University Chicago IL - 1990
Wright
Junior College Chicago IL - 1990
Lane Technical High School - 1986 through 1989
Work & Experience
Erik DeBat Design Inc. Chicago IL - 1998 through
2008
Freelanced
for Lee Hill Advertising Chicago IL - 1997
Tanagram Partners
Design Firm Chicago IL - 1995 through 1997
MadFam
Ltd. & SuperBest Clothing Company Chicago IL - 1993 though
1995
Freelanced
for JWT Advertising Client 7/11 - 1992
Genesis
Artist Warehouse Chicago IL - 1988 though 1992
Windward
Skateshop Chicago IL - 1987 though 1990
Chicago's Artist Warehouse Chicago IL - 1985 though 1987
Awards
Print's Design Annual 1996 Show NYC AIGA - Certificate of
Design Excellence
