Biography
Erik DeBat began painting art on Chicago's rapid transit lines in the early 1980s. He was among the first wave of Chicago urban artists to exhibit artwork in galleries. In 1986 DeBat produced commissioned work for Chicago interior designers and private collectors, and in 1989 The Chicago Public Schools chose him to take part in a mural project with The Chicago Cultural Center's Gallery 37, along with pop artist Keith Haring.
DeBat attended The American Academy of Art in Chicago to study figure drawing and commercial art. He later transferred to The School of The Art Institute of Chicago to study graphic design, typography, letterpress, photography, collage, painting, and art history. DeBat, has exhibited his work for over 26 years. He has been interviewed by several publications, and also appeared in artist documentaries.
Education
The School of The Art Institute of Chicago, Chicago
American Academy of Art, Chicago
Awards
Print's Design Annual 1996 Show NYC AIGA - Certificate of Design Excellence
Chicago Transit Authority Mural Project 1995 - Honorable Mention