Artists’ Proof

Curated by H Schenck

Babs Stevenson

About the Artist

Babs is a freelance designer and illustrator based in Chicago, IL. Their artistic journey started in their hometown Aurora, IL, where they were awarded the Outstanding Senior Award in the Fine Arts Department of West Aurora. Today, Babs practices illustration, design and print as well as runs their business ‘babbydoodlz’. They have assisted with several public art projects, worked as an intern for Communities for Police Reform, and held the position of INKfest 2022’s Creative Director. When they’re not working hard in the studio, you can find them on the streets taking pictures of graffiti to use as inspiration on their next project! In the future they hope to develop a community makerspace, and teach lower class artists how to use their art as a form of social movement.

Artist:

Babs Stevenson

Social media: @babbydoodlz on all platforms

Website: www.babbydoodlz.com

Exhibition

H Schenck

Artist Statement

In the midst of today’s chaos, my practice becomes a sanctuary—a place where ideas become actions and perspectives are challenged. My multidisciplinary practice intertwines multiple art forms including graphic design, printmaking, and illustration to create bold and unique compositions. The work I create is heavily influenced by urban culture, current trends, and politics. Street art is a way for me to circulate conversations and bring power back to communities. To me art and design is more than a city mural or a highly valued piece of paper- it is a catalyst for dialogue, empathy, and action. Printmaking is important for me in the advocacy world due to its ability to rapidly reproduce matrices and ideas. I believe in transcending boundaries about what ‘art’ as a concept should be, and value the symbiotic relationship between form and function. I enjoy creating digital landscapes and the process of translating pixels to halftones on my screens. As a designer, I utilize screen printing in a semi-controversial manner; creating limitless messages to be circulated, rather than a finite edition to be personally treasured. As an advocate for public art, I believe in art’s potential to create social change. My current influences include the work of Virgil Abloh, skate culture, and the city of Chicago. I think of my graphic illustration as a parallel to our world, or what our world could be. I believe by combining illustration, graphic design, and screenprinting, I can introduce a fresh new way to convey ideas and inspire creative innovation. Hopefully, my voice can influence others to seek the artistic freedom they too deserve.