Artists’ Proof
Curated by H Schenck
About the Artist
Printmaker, audio engineer, and first-gen Mexican American artist Jose Casales seeks to capture the turbulent world through print. During the early stages of COVID-19, their relationship to printmaking transformed. What was once a relatively new medium, developed into an outlet for healing and understanding. They have used this medium to voice their thoughts on a range of subjects such as Mexican and American social matters, mental health, and the brutal contemporary world. Jose currently teaches traditional and experimental printmaking to young students at Marwen. He ultimately hopes that his works and teachings can inspire a younger generation of printmakers and artists. Casales received his B.A. in audio design with a minor in fine arts at Columbia College Chicago.
Artist:
Social media: @josecanyoucee
Exhibition
Artists’ Proof
Artist Statement
While my major stems from an audio engineering background, it was through my minor program in fine arts that I discovered printmaking and its many forms. The balance of audio and fine arts both challenged and expanded my outlook in two fields which surprisingly played out differently post-college. With the sudden halt of the pandemic right in the midst of my printmaking intro, my desire to continue my practice felt out of necessity and remedy. I was ultimately left with the limitations of working from home as well as learning the limitations of print itself.
What continues to fascinate me about printmaking are the processes that allow me to combine different print methods to achieve more elaborate and thoughtful prints. This approach of combining print mediums also invites me to think more methodically about my works and how the limitations of printmaking can be a great alternative, rather than an obstacle. Knowing the limitations of printmaking is a testament of what you can make best with what you have, rather than having all the equipment in the world.
Having maintained my admiration for printmaking after college and throughout the pandemic has developed into a professional teaching career that I would have never expected. Upon looking for work opportunities I found a teaching artist position within Marwen that would not only help maintain my practice, earn a living, but to ultimately share my knowledge and expertise to a broader/local scale. Within my time as a teaching artist, I’ve found joy in teaching these techniques as well as appreciating the minds and ideas of students.
The Rat King
Screenprint
18″ x 24″
Pick Your Poison
Mixed media screenprint
17″ x 19.5″
Narco Junior
Monotype and screenprint
14″ x 21.5″
Define the Great Line
Cyanotype, gelli, and relief
7.75″ x 10″
Señor Chinelo
Monotype and screenprint
12″ x 18″
Know Fear
Screenprint on silver Duralar
19.75″ x 27″
El Jimador
Monotype and screenprint
8″ x 10″
Aguilas Caen (Eagles Fall)
Monotype and woodcut
9″ x 12″
Teen Studio Workshop: Halloween Block Prints at Art Institute Chicago
Student screenprint on fabric made at Marwen