If you’ve ridden the Blue Line recently, you’ve likely seen Ruben Aguirre’s art. Between Western and Damen, a bright blue wall of shape and pattern catches your eye. The familiar visual language of graffiti mixes with abstract formalism to a stunning effect.
Ruben Aguirre’s artwork exists at an intersection of styles and mediums that feels unique to Chicago, traversing murals, graffiti, and abstract painting. His style is full of bright, flat colors and swooping lines reminiscent of graffiti wildstyle lettering. Layering and texture complicates the compositions, drawing viewers’ eyes deeper into the thicket of color and expression.
Ruben draws inspiration from many diverse sources including nature, urban architecture, the human body, and topography. He got his start in the graffiti scene, something which clearly animates his one-of-a-kind style. He’s also created tons of murals–both public and private. Whether on city streets or within corporate offices, his sprawling larger pieces toy with spatial relationships and dimension.
We’re lucky to have worked with Ruben for several years on various projects, including his mural at Adidas and his collaboration with Sam Kirk at PepsiCo last year. We were excited to see his first solo museum exhibition at the National Museum of Mexican Art, entitled Tectonic Reflections.
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