Many people are familiar with Chicago artist David Lee Csicsko for his large mosaics that adorn the Belmont CTA station in Lake View, his stained glass creations for churches across the South Side or his books celebrating iconic people in various fields. But a new gallery at the Epiphany Center for the Arts, 201 S. Ashland Ave.
, takes a deeper look at Csicsko’s 35-plus-year career, offering a more holistic view of the multidisciplinary artist’s work. runs through July 27 and features dozens of Csicsko’s works, ranging from some of his first published sketches in the ‘80s to illustrations of famous saints inspired by his Catholic upbringing or posters he’s made for LGBTQ+ organizations across Chicago. It’s at Epiphany to celebrate Pride Month.
“This is an exhibit that reflects who I am, and I’m a complex person,” Csicsko told the Sun-Times. “I happen to be a member of the LGBTQ+ community, but at the same time I have a big history of making pictures. Everything is interconnected in this show.
” David Lee Csicsko, “Campagna Academy 75th Anniversary Mosaics” (2022, foreground) is displayed among his other works at the Epiphany Center for the Arts. Jim Vondruska/For the Sun-Times Central to the gallery is a selection of illustrations Csicsko designed for his one of his four published books: The book features Csicsko’s drawings of 50 LGBTQ+ artists from across the world, accompanied by short biographies written by local LGBTQ+ historian Owen Keehnen. Twe.