Carl Wilen

Carl Wilen uses his imagination, intellect, humor, and sense of the absurd to combine both high and pop culture into a fearless commentary on human foibles, technology and creativity. Wilen has dedicated decades to his personal, creative pursuits resulting in inventive paintings, drawings and sculptural constructions. Drawing since the age of six, influenced by comic strips, model building, and the contraptions of Rube Goldberg, Wilen merges those techniques with interests in psychology, philosophy, literature, and art history.

His work has been exhibited at The Union League of Chicago; 62nd Chicago and Vicinity Exhibition, The Art Institute of Chicago; Mid-America Exhibition, Kansas City; Ball State Drawing and Small Sculpture exhibition, The Tarble Art Center among many others. In addition, with an MFA from the University of Illinois, he was a dedicated and respected professor of art. Having retired in 1994, he is the former Professor Emeritus of Eastern Illinois University.