Anthony Adcock

Anthony Adcock (b. 1987) blends his unique experiences working as a Local #1 Ironworker and as an artist to create works that explore the relationship between labor and value. Using illusionistic trompe l’oeil painting, sculpture, and drawing, he distorts the line between reality and perception to question the importance and relevancy of authorship. He received a Master of Fine Arts degree from the University of Chicago and a Bachelor of Fine Arts degree from the American Academy of Art with a specialization in oil painting. His work has been published in New American Paintings, Newcity Art, the Examiner, and other publications. His artwork has been collected by 21c Museum, the Roy Liechtenstein family, and many other private collectors, nationally and internationally. Anthony’s work has been exhibited throughout the country in various galleries and venues including Volta/Armory Show, Art Miami, the Ukrainian Institute of Modern Art, Logan Center Gallery, and many others. He has contributed in performances for artist William Pope.L at the Museum of Contemporary Art in Chicago and at the Whitney Biennial. Anthony continues to work out of his studio in his hometown of Chicago.

Selected as a Portrait Society of America Finalist in the 28th Annual International Portrait Competition, 2026; 1st Place, Winner of the Art for Life Exhibition, Merchandise Mart, Chicago, IL, 2023; ArtsSciences collaboration grant, University of Chicago, An Artistic Collision, 2013; 1st place, Emerging Artists, Beverly Arts Center, Chicago, IL, 2012; Best in Show, Brainstorm 2011 National Juried Competition, Governors State University, IL, 2011; Best in Show, Beverly Art Competition, Beverly Arts Center, Chicago, IL, 2010; Juror‘s Choice Award, Chicago Art Open, River East Art Center, Chicago, IL, 2010; Proclamation from the City of Hickory Hills commending artistic creativity, 2009; Best of Show, Bill L. Parks Gallery, Chicago, IL, 2009; Peter C. Berry Memorial Scholarship, Bill L. Parks Gallery, Chicago, IL, 2009

New American Paintings, #NAP Legacy Addendum, 2025; NewCity Art, “Congregate Around a Shared Lack: A Review of Anthony Adcock at Ignition Project Space,” 2024, https://art.newcity.com/2024/12/05/congregate-around-a-shared-lack-a-review-of-anthony-adcock-at-ignition-project-space/; NewCity Art, “What Would Giotto Do?” A Review of Anthony Adcock at Addington Gallery, 2024, https://art.newcity.com/2024/04/25/what-would-giotto-do-a-review-of-anthony-adcock-at-addington-gallery/; Sliced Bread Magazine, University of Chicago, Fall Issue, 2022; Face the Truth, podcast with Jason Seiler, episode 119, 2021; The Point, Issue #21, Safety Meeting by Bud Smith, 2020; NewCity Art, The Hidden Beauty of Labor: A review of Blue Collar at UIMA, 2019, https://art.newcity.com/2019/09/03/the-hidden-beauty-of-labor-a-review-of-blue-collar-at-uima/; Voyage Chicago, Meet Anthony Adcock in Chicago, 2018, http://voyagechicago.com/interview/meet-anthony-adcock-anthony-adcock-chicago/; NewCity Art, Skillful, Stunning Trompe L’oeil Painting, 2016, http://art.newcity.com/2016/09/13/skillful-stunning-trompe-loeil-painting/; NewCity Art, Anthony Adcock, 2014, http://art.newcity.com/2014/05/17/review-anthony-adcockpacker-schopf-gallery/; Examiner.com, Anthony Adcock Cons Perception in Con-Struct, 2014, http://www.examiner.com/article/anhony-adcock-cons-perception-con-struct-exhibition-at-packer-schopf-gallery; New American Paintings, midwest issue #107, 2013; Examiner.com, “Finding Inspiration: Anthony Adcock” by Jeff Stevenson, 2012, http://www.examiner.com/examiner/x-9891-Chicago-Museum-Examiner~y2009m12d2-Finding-Inspiration-Anthony-Adcock

Solo Exhibitions: In Standstill, Ignition Project Space, Chicago, IL, 2024; Gridlock, Addington Gallery, Chicago, IL, 2024; Expect Delays, Kasper Contemporary, New York, NY, 2024; Work in Progress, Povos Chicago, Chicago, IL, 2022; Workers in Progress, University of Wisconsin-Madison, WI, 2022; Honest Work, Oliva Gallery, Chicago, IL, 2022; The Unknown Boot Print and Other Stories, Kasper Contemporary, New York, NY, 2022; Blue Collar, (2 person exhibition), Ukrainian Institute of Modern Art, Chicago, IL, 2019; Foundation, Lyons Wier Gallery, New York, NY, 2018; Units of Measure, Bernard Gallery, Calumet College of St. Joseph, IN, 2017; Marks of the Trade, Lyons Wier Gallery, New York, NY, 2016; Next, VOLTA, Pier 90, Lyons Wier Gallery, New York, NY, 2016; The Already Made, Safety-Kleen Gallery One, Elgin Community College, Elgin, IL, 2015; Con-Struct, Packer Schopf Gallery, Chicago, IL, 2014; Between Perception and Reality, Union League Club of Chicago, Chicago, IL, 2010; Anthony Adcock, Western University, Garwood Hall, Macomb, IL, 2010

Selected Group Exhibitions: Goldilocks Moment, SoNa Gallery, Chicago, IL, 2026; Material Witness, 1545 N. Western Ave, Chicago, IL, 2026; Mark Makers, South Shore Arts, Munster, IN, 2026; Chicago Voices, Addington Gallery, Chicago, IL, 2025; Congregation, Povos Chicago, Chicago, IL, 2025; Lure of the Local: PORTALS, Mundelein Arts Commission, Mundelein, IL, 2025; The Light of Day, Curators Gone Rogue, Chicago, IL, 2025; Fool Me Twice, Robert Lange Studios, Charleston, SC, 2025; Thirst Trap, Bridgeport Art Center, Chicago, IL, 2024; Making Space, ALMA 3636 S. Iron st. Chicago, IL, 2024; Urban Alchemy: Seeking the Spirit of the City, Addington Gallery, Chicago, IL, 2024; Casting Shadows, ALMA 3636 S. Iron st. Chicago, IL, 2024; Bloom, Povos Chicago, Chicago, IL, 2023; ALMA Auction, ALMA 3636 S. Iron st. Chicago, IL, 2023; Art for Life Award Winner Exhibition, 33 Contemporary Gallery, Chicago, IL, 2023; Art for Life, Merchandise Mart, Chicago, IL, 2022; Small But Mighty, Addington Gallery, Chicago, IL, 2022; Wiggle Room, Facility Theater, Chicago, IL, 2022; Passing Through, Logan Center Gallery, University of Chicago, Chicago, IL, 2022; Truth or Dare: A Reality Show, 21c Museum, Bentonville, AR, 2022; Threaded Together, ALMA 3636 S. Iron st., Chicago, IL, 2022; Alma 2, 3636 S. Iron St. Chicago, IL, 2022; Atomic Number 13, Vertical Gallery, Chicago, IL, 2021; ALMA, 3636 S. Iron St. Chicago, IL, 2021; Still Holds Up, The Drive-In Space, Wilmette, IL, 2021; Truth or Dare: A Reality Show, 21c Museum, Louisville, KY, 2020–2021; Atlas Unlimited (Acts V - VI), Logan Center Gallery, University of Chicago, Chicago, IL, 2019; D6 Design + Art 12, Dock 6 Collective, Chicago, IL, 2019; Truth or Dare: A Reality Show, 21c Museum, Cincinnati, OH, 2018–2019; Summer Sessions, Lyons Wier Gallery, New York, NY, 2018; Concrete, Paper, and Plastic, Aron Packer Projects, Chicago, IL, 2018; Truth or Dare: A Reality Show, 21c Museum, Nashville, TN, 2017–2018; Art Miami, Lyons Wier Gallery, Booth A232, Miami, FL, 2017; Construct: Contemporary Artists Exploring the Built Environment, Jack Olson Gallery, Northern Illinois University, IL, 2017; Handwringers and Tire Kickers, Fireplace 1, Chicago, IL, 2017; Luminance, Lyons Wier Gallery, New York, NY, 2017; Art Miami, Lyons Wier Gallery, Booth B407, Miami, FL, 2016; RESURRECTION, Aron Packer Projects, Co-Prosperity Sphere, Chicago, IL, 2016; Summer Sessions, Lyons Wier Gallery, New York, NY, 2016; Atelier, Weatherhead Gallery, University of St. Francis, Fort Wayne, IN, 2015; Lollipop Guild, Lovetts Gallery, Tulsa, OK, 2015; Tales of Urban Decay, Repertorio, London, UK, 2015; American Academy of Art Faculty Exhibition, Bill L. Parks gallery, Chicago, IL, 2014; CONTEXT/Art Miami, Packer Schopf Gallery, booth E4, Miami, FL, 2013; SYZYGY, Bridgeport Art Center, Chicago, IL, 2013; Wayward, Logan Center Gallery, University of Chicago, Chicago, IL, 2013; Logan Arts Center Opening, Logan center, University of Chicago, Chicago, IL, 2013; American Academy of Art Faculty Exhibition, Bill L. Parks gallery, Chicago, IL, 2013; Ways of Making, Governors State University, University Park, IL, 2012; Hauntology, DOVA Temporary, University of Chicago, Chicago, IL, 2012; Realism on the Edge, M Gallery of Fine Art, Charleston, SC, 2012; So Real, Governors State University, University Park, IL, 2012; Emerging Artists, Beverly Arts Center, Chicago, IL, 2012; Celebrating 125 Years of Collecting Art, Union League Club of Chicago, Chicago, IL, 2011; Brainstorm 2011 National Juried Competition, Governors State University, University Park, IL, 2011; True Art and Ink, Chicago True Blue Tattoo, Chicago, IL, 2011; Pigs on Parade, Bill L. Parks gallery, Chicago, IL, 2011; St. Laurence high school 50th Anniversary, St. Laurence High School, Burbank, IL, 2011; Beverly Art Competition, Beverly Art Center, Chicago, IL, 2010; Introversion, 1518 N. Milwaukee, Chicago, IL, 2010; Chicago Art Open, River East Art Center, Chicago, IL, 2010; Curator’s Choice, Coalition Gallery, Chicago, IL, 2010; About Face 2, Bill L. Parks gallery, Chicago, IL, 2010; Gifts of Affection, Coalition Gallery, Chicago, IL, 2009; Objects of Affection, Coalition Gallery, Chicago, IL, 2009; Self-Portraits, Barbara & Barbara, Chicago, IL, 2009; 21 in a Million part 2, River East Art Center, Chicago, IL, 2009; 21 in a Million, Coalition Gallery, Chicago, IL, 2009; Autumnal Equinox, Starline Gallery, Harvard, IL, 2009; CAC Chicago Artists Coalition Gallery Opening, Coalition Gallery, Chicago, IL, 2009; Bachelor of Fine Arts show, Bill L. Parks gallery, Chicago, IL, 2009; Around the Coyote, juried arts festival, 1000 n. Milwaukee, Chicago, IL, 2009; Reality Check, Merchandise Mart, Teknion, 10th floor, Chicago, IL, 2009

Contributing Performance: Buckminster Fuller’s Godson’s Sister’s Birthday, University of Chicago, Chicago, IL, 2020–2026; Atlas Unlimited (Acts V - VI), Logan Center Gallery, University of Chicago, Chicago, IL, 2019; Cage Unrequited, William Pope.L, Museum of Contemporary Art, Chicago, IL, 2015; The Limner Performance, (created a series of drawings for the performance) Whitney Biennial, William Pope.L, Whitney Museum of American Art, New York, NY, 2014;

Artist Collective: Member of Post Humanity Group, a University of Chicago alumni collective, 2019–present

Notable Collectors: 21c Contemporary Art Museum; Roy Lichtenstein family; Ukrainian Institute of Modern Art; the University of Wisconsin-Madison; Union League Club of Chicago

Much of my work walks the unpopulated crossroad of hyperrealism and minimal sculpture; it’s generally considered “minimal trompe’oeil” painting by many. My current body of work explores the similarities between the early renaissance, specifically Giotto, and contemporary construction road signage. Using techniques and materials from the 1300’s, I’m rethinking the language of signage and asking questions like “what would Giotto do?”