University
of Illinois at Chicago Office of Public Affairs (MC 288)
601 S. Morgan St., Chicago, IL 60607-7113, (312) 996-3456, www.uic.edu/depts/paff
| October 24, 2001 | Contact:
Amanda Mazur (312) 996-7681; amazur@uic.edu
Bill Burton (312) 996-2269; burton@uic.edu |
UIC FACULTY MEMBER AWARDED MacARTHUR FELLOWSHIP
Inigo Manglano-Ovalle, associate professor in the School of Art and Design in the College of Architecture and the Arts at the University of Illinois at Chicago, is one of 23 recipients of the 2001 MacArthur Fellowship, popularly known as "genius grants." Each recipient will receive $500,000 over five years in support.
"We are truly pleased that Inigo has been honored with this prestigious award," said Chancellor Sylvia Manning. "It speaks to Inigo's great talent and creativity. We are proud to have him on the faculty."
The MacArthur Foundation cites Manglano-Ovalle as, "an artist who uses photography, video, sound and sculpture to create works that illuminate our notions of personal identity and community."
"I am extremely flattered and ultimately humbled," said Manglano-Ovalle. "I am just trudging along trying to do my best and it's really overwhelming and completely unexpected."
Manglano-Ovalle joins 1997 MacArthur fellow Kerry James Marshall, a professor of art at UIC.
Manglano-Ovalle has been a full-time UIC faculty member for the past three years. Previously, he taught at both UIC and the School of the Art Institute of Chicago as an adjunct instructor while working as a practicing artist.
As a practicing artist, Manglano-Ovalle focused on creating public art projects in Miami, San Antonio and Chicago. Prior to joining UIC, he founded Street-Level Studio, now Street-Level Youth Media, a non-profit community-based media center.
"My artwork consistently draws its content from the public realm," said Manglano-Ovalle. "Whether working with DNA samples and genetic engineers, low-rider car clubs and custom car stereos, firearms and ballistic engineering, I try to reduce form and content to solid, minimal elements capable of addressing social and political issues."
The three criteria needed to be selected as a fellow according to the MacArthur Foundation are: "exceptional creativity, promise for important future advances based on a track record of significant accomplishment and potential for the fellowship to facilitate subsequent creative work."
The MacArthur Awards are unrestricted and recipients may use the award however they see fit.
"Although this support is ultimately aimed at providing a catalyst to moving forward, right now I am just looking towards next semester and teaching my favorite class - Sculpture One," said Manglano-Ovalle.
This response does not surprise Judith Russi Kirshner, dean of the College of Architecture and the Arts. "Inigo is an exceptional artist and a generous and imaginative educator." Manglano-Ovalle has been the recipient of numerous awards, including a UIC-University Scholars Award, Great Cities Fellowship, National Endowment for the Arts Visual Artist Fellowship, the Media Arts Award from the Wexner Center for the Arts in Columbia, Ohio for three consecutive years and the Media Arts Residency from the Henry Art Gallery, University of Washington, for two consecutive years.
Manglano-Ovalle received his bachelor of arts degree from Williams College and his master's in fine arts from the School of the Art Institute of Chicago.
- UIC -