West Chicago picks judge for Community Banner exhibit

International artist Bodo Gsedl will judge submissions for this year's Community Banner Art Exhibit in West Chicago.

The banners will be displayed from May through September in the city's downtown. The submission deadline is Friday, Feb. 2.

Gsedl is an accomplished portrait artist who works in pencil, charcoal and pastels and lives in West Chicago's Sister City of Taufkirchen (Vils), Germany.

He also is proficient in oils, watercolor and mixed media, and for 10 years has maintained a studio in Wasserschloss (Water Castle), a magnificent historical building in Taufkirchen (Vils) that first was written about in 1263.

Gsedl is a member of the Federal Organizations of Professional Artists and the brother of West Chicago resident, photographer and Cultural Arts Commission member Uwe Gsedl. His connection to West Chicago was solidified in 1976, when he spent a year in the city as a foreign exchange student.

During the past several years, Bodo Gsedl has exhibited his works in the area in which he lives, as well as in Munich and other places in Germany. In recent years, he has become known for his large portraits.

His method is to take a photograph of his subject, and through his interactions and observations over time, to become acquainted. In this way, Gsedl says he's able to capture spontaneous expression from which he then arranges his personal artistic view.

Organizers say having an artist of his caliber involved with the project will elevate interest among area artists to submit their work and bring attention to West Chicago's creative efforts.

Artists of all levels are invited to submit their original pop art through an online application on the city's website, westchicago.org.

For information, or questions about the 2018 Community Banner Art Exhibit, call (630) 293-2200, ext. 139.