Steven Carrelli

Steven Carrelli received a BA in Studio Art from Wheaton College in 1990 and an MFA in Painting from Northwestern University in 1995.  As a 1995-96 Fulbright scholar, he studied egg tempera painting in Florence, Italy.  He has returned to Italy on many occasions to teach and to work.  He lives in Chicago with his wife, the painter Louise LeBourgeois, and he teaches at DePaul University.

Carrelli’s paintings and drawings employ close observation, the poetic possibilities of the commonplace and the contemplative nature of craft to explore themes related to permanence, temporality, ambition and vulnerability.  His works have been exhibited in many solo and group exhibitions and have appeared in a variety of publications, including the Chicago Sun-Times, the Chicago Reader, New American Paintings, Art Scene Chicago 2000, and Time Out Chicago.  Carrelli’s works are included in a variety of private and public collections, including the Illinois State Museum, Elmhurst College, The College of Lake County, Northwestern University, and DePaul University, among others.  Awards include grants from the Ruth and Harold Chenven Foundation of New York, the Chicago Department of Cultural Affairs, and the Union League of Chicago. 

His work is represented by Packer Schopf Gallery in Chicago.