Beta

Beta is a visual solo art exhibition by Wasalu Jaco, featuring his acrylic works on canvas paintings. It was held from September 23, 2016, to December 23, 2016, at the Ed Paschke Art Center. Jaco said in a statement, "I am thrilled to show my work in my home city of Chicago and the Ed Paschke Art Center. The themes I explore are perfectly suited for the art center's mission to provide an accessible, open space for emerging artists." Each piece features a signature mori skull symbol. The artwork, "Uomo Mangiato Tigre (Man Eating Tiger)," has been used for the cover artwork for his Tetsuo & Youth album (2015).

Biography[]

Visual artist, rapper and entrepreneur Wasalu Jaco was born and raised in Chicago's west side. He made his debut as hip-hop artist Lupe Fiasco in 2006 with his album "Lupe Fiasco's Food & Liquor," which earned him a grammy nomination. About three years ago, Jaco began exploring his visual craft with a few small shows of photography and installation works. In 2015, Jaco exhibited his first full body of work at the Soho House in Chicago. Additionally, Jaco used one of his own paintings as the cover art for his last studio album on Atlantic Records: Tetsuo & Youth.^[1]

Background[]

One of the co-founders of the museum, Lionel Rabb, said, "It's interesting to see an artist successful in one practice go to another one. His work is new, compelling, colorful and challenging and I think Ed would be proud of it." He continued, "I wouldn't say there's a specific theme around this. Each piece has its own opportunity to make a statement from what the viewer feels from it. I think people will react to it in different ways."^[2]

Initially "Beta" was open from September 23rd to November 30th, though extended for three more weeks.^[3] Chuck Anderson, the photographer who shot Food & Liquor, also viewed the exhibition.^[4] In the Fall 2019 edition of AirChicago, it mentioned the museum as one of Jaco's "favorite spots" in his home city.^[5]