About the Artist

Mark Nelson, a former Colonial American abroad lives and works in his GringoLandia Studio, located in the heart of Chicago's historic Pilsen neighborhood. His early foundation in painting and training in theater led to a decade of whimsical maze-like installations that wrestled with issues of social justice within and across our borders. Nelson received the esteemed Illinois Arts Council's Fellowship Award twice and a third time as a runner up. His unique paintings and props can be found in exclusive collections such as the limited collection installed in the U.S. Embassy in the Republic of Panama' acquired in 2007 and his 1999 "F22 Dairy Air Enforcer" fighter jet cow installed in front of the Hancock Tower on Michigan Avenue and later auctioned for charity online. One of Chicago's most elusive artists, Mark Nelson's work remains the most unique and difficult to obtain.