Visual Arts Faculty
Associate Professor of Visual Art
extension 3821
Michael "Chester" Costello has been producing photo-based projects designed to function in non-traditional exhibition settings for over 15 years.
Working under the title, Alamo & Costello, he recently completed: Appleseed International 1999-2004. This social experiment included site visits to 40 cities in 14 countries. Costello is currently working upon New Street Agenda. Since October 2005, a series of works intended to be placed in the public domain have been produced through contrasting street communications and imagery from various cities in Africa, Asia, Europe, North, and South America. Regionally, his photographs have been a part of the Museum of Contemporary Photography Chicago's Midwest Print Study Project.
Costello's academic focus is on the practice, history, and theory of photography. Specifically, he lectures on topics that address application and symbolism in visual culture, 19th c. to digital printing techniques, and select art history and criticism seminars.
Costello's personal work has been reviewed and published in the MCA Magazine Chicago, Public Art Review, Chicago Sun-Times, the New Art Examiner, Chicago Tribune Magazine, De Telegraaf Amsterdam, The Irish Times, The Herald News, and other publications.
He received his Bachelor of Fine Arts (BFA) from John Herron School of Art in Indianapolis, IN, (1992) and his Master of Fine Arts (MFA) from Columbia College Chicago (1998).
To view Costello's personal website please visit: http://www.alamo-costello.net