“Czr Prz, whose intricate street art mixes the bravado of graffiti with the meticulousness of comic book art”
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Czr Prz (Caesar Perez) is an urban contemporary artist working in sculptural fabrication, large-scale aerosol murals, and all manner of design. Born and raised in working class Chicago, Prz’s 20 year creative career has spanned America all the way to Europe. Across their multifaceted media, Prz’s artworks tell stories in the folklorico tradition instilled by his Latino-Caribbean upbringing.
Prz recovered from Hodgkins Lymphoma in 2015, a battle that halted his trips abroad, resuming his creative practice without missing a beat. In the past year alone, Prz has painted murals for CATAN in Albany Park and Paint Memphis Fest in Tennessee. Prz’s fine art fabrication has shown at Modern Eden Gallery in San Francisco and Epiphany Center for the Arts, where he’s the curator behind Idol Hands, a group show centered around craft on view through Feb. 2022. Prz is also one half of Ava Grey, a creative firm based in Chicago’s South Side.
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"My work captures the dreamlike nature of reality with a colorful clarity that still feels surreal. I explore and harness the language of symbolism, drawing from both traditional and pop culture sources. Birds are a recurring subject in my work—they serve as universal symbols across cultures, admired for their intelligence, agility, and mysticism. Ancient, natural elements like these take on fresh voices when placed in harmony with the futuristic, otherworldly undertones innate to my style.
Growing up in Chicago during the ’80s and ’90s, I was surrounded by an abundance of creative resources. First and foremost, my artwork reflects a deep reverence for the folklórico storytelling tradition passed down through my family. My artistic influences range from the Renaissance and Impressionist masters to modern movements like graphic novels and graffiti. These influences naturally merge in my work, bridging the past and present within enigmatic scenes—places beyond time, like a half-remembered dream.
Even the mediums I work in hold deep personal significance. Public art has always been a natural fit—like most kids in my social circle, I wrote graffiti. If you didn’t, you definitely knew someone who did. Street art shaped my path in many ways, some challenging but mostly rewarding. At the same time, my canvases pay homage to the masters who came before me. And my work in sculptural fabrication connects back to my working-class roots, proving that heavy machinery can still produce delicately detailed results."
I came up in Chicago during the 80’s and 90’s, and we had a lot of resources at our disposal. First and foremost, my artwork practices a great reverence for the folklorico storytelling tradition I’ve inherited from my family. Art history also factors in, inspired by Renaissance artists and the Impressionists Modern influences like graphic novels and graffiti inevitably permeate my practice, bridging the gap between past and present in these enigmatic scenes—a place beyond time, like a half-remembered dream.
Even the media I work in hails from a significant place in my heart. Public artwork proves a natural fit—like most kids, I used to tag. If you didn’t, then you definitely knew someone who did where I lived. Art on the streets has altered my life, definitely. Canvases call out to the the storied Masters who took up this pursuit before me. And sculptural fabrication harkens back to the working class roots that raised me, proving heavy machinery can still produce delicately detailed results.
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WGN NEWS - Channel 9 Chicago feature on artist Czr Prz for “Art Week”
WQAD - Mercado on Fifth unveils murals from artist Czr Prz dedicated to Latino community
QC TIMES - Mercado on Fifth brightens up new building with murals
CHICAGO SUN-TIMES - Once-gritty Pilsen rail viaduct at Peoria Street transformed into outdoor gallery
BLOCK CLUB CHICAGO - Artist Czr Prz’s Ava Grey Studio Opening Studio In Pilsen: ‘This Is Huge For Us’
THE CHICAGOIST - The South Loop Is About To Get A Mural-Filled Makeover
PURE WOW - Chicago's 9 Coolest Murals
VOYAGE CHICAGO - Art & Life with Czr Prz - Voyage Chicago
JUXTAPOZ - Czr Prz Throws "Darts on a Map" @ Line Dot, Chicago
STREET ART NYC - The New Lombardy Walls Project: Bianca Romero, Dain, Chris RWK, Marthalicia, Czr Prz, Jappy Lemon, Will Power & Albertus Joseph
WHITE HOT MAGAZINE - Idol Hands at Epiphany Center for the Arts
HOLA AMERICA NEWS - Mercado on 5th unveils murals | Hola America News
CHICAGOIN RECESS - October 2020 – Czr Prz - Recess at City Hall
SECRET CHICAGO - 25 Must-See Street Art Murals That Prove Chicago's Art Scene Is Legendary
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2022
Featured Artist “Big Walls Big Dreams” Mural Festival - Houston TX - November
“Delicate Power” Group Show - Elephant Room Gallery/Blackstone Hotel - Chicago IL November
“VIVA MERCADO!!” Mural for Mercado Center - Moline IL/Quad Cities - November -
“Thing Or Two” Group Show - Vertical Project Space - Chicago IL - October
Featured Artist “Plaza Walls” Mural Festival - Oklahoma City OK - October
“10x10” Group Show - Jackson Junge Gallery - Chicago IL - September
Mural for “POPGROVE!” Beautification Program - Chicago IL - September
Crosswalk Installation for the West Loop Chamber during the Aberdeen Street Festival - Chicago, IL - August
Featured Artist “Color The Creek” Mural Festival - Battle Creek MI - August
“BullsFest 2022” Group Show - All Star Press/Chicago Bulls - Chicago IL - August
Featured Artist “Graniti Arts Residency” - Graniti Sicily, Italy - July -
Mural for Wicker Park/Buck Town Public Arts Program - Chicago IL - June
Collaboration with Patron Tequila - Art Installation- Chicago IL - May
“NFT For Good” Charity campaign with Third Rail Arts - National campaign - April
“Spotlight Showcase 2022” Group Show - ArchEnemy Arts - Philadelphia PA - March
Mural for Colegio Cilin - Boca Del Rio, Veracruz Mex - February
Guest Speaker on Public Art at the Boca Del Rio Cultural Center - Boca Del Rio Veracruz Mex - February
Mural for CBTIS 268 School - Boca Del Rio, Veracruz Mex - February - Featured Artist “Akumal Arts Festival” - Akumal, QNTRO, Mex - Jan
