The provocative mixed media works of Chicago native William Iaculla are on exhibit at the DePaul Art Museum, 2350 N. Kenmore Ave., through Sept 30.

A reception will be held Sept. 24, from 5 p.m. to 7 p.m. The exhibition, “A Lifetime in the Arts: William Iaculla as Artist and Collector,” and the reception are free and open to the public.

At 80 years old, Iaculla is still a prolific contemporary American artist. He defines himself as a sculptor, yet is considered to be an ambitious printmaker as well. Iaculla’s range of materials include cast bronze, plaster, handmade paper and mixed media ranging from broken crockery and furniture to telephone wire, tar and cast-off machine parts.

According to Louise Lincoln, director of the museum, Iaculla favors the human body as a means of expression. “Whether portraying classicized nudes or a startling assemblage of creatures, he is so focused on bodies that in some works tiny humans pour out of the crevices in the head or neck of a larger figure,” Lincoln said.

In his later years, Iaculla’s expression has become more politically focused—including commentary on the Iraq War. “This is fitting for an artist whose commitments to social justice and religious faith are deep and who understands art making as a form of prayer,” explains Lincoln.

Raised on the West Side of Chicago, Iaculla took art classes at Jane Addams Hull House as a youngster. He also studied art at the School of the Art Institute of Chicago, while earning a bachelor’s degree from DePaul. A teacher by profession, Iaculla has studied with some of Chicago’s leading artists. His work was included in an Art Institute exhibition juried by Willem de Kooning, the highly regarded expressionist painter.

In the late 1950s, Iaculla moved to California where he settled into the thriving arts community of Palo Alto. He continued his teaching career in the Millbrae School District south of San Francisco, and for more than 30 years has been affiliated with the Pacific Art League as a teacher and community leader.

In addition to being an artist and teacher, Iaculla is an avid collector. His collection ranges from old-master prints to photographs taken by his uncle and well-known artist Paul Caponigro.

The DePaul Art Museum is open Monday through Thursday from 11 a.m. until 5 p.m.; Friday from 11 a.m. until 7 p.m.; and Saturday and Sunday from noon until 5 p.m. For more information about “A Lifetime in the Arts” or other museum programs and exhibitions, please call 773/325-7506 or visit the Web site at http://museums.depaul.edu/artwebsite/.

Editors’ Note: J-PEG images of William Iaculla’s works are available upon request.