A practicing artist for 50-plus years, Joseph Burlini has made a name for himself by creating inventive kinetic sculptures and soaring public works. A native of Morton Grove, Burlini has a degree in industrial design from the School of the Art Institute of Chicago and spent six years designing for Sears, Roebuck and Co. before pivoting to making art in a variety of metals and other materials.

Burlini’s works have been commissioned by prominent clients, including The Walt Disney Studios, The Pentagon, the Chicago Symphony Orchestra, McDonald’s and the University of Chicago, as well as basketball great Michael Jordan. He taught sculpture at the Illinois Institute of Technology and is a recipient of the Studs Terkel Humanities Service Award.