George Klauba (b. 1938) is a former seaman with the U.S. Navy and former commercial artist for Chicago Sun-Times, is self-taught as a fine artist, had been represented for many years by Ann Nathan Gallery until the gallery closed its doors in 2016. His work has been exhibited widely and is in many collections throughout the country. The Illinois State Museum has an extensive collection of Klauba’s work.
To American children of the early 1940s, war was part of daily life-as it was for George Klauba. Today, as an artist, he looks back on that history. His body of work is not standard imagery glorifying war; instead, it presents powerful and moving artwork reflecting scenes from World War II. Through empathetic paintings of the Pacific War, Klauba offers glimpses into the emotions of both sides-Allied and Japanese-as he captures the pathos and brutality of war as well as its valor and heroism. Klauba’s work speaks to many generations, not just the ever-shrinking roster of World War II vets, but the people of the present, reflecting on the current global violence in relation to the lessons taught by the past.
Although part of his work was informed by his time serving the U.S. Navy, his work is not limited by this. Moreover, his work is characterized by his narrative style and story telling, drawing from his experience as a traditional tattoo artist and relating it back to his personal life to blur the lines between painting and tattooing, canvas and flesh.