Roman Villarreal was born and raised near the steel mills on Chicago's southeast side. As a young man of Mexican American heritage, he was familiar with the streets and the toughness needed to survive in the city. In his early twenties Villarreal worked as a steel worker at the U.S. Steel-South Works Plant. It was during this period that he discovered his life's work as an artist. Villarreal has created art in various mediums for more than twenty years.

His paintings and sculptures are sensitive, multi-figured expressions of the human experience, particularly the experience of the Mexican American people and people of color.

Mr. Villarreal has worked with various arts organizations in the City of Chicago and has received numerous public and private commissions. His works are currently in corporate, institutional, and private permanent collections. He has exhibited both nationally and internationally.

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