Rob Vargas is a Chicago-based artist whose work explores the intersections of data, politics, and history. Using computer programming as both a tool, Vargas transforms datasets into layered, abstract, expressive paintings. His practice challenges the idea of data as neutral or objective, revealing its deep entanglement with power, emotion, and the built environment. His paintings incorporate a range of techniques—from stenciling and projection-based transfers to acrylics, spray paint, and unconventional mark-making tools—creating compositions that blend structure and spontaneity. Vargas’s work has been exhibited in galleries and public spaces, engaging audiences in conversations about forces shaping city life.