Tony Phillips, born in 1937 in Miami Beach, FL, was raised in Rochester, NY, before settling in Chicago, IL, in 1969 where he has been a significant presence in the art community. Phillips pursued his B.A. at Trinity College in Hartford, Connecticut, graduating cum laude in 1960. He continued his education at Yale University's School of Art & Architecture, earning his B.F.A. in 1962 and M.F.A. in 1963. With an illustrious career spanning decades, he has been showcased in various solo and two-person exhibitions, often alongside his wife, Judith Raphael. Notable exhibitions include “The Prior Life of Tony Phillips” at Glow Gallery in Chicago (2019) and collaborations with Judith at The Freeark Gallery and Indiana University Northwest, among others.

Phillips, who also had a distinguished academic career, has been a Professor Emeritus of Painting and Drawing at the School of the Art Institute of Chicago, contributing significantly to the institution since 1969. He has garnered several awards and fellowships, including National Endowment for the Arts Senior Artists Fellowships in 1978 and 1985, and has had his work showcased in prominent public collections. In addition to being an acclaimed artist, Phillips has been active as a curator, visiting artist, and lecturer, further cementing his influence and legacy in the art world.