ARTIST STATEMENT
My artwork is a reflection of myself, my adventures and my lifestyle. I'm always searching of new ways of expressing. That´s why its hard for me to define my work in one technique. I paint, I draw, I do photography, a little of ceramics, macrame, all within the same theme, VTG. Vestigium Tectona Grandis, my actual and most important project so far. Vestigium Tectona Grandis is the project that I have been working on for the past 6 1/2 years. VTG was made with the natural pigment of the Tectona Grandis Tree. V, represents the vestige, the imprint of the plant, vagina, veins, vientre, venus. T is Tectona Grandis, the scientific name of the Teak Tree, transformation, time, transfer. G of Grandis, Tectona Grandis, Gratitude, Gracias, García (my maternal surname). In 2014, I participated in an Art Residency in India where I learned a technique that impacted me. At the time I was living in Colombia my native country and when I got back, I tested a large number of plants and discovered that the Teak leaf would give me the tone that I was searching for. I travelled to La Pintada, Antioquia, Colombia in 2016 to a Teak crop to create my project. On a fabric (Dacron) 60 meters long x 150 cm I made my work. VTG is my umbilical cord with my mother, my connection with the Universe, my relationship with Earth and life, my guts, my glories.
I take pictures of VTG in different locations, I paint it on canvas, draw it on paper, it’s my path to follow. VTG is the cord that is many times present in my work.
BIOGRAPHY
I am a Colombian artist based in West Palm Beach, driven by discipline and a deep passion for my work. I thrive on adventure and the exploration of new ideas to create compelling works of art. My journey into the world of art was ignited by my mother's boundless curiosity and zest for life. Growing up, I had the privilege of experiencing diverse cultures, languages, and people, which has profoundly influenced my artistic perspective.
In 2001, I graduated from Pontificia Universidad Javeriana with a degree in Visual Arts, embarking on a journey into the realm of theater shortly thereafter. This diversification of artistic pursuits has enriched my creative process, allowing me to constantly seek innovative ways to express myself and maintain a dynamic artistic practice. I am continuously exploring new techniques and embracing risks, finding inspiration in the unexpected and seizing opportunities with the first object that comes to hand.
While the past few years have presented challenges, I have navigated through them by immersing myself in various projects, starting from scratch and trusting my instincts. This journey has been transformative, nurturing my growth both as an artist and as an educator. Teaching has opened doors to a wealth of new ideas and aspirations that I never knew existed within me. Guided by my intuition, dreams, and even fears, I have learned to set high expectations and keep my artistic goals alive.
For me, art is more than just a vocation—it is my driving force, the rhythm of my heartbeat, and the reason I wake up eager to create each day. It fuels my soul, providing me with a sense of purpose and fulfillment that transcends all boundaries.
INDIVIDUAL EXHIBITS:
2023 - Soul Talks with Palms - YarnBomb Installation at 509 Lake Avenue, Lake Worth Beach CRA, Florida
2019 - Entre Laz-hadas – GRUPO MUJER Y SOCIEDAD / Universidad Nacional de Colombia, Sede Bogotá. 2018 – G – 302 – “REVELACIONES”, Bogotá, Colombia
2016 – LA GALERIA – VESTIGIUM TECTONA GRANDIS – Bogotá, Colombia
2013 – PROYECTO GANADOR – GALERIA NUEVEOCHENTA “DANCING IN THE DARK”- Tercera Intervención del Edificio Terpel de Bogotá. Convocatoria
2013 – GALERIA NE – CIUDADES – Bogotá, Colombia.
2012 – CENTRO CULTURAL GIMNASIO MODERNO – TRAPITOS AL SOL- Bogotá Colombia
2011 – GALERIA NE – CIUDADES IMAGINARIAS – Bogotá, Colombia 2011 – ALIANA FRANCESA DE VALLEDUPAR – Valledupar, Colombia
2010 – MAS ARTE CONTEMPORANEO – CIUDAD LUZ – Bogotá, Colombia
2010 – ALIANZA FRANCESA DE BARRANQUILLA, Barranquilla, Colombia
2008 – CENTRO ITALIANO DI BOGOTA - II INTER-MEDIO– Bogotá, Colombia
2008 – CASA RIAÑO – INTER-MEDIO , Bogotá, Colombia
GROUP EXHIBITS:
2024 -Echoes, Weaving Identities and Belonging at Zhou B Art Center, Chicago, IL.
2024 - Nature’s Palette - Cornell Art Museum, Old School Square of Delray Beach, FL
2024 - OPEN STUDIO - Palm Beach Cultural Council, Florida
2024 - Arts of Life - Benefit auction - Chicago, IL.
2024 - In Si-tu - Arts Warehouse of Delray, Florida
2024 - Near the rivers there are many large springs, CORAL SPRINGS MUSEUM OF ART,Fl
2024 - The Power of Pollinators, Palm Beach Cultural Council - Chosen work for makerting of the exhibit - Florida, US
2024 - Faculty and Student Exhibition, Armory Art Center, West Palm Beach, Fl.
2023 - YARN BOMB installation for the HATCH 1121, Dia de los Muertos, Lake Worth Beach CRA, Florida
2023 - Biennial 2023 - Palm Beach Cultural Council, Lake Worth, Florida
2023 - Armory Art Center - West Palm Beach, Florida 2022 - Morphogenesis, The Frank Gallery, Miami, Pembrooke Pines, Miami
2022 - Palm Beach Cultural Council, Lake Worth, Florida 2022 - Armory Art Center - West Palm Beach, Florida 2021 - Gallery Sausalito, Princess Court, Downtown Sausalito, California
2021 - F.R.I.E.N.D.S – Galería Compacta, Bogotá - Colombia - VIRTUAL EXHIBIT - http://container-open.space/friends4/
2020 - Reawakening to the Beauty of the West Coast-Art Scene West. San Diego,CA 2020 - Latin America Corona Virus ONLine Exhibit - Asian Art Magazine, China
2020 – GALERIA ELVIRA MORENO – TELEFOTO – 01 – Virtual Exhibit – Bogotá, Colombia 2020 - The Artists’ Studio & GALLERY of Tequesta. Tequesta, Fl
2018 - 2019 – FRAMExperience – Sagamore Hotel – 55 Bellechasse. Miami, US – Art Basel week
2018 - 5th Biennial of Fine Art & Documentary Photography in Barcelona
2018 – GALERIA EL MUSEO: Lenguajes de Papel, Bogotá,Colombia
2017 – ArtMed – Galeria Color y Forma, Medellin, Colombia
2017 - FACA – Buenos Aires, Ar – Galeria DC Arte, Bogotá, Colombia
2017 – ARTLIMA - X Espacio (Mexico)
2017 - X Espacio –DF, Mexico
2016 – SCOPE ART – MARK HACHEM GALLLERY – Paris, France
2016 – BARCÚ – X Espacio (Mexico)
2016 – ART CHICÓ – Museo del Chicó – Bogotá, Colombia
2016 – ARTMEDELLIN – Galeria Color y Forma – Medellin, Colombia
2016 – FILBO – Arte Dos Gráfico – Galeria Sextante – Bogotá, Colombia
2015 – ORANGE REPUBLIC – Miami, Art Basel Week
2015 – COLONIAL FEST. – Republica Dominicana. Santo Domingo
2015 – ART CHICO – Milena Arango, Museo del Chico, Bogotá, Colombia
2015 – ART MEDELLIN – Milena Arango, Medellin, Colombia
2015 – 12th BIENAL DE LA HABANA, CUBA “EL HOMBRE Y EL UNIVERSO” – Academia Nacional de Bellas Artes San Alejandro. http://www.eltiempo.com/entretenimiento/arte-y-teatro/bienal-de-la-habana/15805977
2015 – ARTE AL NATURAL – Museo de Arte y Cultura Colsubsidio, Bogotá, Colombia http://publico2.colsubsidio.com:8081/image/museo-de-arte/programacion.pdf
2015 – ART WYNWOOD 2015 – Galeria Casa Cuadrada Booth B-26 2015 – Hotel La Passion – Cartagena de Indias – Curaduria – Ricardo Arcos-Palma.
2014 – BARCU – Feria de Arte de Bogotá, Colombia – Galeria Casa Cuadrada, Bogotá
2014 – BIBLIOTECA JULIO MARIO SANTODOMINGO, “Muñecos de loza”. Bogota, Colombia.
2013 – SUBASTA CASA CHRISTIE´S – Barranquillarte- 2013.
2012 – TERCERA SUBASTA DE LALOCALIDAD DE USAQUEN. Bogotá. Colombia.
2012 – GALERIA MEZANINE – “Muñecos de Loza”, Bogotá, Colombia.
2012 – CRISTINA CHACON GALLERY, “Small Works” Miami, US.
2012 - MAS: ARTE CONTEMPORANEO –Formato Chiq II– Bogota, Colombia
2011 – MAS: ARTE CONTEMPORANEO –Formato Chiq– Bogota, Colombia
2011 – B&B Museo di Arte Contemporanea,- Sardegna, Italia 2011 – CRISTINA CHACON GALLERY – SYENERGY – Miami, USA
2010 – CRISTINA CHACON STUDIO GALLERY, Miami, USA 2009 - LA PAZ ESPACIO DE ARTE, Afortunada – mente – BsAs, Ar.
2009 – GALLERY NIGHTS BUENOS AIRES, Galeria el Gato Viejo, BsAs, Ar.
2001 - UNIVERSIDAD DE LOS ANDES: Proyecto de Grado:
2001 - SALA DE ESPERA: Proyecto de Grado 2000 - PONTIFICIA U. JAVERIANA (Facultad de Artes):
2000 - SALA DE ESPERA: Encuentro de Artistas Javerianos.
UNIVERSITY
1995 - 2001 - VISUAL ARTS - PONTIFICIA UNIVERSIDAD JAVERIANA
2007 - Museo Nacional de Bellas Artes - Buenos Aires, Argentina -
MAESTRO: ARIEL MLYNARCEWICKS – La Mirada que Pinta.
ART RESIDENCIES
2016 - 2017 - WOOF
2014 – TASARA INTERNATIONAL WORKSHOP 2014– TASARA WEAVING CENTER. Calicut, India.
2011 – RESIDENCIA DE ARTE - B&B MUSEO DE ARTE CONTEMPORANEA, Collinas, Sardegna, Italia - Workshop – Evolución Creativa
GRANTS
2020 - COVID Grant for California Artist
2024 - MIA GRANT 2023 - 24
Here I am. Perfomance - Bogotá, Colombia, 2018