1958 | He was born in Montevideo where he lives and works.
¿I¿m interested in using a language that is free from academic traditions and where materials spoke for themselves¿.
¿These series of works that combine different techniques and disciplines are the result of an uninterrupted research I have been doing for thirty years. By recycling some waste elements, finding new readings and functions in pieces of old realities, a new work of local nature but universal contents is born: love, life and death, religion and myths, a personal search, individual, universal or collective systems of symbols are united or blended in the collage on a plane or the assemblage in a volume piece and in objects. Woods, strips of leather and bone, clay and straw used in patinas reflect a long River Plate tradition, but they are also universal materials that man has used since the beginning of times; old pictures and glazed tiles, dating from the 19th century some of them, refer us to the cultural origins in our colonial times. As regards expression, this work belongs to the Arte Povera since materials are simple and, above all, the language used is free from academic traditions. Materials speak for themselves and are powered by a careful composition.¿ Gustavo Fernández.
ACADEMIC BACKGROUND, TEACHING AND GROUP ACTIVITIES
He studied architecture and archeology at the University of the Republic, Uruguay. He also took the following courses:
- Xylography, Painting and Pottery, Prof. Salomón Azar, 1975.
- Gobelin tapestry, Prof. Carlos Bermúdez, 1978.
- Sculpture, Prof. Freddie Faux, 1978.
- Ceramics, murals y pottery in ¿Ceramica del carrito¿, 1978.
- Painting and mixed techniques, Profs. Clever Lara and Carlos Caffera, 1981.
- Metal engraving, Prof. David Finkbeiner, 1986.
- Handmade paper, Prof. Lawrence Barker, 1986.
He has been teaching different techniques and disciplines for the last 25 years. In 1985 he joined the ¿Prisma¿ group with Clever Lara, Álvaro Amengual, José Pelayo, Juan Fuentes, Álvaro Zinno and Pedro Peralta.
In 1993 he joined the ¿Taller La Oriental¿ group with the plastic artist Patricia Vásquez.
INDIVIDUAL AND COLLECTIVE EXHIBITIONS AND AWARDS (summary)
- 2006. Participates in Arte Arte Fair, Conrad Hotel, Punta del Este.
- 2005. Solo exhibition ¿Mixed Techniques¿ De la Bahia Gallery, Montevideo
- 2004- Collages, exhibition in Libertad bookshop with Vladimir Muhvich. Montevideo, Uruguay.
- 2004 Paintings and sculptures in ¿De la Bahía¿ gallery with the painter Álvaro Bustello, Montevideo, Uruguay.
- 2003 "5 artistas, 5 técnicas¿ (5 Artists, 5 Techniques), collective exhibition, Bank Boston Foundation. Santiago de Chile, Chile.
- 1999 - 2000 First and second ¿Remate de artistas contemporáneos del Uruguay¿ (Uruguay Contemporary Artists Auction).
- 1999 ¿Bajo el signo de la comadreja¿ (Under the sign of the weasel) ¿ Individual exhibition of sculptures, objects, paintings and assamblages. Carlos Federico Sáez Hall, Ministry of Transport and Public Works, Montevideo, Uruguay.
- 1997 He was awarded a prize in the ¿Primera bienal del objeto artesanal¿ (First biennal of artcrafts) with the artist Patricia Vásquez, both as ¿La Oriental¿ Workshop. Montevideo, Uruguay.
- 1996 He exhibited his sculptures and assemblages with Javier Gil in ¿Sur¿ gallery, Punta del Este, Uruguay.
- 1994 ¿Cave Canem¿- Individual exhibition of sculptures, objects, paintings, assemblages, Montevideo Town Council, Montevideo, Uruguay. Montevideo, Uruguay.
- 1991 His work is submitted to La Havana Biennale.