Nuestra Palabra: 2023 ALMAAHH & MFA Studio Artists Spotlight!

Tony Diaz will be interviewing a few artists and spotlight them on their artistic work as part of the 2023 ALMAAHH & MFAH community!

Viri Ramos was introduced to painting at an early age by her mother who was a classically trained oil painter. Growing up they would often work along side each other. Upon graduating college, she made the move from Monterrey, México to Houston, Texas. It was during her time living on her own that she discovered acrylics, which were better suited for her not so well ventilated studio apartment. She found in acrylics the best match for her laid back relaxed aesthetic and personality. Her paintings are filled with life and fun. They are happy and playful.. at times serious, but mostly not at all. She favors rough strokes and bold colors.

Instagram: @viriviriramos

Website: www.viriramos.com

Gerardo Rosales born in Venezuela is a multidisciplinary artist and educator who has been living and working in Houston, Texas, for 21 years. Rosales first started producing art as a self-taught artist, before attending the Armando Reverón Art Institute in Caracas, Venezuela, where he earned a B.A. in Fine Art. After graduating, he moved to London to study at Chelsea College of Art and Design, where he obtained an M.A. in Fine Art.

Achieving recognition for his distinct and original work in Latin America's best known art venues, Rosales has continued developing his art career in Houston. Rosales’s art calls attention to social issues, using a personal iconography connected to his experience as an immigrant in the US. His work is informed by traditions of western art and Latin American folk art. Rosales’ latest art projects include: Commissioned to produce 3 big artworks for the new International Arrival Terminal at Bush International Airport; “Juicy Jungle” at Bill Arning Exhibitions, Houston (current) ; “Ornamento y Delito” at Carmen Araujo Arte , Caracas, Venezuela , 2022; “The Tree of Life” at Houston Botanic Garden (current); ¡Displaced Mundo! a wall painting at the Moody Center for the Arts, Rice University, 2021; “The Banquet” a wall painting at Lawndale Art Center , 2021. During 2018 -2019 Rosales was an artist-in-residence in The TransArt Foundation for Art and Anthropology; from 2019-2021was the artist-in-residence at Lawndale Art Center in Houston. He was awarded the 2019 Support for Artists and Creative Individual Grant from the City of Houston, through the Houston Arts Program.

Nela Garzón is a multidisciplinary visual artist with a profound interest in exploring foreign media inspired by traditional crafts and cultures from all over the world. Born and raised in Bogotá, Colombia, she obtained a Bachelor’s of Visual Arts from the Pontificia Universidad Javeriana on 2004. In Colombia she worked as a freelance artist and took part of national exhibitions such as 12 Salón Regional de Artistas, 41 Salón Nacional de Artistas and 4to Salón de Arte Bidimensional. She immigrated to the U.S. on 2010 and settled in Houston on 2012 where she currently lives and works. Her art has been shown around the U.S. On 2019 she was the 1st place award recipient of the Assistance League of Houston Texas Art Show curated by Jennie Goldstein, Assistant Curator of the Whitney Museum of American Art, on 2020 she was selected as a LIFTS grant recipient and two of her works were added to the West Collection located in Philadelphia, PA and on 2022 she was commissioned by the Museum of Fine Arts Houston to create a temporary sculpture that was showcased at the Lillie and Hugh Roy Cullen Sculpture Garden.

Nela Garzón

www.minkstereo.com

Nuestra Palabra is funded in part by the BIPOC Arts Network Fund.

Instrumental Music produced / courtesy of Bayden Records

Website | baydenrecords.beatstars.com