Esp
Eng
biography
CARLOS MEDINA
Barquisimeto, Venezuela, 1953
Lives and works in Paris
Graduated in the School of Visual Art of Caracas in 1975, That same year he was invited by Sofía Imber, director of the Museum of Contemporary Art of Caracas, to hold his first solo exhibition at the museum: Abstracciones geométricas espaciales, presenting about twenty works, including drawings and sculptures made of stone and iron. On the other hand, he received the Sculpture Prize in the 4th National Salon of Young Artists organized by the National Institute of Culture and Fine Arts.
In 1977 he travels to Italy and settles down in Carrara, Italia, with scholarships successively granted by the Italian Government and Foundation for Culture and Arts (Fundarte), Caracas. In this stage develops the exploration of new materials, the practice of superior carving and turning techniques, and also the study of new conceptualizations over tridimensional work.
In Carrara, he assisted at the Professional School of Marble and pursues several courses at the Academy of Fine Arts. He worked and studied bronze sculpturing at Piertasanta in Fonderia Mariani, graphics and engravings at the Rikjscentrum Frans Masareel, Kásterlee, Belgium and sculpturing stone at the Industry Gonari Marmi, Carrara:
During this period he frequented the ateliers and was in contact with international sculptors, among them Gonzalo Fonseca, Carlo Signori, Gio Pomodoro, Alicia Penalba, Sergio di Camargo, Getulio Alviani and also participates in exhibitions, symposia and events in several European countries.
Medina returns to Venezuela in 1984, and he resumes the iron and steel to create more than twenty monumental works in different countries, including Fragment of rain to Caracas, a project presented for the first time in 1989 to the Amuay Oil Refinery (Coro, Venezuela), under the concept of oil drops, and after several attempts it was carried out as a tribute and gift to the city, being selected and promoted by AGM Art Management Group and financed by private companies.
Always focused on geometric abstraction, he moves from volumetric concerns to spatial ones. In the last two decades, he has center his interest on intervening spaces with suspended elements that abandon the supports and integrate light-shadow and space-time. His current work anchor
his attention, as Medina says: "In the essential and imperceptible interpretation of the universe and nature", including his recent urban sculptures, in which transparency or reflection are the means to make the elements float, achieving at the same time integrate the universe or environment that surrounds the sculpture, even the spectator himself.
Since 2016 Medina lives and works in Paris, and is an artist at the emblematic Galerie Denise René in Paris, among others that maintain their presence, both in France and in Venezuela, the United States, Spain and Italy, the main stages of his activity. In collaboration with Atelier Cruz-Diez (France, 2019), he won the contest to carry out the artistic intervention of the Gare Bussy St. George, the gateway to Euro Disney. However, to date its production has not materialized. In addition, he has been awarded some thirty prizes and recognitions granted by art and cultural organizations.
WATCH THE VIDEO:
Carlos Medina. De lo Material a lo Esencial -From Material to Essential- by ArtePorvenir
COLLECTIONS - International -
– Alcadia de Valdivia, Chili.
– Casa Blanca, Washington DC, USA
– Centre d´Art Contemporain Frank Popper, Marcigny, France.
– Cisneros Fontanals Foundation (CIFO), Miami, USA.
– Civic Hospital of Konstanjevica, Slovenia.
– Das Kleine Museum Weißenstadt, Bavière, Allemagne.
– Fundación Villacero. Monterrey, Mexique.
– Hotel Villa St. Tropez, St. Tropez, France.
– Istituto Professionale di Marmo, Carrara, Italy.
– Instituto Zacatecano de Cultura, Zacatecas, Mexico.
– Ministère de Culture, Bruseeles, Belgium.
– Ministero degli Affari Esteri, Roma, Italy.
– Museo a Cielo Abierto de Culiacán, Mexico.
– Museo a Cielo Abierto, Chetumal, Mexico.
– Museo de Arte Contemporaneo de Yucatán, Mérida, Mexico.
– Museo de Bellas Artes, Santiago de Chile, Chili.
– Museum of Latin American Art (MOLAA), Los Angeles, EEUU.
– Museo de Escultura de Resistencia, El Chaco, Argentina.
– Museo de las Artes Universidad de Guadalajara, Mexico.
– Museum of Contemporary Art Keng-Nan, South Korea.
– GBJ- Museum of Modern and Contemporary Art Kostanjevika, Slovenia.
– Museum of Sculpture Forma Viva Konstanjevica, Slovenia.
– Rikjscentrum Frans Masareel, Kásterlee, Belgium.
– Sculptures Park New Art Valley, Yeongwol, South Korea.
– Satoru Sato Art Museum, Tome, Japon.
– Universidad de Colima, Mexico.
– Universidad de Guadalajara, Mexico.
COLLECTIONS - Venezuela -
– Alcaldia Iribarren, Barquisimeto.
– Ateneo de Valencia.
– Caracas City, Francisco Fajardo Highway.
– Centro Comercial Capital Plaza, Barquisimeto.
– Centro Comercial Metrópolis.
– Centro Javier Barquisimeto.
– Consejo Nacional de la Cultura (CONAC), Caracas.
– Fondo para el Desarrollo del Estado Nueva Esparta, Porlamar.
– Fundación BADAN Lara, Barquisimeto.
– Fundación para las Artes (FUNDARTE), Caracas.
– Gabinete del Dibujo y la Estampa de Valencia.
– Galeria de Arte Nacional, Caracas.
– Galería de Arte Municipal Girardot, Maracay.
– Galerie Municipal de Arte Moderno de Puerto La Cruz.
– Gobernación del Estado BolÍvar, Ciudad Bolívar.
– Paseo de Esculturas, Porlamar.
– Hotel Altamira Suites, Caracas.
– Instituto Nacional de Cultura y Bellas Artes (INCIBA), Caracas.
– Instituto Puerto Autónomo de Puerto Cabello (IPAPC).
– Museo Alejandro Otero, Caracas.
– Museo de Arte Contemporaneo de Caracas.
– Museo de Arte Contemporaneo del Zulia, Maracaibo.
– Museo de Arte Contemporaneo Francisco Narváez, Porlamar
– Museo de Arte Contemporaneo de Maracay Mario Abreu, Maracay
– Museo de Bellas Artes de Caracas.
– Palacio de la Justicia, Barquisimeto.
– Petróleos de Venezuela (PDVSA), La Estancia, Caracas.
– Procter & Gamble de Venezuela, Valencia.
– Siderúrgica del Orinoco (SIDOR), Ciudad Bolívar
– Universidad de Carabobo, Valencia.
EXIBITIONS -selection-
2023 Neutrinos. Galerie Denis René. Paris, France.
2022 Movement Tribute to Denise René. Bonisson Art Center, Rognes, France.
2021 Beyond the visible. Ascaso Gallery. Miami, USA.
2020 Tensions -Fragment immersif- Galerie Denise René, Paris, France.
2018 Del concepto a la forma. Centro de las Artes de Guanajuato, Mexico.
Géométries de lumière. Galerie Wagner. Le Touquet-Paris-Plage. France.
2017 La nature en la sculpture. Villa Datris. Foundation. Isle-sur-la-Sorge, France.
Fragments Essentiels, Espace Meyer Zafra, Paris, France.
40 years of Geometry, Olivar Cultural Center, Lima, Peru.
2016 Imperceptible, Ascaso Art Gallery, Caracas, Venezuela.
Essential, Ascaso Gallery, Miami, USA.
2015 La plástica del siglo XXI, Museum of Art Guadalajara University Collection, Guadalajara Mexico.
2014 Esencial, Museum of Contemporary Art, Yucatán (MACAY), Mérida, Mexico.
2013 Esencial, Museum of Contemporary Art (MACZUL), Maracaibo, Venezuela.
2012 Esencial, Museum of Art Guadalajara University (MUSA), Guadalajara, Mexico.
2011 White Surfaces, Art Nouveau Gallery, Miami, USA.
2009 La Estrategia de la Forma, Museum of Contemporary Art of Monterrey (MARCO), Monterrey, Mexico.
2008/Papeles. y aceros, traveling exhibition that starts at the Museum of Contemporary Art, Caracas,
2006 through five (5) National Museums: Maracaibo, Mérida, Coro, Yaracuy, Puerto La Cruz, Venezuela
MOLAA Award, Museum of Latino American Art (MOLAA), Los Angeles, USA.
Small format sculptures Museum of Contemporary Art Yeong Wol, South Korea.
2007 Escultura Latinoamericana en Acero, Museum of Modern Art, Cartagena, Colombia.
2005 Arte Venezolano del Siglo XXI, Fine Arts Museum, Caracas, Venezuela.
2003 Carlos Medina y su obra, Museum of Maya Culture, Chetumal, Mexico.
2002 Abstracción y Geometría en la Colección, Museum of Contemporary Art of Caracas, Venezuela.
1998 Exposición Internacional de Escultura, Mala Espina Palace, Zacatecas, Mexico..
1996 Esculturas Pequeño Formato, City Hall, Alajuela, Costa Rica.
1996 Esculturas Pequeño Formato, City Hall, Valdivia, Chili.
1990 Obra en Madera, Museum of Contemporary Art, Caracas, Venezuela.
1987 Mármoles. Museum of Modern Art Jesús Soto, Ciudad Bolívar, Venezuela.
1984 Carlos Medina Esculturas, Fine Arts Museum, Caracas, Venezuela.
Cien Obras de la Colección, Museum of Contemporary Art, Caracas, Venezuela.
1981 Sculptures Ministry of Culture of Belgium, traveling exhibition through national museums, Belgium.
1980 Sculptures in the Royal Villa, Ostende, Belgium.
Sculpture in marble: Apple Gallery, Waregen / De Zwarte Panter Gallery, Amberes /
Maeyaert Gallery, Ostende. Belgium
1979 Marbles et Granites, Van Vlaenderens Gallery & Luka Gallery, Belgium.
1975 Abstracciones geométricas espaciales, Museum of Contemporary Art, Caracas, Venezuela.
SYMPOSIA & BIENNIALS & EVENTS -selection-
2023 La Naturaleza Humana y su Lugar en el Universo. Madrid Luxury District, Madrid, Spain.
2022 Special Projects. Pinta Miami, USA.
2018 Carré Latin III. Palais Royal. París. France.
2013 Aflorarte, Corazón Verde Foundation. Bogota, Colombia.
2009 XI Cairo Biennial, Cairo, Egypt.
2008 I Biennial of Sculpture, Museum of Arts, Guadalajara University, Mexico.
XII Biennial TAGA, Museun of Modern Art. Guatemala, City, Guatemala.
2007 I Sculpture Symposium Margarita, Porlamar, Venezuela.
2006 III Granite International Sculpture Symposium, Yeong Wol, South Korea
2006 MOLAA Award, Museum of Latin American Art, Los Angeles, USA.
2003 II International Steel Sculpture Symposium, Chetumal, Mexico.
2002 I Andean Sculpture Biennial, Museun of Modern Art, Cuenca, Ecuador.
1998 I International Stone Sculpture Symposium, Zacatecas, Mexico.
1996 I International Wood Sculpture Symposium Alajuela, Costa Rica.
1992 I Iberoamerican Sculpture Simposium, Santiago, Chili.
1994 II International Triennial of sculptors, Chaco, Argentina.
1987 I Art Guiana Biennial, Museum of Modern Art Jesus Soto, Ciudad Bolivar, Venezuela.
1983 Biennial of Visual Arts Museum of Contemporary Art, Caracas,Venezuela.
1982 International Sculpture Symposium, Forma Viva, Kostanjevika, Slovenia.
1981 Salon des Indépendants, Gran Palais, Paris, France.
1981 V International Biennial Sculpture, Museum of Fine Arts, Budapest, Hungary.
1981 International Sculpture Symposium Lindabrunn, Austria.
1980 International Sculpture Symposium, Ostende, Belgium.
1978 International Biennial of Young Artists, Viareggio, Italy.
1978 International Sculpture Exhibition, Palazzo Comune, Carrara, Italy.
AWARDS -selection-
2019 Artist Best International Proyection. International Association of Art Critics (AICA).
2017 Best book of the year Medina. De lo material a lo esencial. AICA Venezuela.
2014 Sculpture Award Venezuelan Association of Artists, Caracas. Venezuela.
2012 Tittle of Guest of Honor and the Keys of the City in Resistencia, Argentina.
2008 Mention of Honor, I Biennial of Sculpture, Guadalajara, Mexico.
2003 Special Mention, Salon Exxon Móvil, National Art Gallery, Caracas.
2002 Ministry of Education and Culture Prize, I Andean Biennial of Sculpture, Museum of Modern Art in Cuenca, Ecuador.
1993 Great Prize Salon Arturo Michelena Award, Athenaeum of Valencia, Venezuela (1986,1987,1992, obtains the Sculptor Prize).
Sculptors Award I American Sculpture Contest. Resistencia, Argentina.
1992 Sculpture Prize, XVII National Salon of Art Aragua, Maracay, Venezuela (and 2002).
1991 First Prize. National Biennial of Sculpture, Museum of Contemporary Art Francisco Narváez, Porlamar, Venezuela.
1986 First Prize. I Biennial of Guiana Art Prize, Museum of Modern Art Jesus Soto, Ciudad Bolivar, Venezuela.
1984 Best young artist.InternationaL Association of Art Critics Award, AICA.
1981 The Unique Award of Acquisition, National Council for Culture, Caracas, Venezuela.
1978 City of Carrara Prize, Italy Painting Prize of the I International Biennial of Young Artists, Viarregio, Italy.
1976 The Sculpture Prize at the II Salon of Art, Porlamar, Venezuela.
1975 National Salon of Young Artists of the National Institute of Culture and Fine Arts, Caracas, Venezuela
BOLIVAR, 1982. Wood
Museum of Modern and Contemporary Art-GBJ
Collection.Kostanjevika, Slovenia.
COLUMNA VERDE 1982. Green marble of Cerdena.
Collection Museum Alejandro Otero, Caracas, Venezuela
ESTUDIO PARA CUADRADO, 1989. Wood
White House Collection, Washington, USA
ABSTRACCIÓN GEOMÉTRICA ESPACIAL IV, 1974. Iron
Museum of Comtemporary Art of Caracas Collection.
Caracas, Venezuela.
FRAGMENT IMMERSIF 1999 - 2020. Aluminum.
Galerie Denise René. Paris, France.
NEUTRINOS (detail), 2012. Acrilyc.
Museum of Art Guadalajara University (MUSA), Guadalajara, Mexico.
SPHÈRES DE NEUTRINOS, 2018 Acrilyc.
Palais Royal. Paris, France
