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Artwork Description

Omar Rodriguez-Graham’s (b. Mexico City, 1978) artistic oeuvre crystallizes at the intersection of the recognizable and the abstract, constituted as an ongoing exploration that is manifest through a meticulous process rooted in the appropriation of historic paintings. Leveraging canonical works as an armature, Rodriguez-Graham digitally transfigures them into unrecognizable abstractions, modulations that culminates in large-format paintings replete with suggestions patchy skies, stark insignias, and vibrant regalia. In emulation of the calculated methodologies characteristic of Renaissance painters, he systematically allocates colors, textures, and techniques to construct each plane, thereby deepening the visual space of his canvases and consequently empowering them with contemporary abstract expressions that resonate with boldness, vitality, and emotion. His aesthetic synthesis engenders a nuanced dialogue with the great painters of history, and concurrently manifests an acute awareness of the relationship between the abstraction of the preceding seventy years and the techniques and movements of the past. Residing in Mexico City, Rodriguez-Graham has exhibited internationally through individual as well as group exhibitions. Notable recent exhibitions include “La Interrogación de la Duda” at Museo de Arte Abstracto Manuel Felguerez (2023), “Ritmo Doble” at Max Estrella in Spain (2023), “La Struttura della Certezza” at Fondazione MACC in Italy (2023), and “Primer Ensayo” at Arróniz Arte Contemporaneo (Mexico, 2022). His work has been included in important museum exhibitions such as “El Hombre al Desnudo” at the National Museum of Art (Mexico, 2014), “Bella y Terca” at the Museo de Arte Moderno (Mexico, 2010), the 15th Rufino Tamayo Painting Biennial at the Tamayo Museum (Mexico, 2012) and most recently “Pop, Punk, Politico” at the Museo de Arte Moderno (Mexico, 2023). The global recognition of Rodriguez-Graham’s work is attested by its inclusion in esteemed collections, including La Colección Jumex (Mexico), Museo de Arte Moderno (Mexico), Thoma Art Foundation (USA), Fondazione MACC (Italy), Progressive Art, (USA) and Fidelity Investments Art Collections (USA). A distinguished alumnus of Drew University with a BA in 2003 and an MFA in Painting from Tyler School of Art in 2005, Rodriguez-Graham’s artistic trajectory has been marked by being awarded of FONCA’s Sistema Nacional de Creadores as well as the Jovenes Creadores fellowships. His notable residencies encompass Fondazionne MACC (2019), The Skowhegan School of Painting and Sculpture (2013) and The Banff Centre (2010). With forthcoming projects, including a one-person exhibition at the Museo de Arte e Historia de Guanajuato (2024) and Sala de Arte Publico Siqueiros in Mexico (2025), Rodriguez- Graham continues to contribute meaningfully to the dynamic discourse within contemporary art, in Mexico and abroad.