benito rangel de maria exhibit february 2015

BENITO RANGEL DE MARIA

ARTIST STATEMENT“Through the act of mark making, construction and deconstruction with varied media, I am developing a system

of symbols that brand ideas of who we are, who we want to be, and how we want to be perceived. Working pri-

marily on paper, my work explores aspects of identification focusing on the actions and process that we use to de-

fine ourselves and document our surroundings. By creating works that juxtapose our similarities and differences,

I encourage the viewer to see beyond the limitations of the physical.”

BLAZE SERIESInspired by “blazing,” the historic practice of marking routes through the wilderness, the Blaze series utilizes

markings as navigational tools that aid and show direction. Comprised of crosses, circles and bands, these mark-

ings, or “blazes”, encourage further exploration, intersecting boldly in undefined environments that pave new

paths. This series is a natural progression to my Tribe series, which focuses on the marking of the individual.

TRIBE SERIESThrough the act of mark making, construction and deconstruction, Tribe examines the physical qualities of who

we are, who we want to be, and how we want to be perceived. By applying alternating layers of acrylic and wa-

tercolor and working with stickers and tape, initially placed, then painted on, then removed, I create markings

that reveal a new working structure. Layers composed of mixed media, at times with graphite, at times with oil,

wax or acrylics, invite viewers into a world constructed with intention to reveal a system of symbols that brand

and reflect our desire to distinguish ourselves individually, yet be part of a larger group.

MICROCOSM SERIESThe Microcosm Series reflects the many layers that make up our society. These layers include geographical and

psychological qualities that are found all around us. Dependent on an urban structure of pipes, chain link fences

and sewing needles, these works use the language of infrastructure to support the magical links of light, glass,

and colors of a chandelier. These works use an integration of layered images connected with wax, a substance

that replicates our own transparent and transitory qualities.

BLAZE 196

acrylic, watercolor, graphite, correction tape, india ink on paper

14 X 14 inches (artwork), 18 x 18 (framed), 2014

BLAZE 197



BLAZE 198



BLAZE 199



BLAZE 200


35.75 X 35 inches (artwork), 40 x 40 (framed), 2014

BLAZE 202


36 X 38.75 inches (artwork), 40 x 43 (framed), 2014

BLAZE 203

acrylic, watercolor, graphite, india ink on paper

20 X 30.75 inches (artwork), 22 3/4 x 1/4 (framed), 2014

BLAZE 206


35.25 X 55.5 inches (artwork), 40.25 x 59.75 (framed), 2014

TRIBE 175

acrylic, watercolor, graphite, digital component on paper

35.5 X 72 inches (artwork), 35.5 X 72 inches (framed) 2013

TRIBE 176


35.5 X 72 inches (artwork), 35.5 X 72 inches (framed), 2013

TRIBE 177



TRIBE 180



TRIBE 182



TRIBE 185



MICROCOSM 158

mixed media on paper, mounted on board

40 X 40 x 2 inches (artwork), 48.25 x 48.25 x 2.5 inches (framed), 2008

MICROCOSM 159



MICROCOSM 161



MICROCOSM 155

wax, watercolor, tape, mixed media on paper

41 X 41 inches (artwork), 49.25 x 49.25 inches (framed), 2008

MICROCOSM 163

wax, paper, tape, mixed media on paper mounted on board

29 X 60 inches (artwork), 2013

BIOGRAPHY

From a young age, Benito Rangel de Maria was set on a path that interweaved disparate cultural and geographical

boundaries. While he was born in Michoacan, Mexico in 1970, Benito grew up in a Latino neighborhood in Chicago

bordered by pockets of diverse ethnic cultures that ultimately influenced his outlook on the world.

He earned a Bachelor’s Degree in Fine Art from Lake Forest College in Chicago, IL, with a concentration in print-

making with a focus on monotypes. Although he experimented with various media while earning his degree, Benito

always returned to working with paper and ink. During that time, Benito’s work was strongly influenced by the

powerful yet intimate works on paper of American artist Helen Frankenthaler. He also had the opportunity to study

abroad, initially in Paris advancing his fluency in French and knowledge of Art History, followed with an internship

at Sotheby’s in Madrid. After graduation, he was invited to intern at The Peggy Guggenheim Collection in Venice,

Italy. Daily practices of studying the museum’s permanent collection in order to support his various docent duties

surrounded him with an incomparable breath of knowledge and a top-notch community of international colleagues

and institutions. It was here where Benito formed an inspirational connection with the work of Rufino Tamayo and

Joseph Cornell. Tamayo’s Heavenly Bodies presented pre-Columbian imagery with European Modernism within the

unlimited boundaries of the universe. Simultaneously, Benito was juxtaposing Tamayo’s work with that of Joseph

Cornell, whose box constructions housed concepts of travel and voyage. For Benito, Cornell created a complete

universe within the physical limitations of his basement studio.

From his treasured time in Venice, Benito followed a westward call to Lugano, Switzerland. It was there that he joined

the ARCH Foundation where he coordinated conservation and restoration projects including efforts in St. Peters-

burg, Russia and Dubrovnik, Croatia. While the scholars and artifacts of those projects provided another priceless

experience, Benito’s mind was fully engaged in ideas of cross contemporary cultures as he traveled from one border

to another. The notions of physical boundaries highlighted memories of the borders he and his family had crossed

years ago. His desire to further explore these issues artistically brought him back to the United States, landing a new

home in Seattle, Washington. Determined to support his studio practice while keeping a foot in the broader art world,

Benito founded Monarch Contemporary, a fine art gallery and studio that functioned as an outlet for his artistic and

curatorial endeavors. Here his studio practice launched forward with his first solo show at Gallery 110 in Seattle

and group shows from Portland to Miami. Recently, his work was part of juried group exhibitions at the Palm Springs

Art Museum and the Marin Museum of Contemporary Art.

BENITO RANGEL DE MARIA Born in Michoacan, Mexico 1970. Currently lives and works in San Francisco, CA

EDUCATION1994 Bachelor of Arts Degree, Lake Forest College, Lake Forest, IL1994 Studentship at the Peggy Guggenheim Museum, Venice, Italy1995-1998 Conservation/Resoration Program Coordinator at ARCH Foundation, Lugano, Switzerland2009-2012 Director and Curator, Monarch Contemporary, Seattle, WA

AWARDS2014 Fall National Juried Exhibition, Juror Curator of Yerba Buena Center for the Arts, Betti-Sue Hertz, Marin Museum of Contemporary Art, Marin MOCA, Novato, CA2014 Small Works Exhibit, Juried Exhibition, Juror Critic Alan Bamberger, Art Works Downtown Gallery, San Rafael, CA2014 ArtSlant Showcase Winner Round #5 of the 2014 Showcase competition cycle, Mixed Media 2008 My Space, Juried Group Exhibition, Juror Suvan Geer, SCA Project Gallery, Pomona, CA

EXHIBITIONS2014 Inside Out, Juried Exhibition, Verum Ultimum Gallery, Portland, OR 2013 ACE 2013, Palm Springs Art Museum, Palm Springs, CA2013 (re)form, Solo Show, Monarch Contemporary, Palm Springs, CA2012 Refraction, Solo Show, Monarch Contemporary, Palm Springs, CA2010 Constant Motion, Monarch Contemporary, Seattle, WA2008 Microcosm, Solo Show, Monarch Studio, Seattle, WA2008 “And the Winner Is…”, Group Show, Sonnenshein Gallery, Lake Forest, IL2008 Immigration USA, Group Show, NSCC Art Gallery, Seattle, WA2008 Emerging Artists, Group Show, D’Adamo Woltz Gallery, Seattle, WA2007 MECHANICA, Solo Show, Gallery 110, Seattle, FL2007 Group Show, Blackfish Gallery, Portland, OR2007 Cheer, Group Show, Gallery 110, Seattle, WA2007 Interstate 5, Group Show, Portland Art Center, Portland, OR2007 Pulp.2, Group Show, Gallery 110, Seattle, WA2007 Ibero American Art, Ibero American International Gallery, Miami, FL2006 Brighter!, Juried Group Show, Gallery 110, Seattle, WA2006 Pulp, Group Show, Gallery 110, Seattle, WA2003 Fingerhut Gallery of Edina, Group Show, Minneapolis, MN2003 Gallery Artists Group Show, Visual Arts, Minneapolis, MN2002 Fingerhut Gallery of Edina, Group Show, Minneapolis, MN1998 Latin American Art, Sonnenshein Gallery, Lake Forest College, Lake Forest, IL

PUBLICATIONS- PUNTO i COMA, Chicago, IL, Feb 2014 Issue, Interview by Soydeth Avila “TRIBE.”- ACE 2013 Exhibition Catalog, Palm Springs Art Museum, November 2013, Palm Springs, CA- PREVIEW Gallery Guide Magazine, Seattle, Jan/Feb 2010 Issue, Review by Allyn Cantor of “Constant Motion,” p 86.- Ibero American International Magazine, Miami, FL, Fall 2007, Review of “Microcosm” series, p 18.- Ibero American International Magazine, Miami, FL, Spring 2007, Review of current work in Contemporary Art section, p 31.- OneShot 2006, Visual Codec, Seattle, WA. Publication included “AutoMotion” among Top 100 artworks chosen for this juried book.

CONTACT

Zener Schon Contemporary Art23 Sunnyside AvenueMill Valley, CA 94941

[email protected]://www.facebook.com/zenerschon

Tuesday - Saturday 11am-6pm Sunday 12-4pmBy Appointment (415)738-8505

benito rangel de maria exhibit february 2015

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