Street artwork in CAF Gallery

Urban art will take over the CAF Gallery starting today with an exhibit entitled “Urban Aesthetics,” which features three outstanding young Venezuelans that transformed the walls of the gallery with various graphic pieces made with spray paint and other forms of artistic expression. 

Jesus Briceño Reyes, Allan Costa (SAZ ONER) and Fabián Solymar (DAGOR) accepted the challenge proposed by CAF-development bank of Latin America- to display their peculiar and particular forms of communication aesthetics (traditionally expressed in public spaces) in CAF premises, and with a wide variety of graphic languages. This was the origin of new exhibit, which seeks to give meaning to the nature of these expressions presented today, with a view to promoting urban dynamics of the countries of the region.

“Our institution has always had a strong connection to culture, including its promotion and dissemination. This time it connects to the changing and challenging realm of urban life, in one of its edgy expressions, i.e. urban art, which furthers the interrelationship between the cities of countries in our field of action,” said Luis Carranza, executive president of CAF.

Furthermore, the curator of the exhibit, Mariela Provenzali, noted: “the purpose of displaying urban art in this gallery is to expose the expressions of three outstanding young Venezuelans who have left a mark on the walls of Caracas and other cities of Venezuela, Ecuador, United States, Mexico and the United Kingdom. In these urban areas, they started their artistic careers with initially spontaneous languages, which they have enriched with studies and creative experiences, rapidly evolving towards their own aesthetics.”

These three artists voice their graphic discourse as a defined trend within urban art, and therefore they have been invited to change their canvas — streets and walls — extracting its essence and displaying it in an art gallery.

The artists

Jesús Briceno-Reyes, born in Caracas in 1986. A graduate from the Armando Reverón University Institute, UNEARTE, in 2010, he earned a master’s degree at the University of the Arts London, Wimbledon College, in 2014 and at Goldsmiths, University of London, with merits in 2015. He has developed cultural, educational, and community development projects in the United Kingdom and Venezuela. He is the founder and creative director of “Haciendo Ciudad,” an NGO that transforms public spaces together with the communities through art. He was selected as young artist in international venues such as the auction of the Museum of Contemporary Art in California in 2008, and as young contemporary artist of the Institute of Contemporary Arts in the United Kingdom, in 2014.

Allan Costa (SAZ ONER), born in Caracas in 1981. He studied Systems Engineering at Universidad Santa María until 2003, and graphic design at Colegio Universitario Monseñor de Talavera, in 2008, his current profession, which he practices along with his creative work. His first exhibit was in 2011, when he participated in numerous group exhibits in galleries in Venezuela and the United States. He was featured in solo exhibitions in 2014 and 2015. In 2018, he earned an honorable mention at Salón Jóvenes con FIA, 21st Edition, at the Braulio Salazar University Gallery in Valencia, Venezuela. His work is inspired initially by his interest in the evolution of graffiti art and its relationship with graphic design, which reinforces his commitment to urban art, displaying his art in urban spaces in Caracas and Maracay, many of which have disappeared.

Fabian Solymar (DAGOR), born in Caracas in 1988. He studied Computer Science at the Nueva Esparta University, to then pursue his artistic training, starting with graffiti art pieces since the age of 12. Graphic Design, Serigraphy and Photography workshops have added to his creative vitality. He is particularly interested in calligraphy and color. His first exhibits were in 2013. He has actively participated in festivals in Wynwood, Art Basel in Florida, USA, and in collective exhibits in Venezuela, Ecuador and England. Apart from his individual exhibits in galleries and museums in Venezuela, has painted several murals in Caracas, Barinas, Miami, Brooklyn, Quito and recently in Mexico City. He won second prize in the fall of 2016 and the first prizes in summer festivals in Wynwood, Miami, 2016 and 2017.

The “Urban aesthetics” exhibit can be viewed in the CAF Gallery, located on the ground floor of the CAF Tower in Altamira, Caracas, from Monday to Friday, from 10:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. and Sundays from 11:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. starting on February 7, 2019.