Rafael Barrios

“If gravity was not on our minds, the world would work better.”

Rafael Barrios (B. 1947) was born in Baton Rouge, Louisiana to Venezuelan parents. From an early age, Barrios was drawn to art and his talent led him to study at the various prestigious academies including the Museo de Bellas Artes in Caracas, Venezuela, Asbury College in Ottawa, Canada, Ontario College of Art, and New York University. (Read more).

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He has been recognized as one of the most revolutionary contemporary Latin American artists and father of Virtualism, a movement in which “volume is virtually modified in form, depending on distance, the shifting position of the observer, and the changes in light throughout the day.” His work has often been characterized as a play with gravity and perception, manipulating forms in a way that destroy visual logic. 

In the span of his four-decade career, Barrios has participated in more than 100 exhibitions, including solo and collective shows. Additionally, his work has been included in the most important art centers of the United States, Europe, Latin America, and the Middle East. Large esteemed collections like Sofia Imber Contemporary Art Museum in Caracas, Venezuela; Procter & Gamble International Headquarters in Cincinnati, Ohio; Coca-Cola headquarters in New York amongst others, feature the works of Barrios.

His accomplishments include an exhibition of monumental sculptures on Park Avenue in New York City and a public art exhibition in Saint-Tropez, France. His talent has led him to take on prestigious roles such as the Art Director for the UNESCO, set designer for fashion photographer Chris Von Wangehnheim, Vogue, and Esquire, as well as scenographer for the renowned French fashion designer Hervé Leger in 1997.

SELECTED EXHIBITIONS

RAFAEL BARRIOS | Biography

Baton Rouge, USA 1947
 
Education
1982  
Master Degree, Art and Existential Philosophy, New York University, USA
 
1973  
Bachelor Degree in Art, Communication and Design, Ontario College of Art, Toronto, Canada
 
1970  
College Degree, Art Mention, Ashbury College, Otawa, Canada
 
1963  
Drawing and Art classes, Museo de Bellas Artes, Caracas, Venezuela
 
Art Education Career
1992  
Seminar Fuentes y Obstrucciones al Arte, Instituto de Estudios Avanzados (IDEA), Universidad Simón Bolívar, Caracas, Venezuela
 
1982  
Conference The thin line between Art and Design, New York University, USA
 
1974-77
Advertising and 3D Design, Instituto de Diseño Newmann, Caracas, Venezuela
 
1973
Art Director for the project The Toronto Idea, Toronto Architects Association, Canada
 
1972
Art Director for UNESCO
 
Solo Exhibitions
2017
Rafael Barrios Abyssal. Galerie Rauchfeld Paris, France
Personnal Exhibition – Hôtel Les Cures Marines – Trouville-sur-Mer – France. Galerie
Rauchfeld Paris, France.
 
2016
Volumenes Virtuales. Proyecto Contemporaneo. Madrid Spain.
LA Art Show, Galerie Rauchfeld (Paris)
Rafael Barrios Virtual Juggle, Art Nouveau Gallery, Miami, USA
 
2014
Rafael Barrios Virtual Levitations, Bel Air Fine Art Gallery, Saint-Tropez, France
 
2013 
Insondable, Galerie Rauchfeld, Paris, France
Unfathomable, Art Sawa, Dubai, United Arab Emirates
 
2012 
Rafael Barrios on Park Avenue, Art Nouveau Gallery, New York, USA
Unfathomable, Art Nouveau Gallery, Miami, USA
 
2011 
Galerie Deprez-Bellorget, Paris, France
 
2008  
Laboratorio, La Cuadra Creativa Gallery, Caracas, Venezuela
 
2004  
Galerie Lavignes Bastilles, Paris, France
 
1994  
Ralleigh Gallery, Boca Raton, Florida, USA
 
1993  
 
Sala de Arte del Sur, Puerto Ordaz, Venezuela
 
1987  
Museo de Arte Contemporaneo Sofi Imber, Caracas, Venezuela
Galería Sotavento, Caracas, Venezuela
 
1983  
Bloomingdales, Bergoff Goodman, Lord & Taylor, Sacks Fifth Avenue, New York, USA
 
1982  
Novo Arts Gallery, New York, USA
 
1981  
Art et Industrie Gallery, New York, USA
 
1980  
Slash 80, Cayman Gallery, New York, USA
1978  
Centro de Bellas Artes, Maracaibo, Venezuela
 
Selected Group Exhibitions
2017
Museo de Bellas Artes, Magda Arria. Lima Peru.
Zona Maco, Galeria RGR+ART (Venezuela), Mexico DF
Art Marbella. Proyecto Contemporaneo. Marbella Spain.
Art Madrid. Proyecto Contemporaneo. Madrid Spain.
Dialogos Contemporaneos. Proyecto Contemporaneo. Madrid Spain.
FNB Joburg Art Fair. Contemporary African Art. Pascal Janssens Galerie, Ghent, Belgium.
Venice Biennale. Galerie Bel Air Fine Art. Venice, San Marco.
ICFF. Tranter-Sinni Gallery. Miami Florida.
Luxury Living. Miami Florida.
Miso Chic. Miami Symphony Orchestra. Adrienne Arsht Center. Miami Florida.
“Illusions artistiques” – Centre culturel de la ville de Guyancourt – France. Galerie Rauchfeld Paris, France.
Art Miami. Galeria RGR+ART (Venezuela), Mexico DF
Rolex Boutique Luxury Swiss. Miami Florida.
Luxury Living. Miami Florida.
 
2016
Zona Maco, Galeria RGR+ART (Venezuela), Mexico DF
LA Art Show, Galerie Rauchfeld (Paris)
Lille Art Fair, Galerie Rauchfeld (Paris)
Context New York, Galerie Rauchfeld (Paris)
Art Wynwood, Art Nouveau Gallery Miami, USA, Miami
Pinta 2016, Art Nouveau Gallery Miami, USA, Miami
 
2015
Art Paris, Pascal Janssens Galerie, Ghent, Belgium
Art Miami New York, Art Nouveau Gallery Miami, USA, Miami
Art London, Pascal Janssens Galerie, Ghent, Belgium
Seattle Art Fair , Art Nouveau Gallery Miami, USA, Miami
Art Aspen, m+v ART (Miami), Aspen, USA
Art Houston, Art Nouveau Gallery Miami, USA, Miami
Art Palm Beach, Galerie Rauchfeld (Paris) Miami, USA
Art Miami, Art Nouveau Gallery Miami, USA, Miami
Art Miami, Galerie Bernd Lausberg (Düsseldorf), Miami
Zona Maco, Galeria RGR+ART (Venezuela), Mexico DF
Lille Art Fair, Galerie Rauchfeld (Paris)
 
2014  
Art Palm Beach, Galerie Rauchfeld (Paris) Miami, USA
Mia Sea Fair, Galerie Rauchfeld (Paris) Miami, USA
Zona Maco, Galeria RGR+ART (Venezuela), Mexico DF
Art Wynwood, Art Nouveau Gallery, Miami, USA
Art Wynwood, Galerie Bernd Lausberg (Düsseldorf), Miami, USA
Art Aspen, m+v ART (Miami), Aspen, USA   
      
2013  
Art Wynwood, Art Nouveau Gallery, Miami, USA
ArteAmerica, Art Nouveau Gallery, Miami, USA
Art Paris, Pascal Janssens Galerie (Ghent), Paris, France
Pinta London, LGM Arte Internacional (Bogota), London, UK
Art Southamptons, Art Nouveau Gallery (Miami), Southampton, USA
Art Ghent, Pascal Janssens Galerie, Ghent, Belgium
Feria Iberoamericana de Caracas, Caracas, Venezuela
Art Aspen, m+v ART (Miami), Aspen, USA
Houston Fine Art Fair, Art Nouveau (Miami), Houston, USA
Korean International Art Fair, LGM Arte Internacional (Bogota), Seoul, Korea
Pinta New York, Art Nouveau (Miami), New York, USA
Art Miami, Art Nouveau, Miami, USA
Abu Dhabi Art, Art Sawa, Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates
 
2012  
Art Wynwood, Art Nouveau Gallery, Miami, USA
The Armory Show, Art Nouveau Gallery (Miami), New York, USA
ArteAmerica, Art Nouveau Gallery, Miami, USA
Art Paris, Pascal Janssens Galerie (Ghent), Paris, France
Pinta London, Art Nouveau Gallery (Miami), London, UK
Art Southamptons, Art Nouveau Gallery (Miami), Southampton, USA
Art Houston, Art Nouveau Gallery (Miami), Houston, USA
Art Ghent, Pascal Janssens Galerie, Ghent, Belgium
Pinta New York, Art Nouveau Gallery (Miami), New York, USA
Art Miami, Art Nouveau Gallery, Miami, USA
Art Toronto, Lausberg Contemporary, Toronto, Canada
Feria Iberoamericana de Caracas, Caracas, Venezuela
Art Bruxelles, Pascal Janssens Galerie (Ghent), Brussels, Belgium
Art Cologne, Lausberg Contemporary (Dusseldorf), Cologne, Germany
25th Anniversary Exhibition, Art Nouveau Gallery, Maracaibo, Venezuela
Art Shanghai, LGM Arte Internacional (Bogota), Shanghai, China
Korea International Art Fair, LGM Arte Internacional (Bogota), Seoul, Korea
Perspectivas del are latinoamericano 1950-2012, Beijing Art Museum of Imperial City, Beijing, China
 
2011 
MIA Art Fair – Art Nouveau Gallery, Miami, USA
ArteAmérica – Art Nouveau Gallery, Miami, USA
Pinta Art Fair – LGM Gallery (Bogota), London, UK
Pinta Art Fair, Art Nouveau Gallery (Miami) New York, USA
Houston Art Fair, Art Nouveau Gallery (Miami), Houston, USA
Art Miami, Lausberg Contemporary (Toronto), Miami, USA
Art Toronto, Lausberg Contemporary, Toronto, Canada
Art Toronto, Rukaj Gallery, Toronto, Canada
Art Cologne, Lausberg Contemporary (Dusseldorf), Cologne, Germany
Art Bruxelles, Pascal Janssens Galerie, (Ghent) Brussels, Belgium
Feria Iberoamericana de Arte, Caracas, Venezuela
 
2010
“Beyong Painting”, Lausberg Contemporary, Toronto, Canada
“A Collective Sum”, Ideobox Artspace, Miami, USA
“Espacio Otro”/ Alternate Space, Galería Cayón, Madrid, Spain
“Geometric Abstraction & Kinetic Art”, Pascal Janssens Galerie, Ghent, Belgium
“Relief & Sculpture”, Art Nouveay Gallery, Miami, USA           
“Pequeña Escala”/ Small Scale, Galería la Cuadra. Caracas, Venezuela
Arte América, Gabriela Benaim Gallery (Caracas), Miami, USA
Art Chicago, Lausberg Contemporary (Toronto), Chicago, USA
Art Chicago, Rukaj Gallery (Toronto), Chicago, USA
Art Toronto, Rukaj Gallery, Toronto, Canada
Art Miami, Lausberg Contemporary (Toronto), Miami, USA
Art Miami, Art Nouveau Gallery, Miami, USA
ArtBo, Bogota, Colombia
 
2009  
Art Miami, represented by Dotfiftyone Gallery, Miami, USA
Feria Iberoamericana de Arte, Cometa Gallery, Caracas, Venezuela
ArtBo, Bogota, Colombia           
Galerie Lavigne Bastilles, Paris, France
 
2008  
Feria Iberoamericana de Arte, Caracas, Venezuela
Galerie Deprez-Bellorget, Paris, France
Galerie Lavignes Bastille, Paris, France
Chicago Art Fair, USA
 
2007  
Expo Capuy Homenaje al Cuadrado, Caracas, Venezuela
Expo Obra Monumental, La Cuadra Creativa Gallery, Caracas, Venezuela
Arte Bogota, Graphis CB2 Gallery, Bogota, Colombia
Galerie Lavignes Bastille, Paris, France
Galerie Deprez-Bellorget, Paris, France
Museum Shanghai Sculpture Space, China
Feria Iberoamericana de Arte, Caracas, Venezuela
Art Nouveau Gallery, Maracaibo, Venezuela
Alternative Space Exhibition, Chicago, USA
 
2006  
II Geometric Art Exhibition, Espacio de Artes Yumares, Caracas, Venezuela
Art Miami, Miami, USA
Arte Americas, Miami, USA
Galerie Deprez-Bellorget, Paris, France
Galerie Lavignes Bastille, Paris, France
Art Nouveau Gallery, Maracaibo, Venezuela
 
2005  
Art Miami, Miami, USA
Arte Americas, Miami, USA
Galerie Deprez-Bellorget, Paris, France
Galerie Lavigne Bastilles, Paris, France
Toronto International Art Fair, Canada
 
2004  
Espacio Cultural Capuy, Caracas, Venezuela
Art + Gallery, Miami, USA
Feria Iberoamericana de Arte, Caracas, Venezuela
Art Nouveau Gallery, Maracaibo, Venezuela
Galeire D´arte Conteporain et Moderne, Paris, France
Galerie Deprez – Bellorget, Paris, France
Arte America, Miami, USA
 
2002  
Art Miami, Felipe Grimberg, USA
Palm Beach Art Fair, Felipe Grimberg, USA
30×30 Exhibition, Grupo Li Gallery, Caracas, Venezuela
Toronto International Art Fair, Toronto, Canada
Nikola Rukaj Gallery, Toronto, Canada
 
2001  
Feria Iberoamericana de Arte, represented by Hector Iguini, Caracas, Venezuela
Toronto International Art Fair, represented by Moros Gallery, Caracas, Venezuela
Guest artist, IV Bienal Barro de América, Centro de Arte Lía Bermúdez,
Maracaibo, Venezuela
 
2000
Senderos Escultóricos, Universidad Metropolitana, Caracas, Venezuela
Moros Gallery, Maracaibo, Venezuela
Arte Tres Gallery, Caracas, Venezuela
Ocre Gallery, Caracas, Venezuela
Díaz Mancini Gallery, Caracas, Venezuela
Dimaca Gallery, Caracas, Venezuela
 
1999  
Dimaca Gallery, Caracas, Venezuela
La Cuadra Creativa Gallery, Caracas, Venezuela
Santa Fé Gallery, Caracas, Venezuela
Grupo Li Gallery, Caracas, Venezuela
Moros Gallery, Maracaibo, Venezuela
Graphics CB2 Gallery, Caracas, Venezuela
 
1998  
International exhibition Three decades of Venezuelan Sculptures, Middle East tour
 
1996  
Bienal de Artes Visuales Mercosur, Porto Alegre, Brazil
 
1995  
Guest artist, VII Bienal de Escultura,
Museo de Arte Contemporáneo Francisco Narváez, Isla de Margarita, Venezuela
Feria Iberoamericana de Arte, represented by Grupo Li Gallery, Caracas, Venezuela
 
1994  
II Bienal Barro de América, Sofía Imber Contemporary Art Museum, Caracas, Venezuela
Art Miami, Miami, Florida,USA
 
1991  
I Feria Iberoamericana de Arte, Graphics CB2 Gallery, Caracas,Venezuela
 
1990  
Panorama de las Artes Visuales en Venezuela, Galería de Arte Nacional, Caracas, Venezuela
 
1989  
Ernst Alexander Gallery, Washington, USA
 
1988
Casa Bonita, Museo de Arte Contemporaneo Sofia Imber, Caracas, Venezuela
 
1987  
La Conquista del Espacio, Espacio Alterno K18, VIII Documenta, Kassel, Germany
 
1984  
I Bienal de Escultura, Francisco Narváez Contemporary Art Museum, Isla de Margarita, Venezuela
Nuevas Tendencias del Mueble, Art et Industrie Gallery, New York, USA
 
1983  
Salón Nacional de Jóvenes Artistas, Museo de Arte Contemporaneo Sofia Imber, Caracas, Venezuela
Casa Guipuzcoana, La Guaria, Venezuela
 
1982  
I Salón Nacional de Escultura, Museo de Arte de Barquisimeto, Barquisimento, Venezuela
II Bienal de Artes Visuales, Museo de Arte Contemporaneo Sofia Imber, Caracas, Venezuela
 
1981  
Evaluation of the last decade of contemporary art, Sorrento, Italia
Expo Art, Bari, Italia
 
1979  
 
Art et Industrie Gallery, New York, USA
 
1974  
 
Ontario College of Art, Canada
 
1973  
Art Gallery of Ontario, Canada
Ontario College of Art, Canada
 
1972  
Ontario College of Art, Canada
11th Annual Art Show, Toronto, Canada
 
1971              
Arts and letters Club, Toronto, Canada
 
Private Collections
Don Juan Carlos de Borbón, King of Spain
Gloria Von Untaxis, Princess of Germany
Movilnet, Caracas, Venezuela
World Bank, Caracas, Venezuela
Jesús Soto
Fundación Cultural Chacao, Caracas, Venezuela
Citgo, Thompson Brothers, Houston, Texas, USA
Electricidad de Caracas, Venezuela
Banco Mercantil, Caracas, Venezuela
Art et Industrie Gallery, New York, USA
Coca-Cola International, New York, EEUU
Gustavo and Patricia Cisneros
Miguel Haussman
Eduardo Bolber
Carlos and Mercedes Zuloaga
Juan Carlos Escotet
Procter & Gamble, Caracas, Venezuela
Kazumi Yoshida
Skuli Mogensen, WOWAir, Reykjavik, Iceland
Dimensional Fund Advisors, Austin, Texas
Robert and Soledad Hurst, Aspen, Colorado
Hidalgo Socorro
Braulio Perez
 
Permanent Collections
Art Gallery of Ontario, Canada
Carmenn Lamanna Foundation, Toronto, Canada
Museo de Esculturas al aire libre, Alcalá de Henares, España
Galería de Arte Nacional, Caracas, Venezuela
Museo de Arte Contemporaneo Sofia Imber, Caracas, Venezuela
 
Monumental Sculptures
2014  
Nimbus Levitante, Naples Wine Festival, Naples, USA
 
2009  
Tapis, Midtown Miami, USA
Triphasique, Midtown Miami, USA
 
2006  
Rising Horizons, Sunny Isles, Miami, USA
 
2003  
Vertical Dislocado, Universidad de los Andes, Merida, Venezuela
Levitation, Murano Grande Building by Philippe Starck, Miami Beach, USA
 
1997  
Tercer Horizonte II, Carupano, Venezuela
 
1994  
Vertical dislocado en tres tiempos, Miranda State Goverment, Venezuela
 
1993  
Vertical dislocado, Kristine Building, Caracas, Venezuela
 
1992  
Tercer Horizonte, La Fontanilla Park, Palos de la Frontera, Spain
Levitación apocalíptica proyectada, Universidad Simón Bolívar, Caracas, Venezuela
 
1991              
Apocalipsis levita, Banco Provincial Presidency, Caracas, Venezuela
 
1990  
Trazos del nimbo, Seguros Venezuela Building, Caracas, Venezuela
 
1988  
Horizontes ascendentes, CorpBanca Building, Caracas, Venezuela
 
1985  
 
Levitación I, Plaza Sucre Metro Station, Caracas, Venezuela
 
1983  
 
Obelisco levitante, Interalúmina, Puerto Ordaz, Venezuela
 
1980  
Apocalipsis levitante, Sofía Imber Contemporary Art Museum, Caracas, Venezuela
 
Awards
1992  
Condecoración de la Excelentisima Diputado Provincial de la Frontera granted by Spain for his sculpture “Tercer Horizonte” in commemoration of the 500 years of the discovery of the Americas
 
1982  
CANTV I Salón Nacional de Escultura, Museo de Arte de Barquisimeto, Venezuela
II Bienal de Artes Visuales, Museo de Arte Contemporaneo Sofia Imber, Caracas, Venezuela
 
1981              
Salón de Jóvenes Artistas, Sofía Imber Contemporary Art Museum, Caracas, Venezuela
 
1980  
Bolsa de Trabajo de la Gobernación del Distrito Federal, Museo de Arte Contemporaneo Sofia Imber, Caracas, Venezuela
 
1963  
Nacional de Pintura Juvenil, Museo de Bellas Artes, Caracas, Venezuela