Rodrigo Cifuentes

Rodrigo Cifuentes was born in Jalisco, Mexico in 1980 to Spanish descendents who immigrated during the 1930s. Growing up in a violent landscape shaped his pictorial temper. He further developed this at the National School of Painting, Sculpture and Graphics; La Esmeralda (ENPEG) in Mexico City. 

Cifuentes’ work first permeated the public arena in 2001 when he was selected for sponsorship at the Mexican Art Festival Expresarte, today his works are also part of the Secretaria de Hacienda y Crédito Público Museum Collection.

As an emerging Mexican artist, Cifuentes analyzes the dichotomy of the Latin American myth and the American dream in his society. The deafening presence of an expressionist scream speaks to that social discontent, approaching such subjects as the unreachability of the American dream, loss of innocence, and mass consumption.

Rodrigo Cifuentes currently lives and works in Mexico City.

In his own words: “My main concern when creating artwork is to always surprise the observer, using everything possible within my grasp, whether it is morbid, serene, humorous or personal. No matter the subject I choose, my main objective is to provide the audience with an unforgettable experience. Fundamentally, the proposed work integrates the possible with the impossible, as well as technique and spirit, particularly developed in a realistic style that plays an important role by  introducing the observer into the game, into the trap the painter has set to draw his attention.”

"Also linked to the subject is the chromatic gamma which will be used in each piece; done, and to be done, making use of the short palette, which enhances the painter’s intentions, impregnating the artwork with a strong and enigmatic atmosphere. It is not this text’s intention to praise my virtues, whatever they are, since I consider myself a clown of the trade, someone who plays with sensations and reactions.

I am merely a visceral painter, always governed and advised by order and reason".

EDUCATION

2002 -2004 Private Instruction

2001- 2004 Painting, Drawing, Engraving and Photography, La Esmeralda National School of Painting (ENPEG)

1999 - 2001 Painting and Drawing, Jóse Salazar’s Art Academy

SELECTED EXHIBITIONS

2012 Veneris XIII, A Group Drawing Show, Skotia Gallery, Los Angeles, CA
         Affordable Art Fair, Los Angeles, CA, United States

2011 Opening Group Exhibition for Skotia Gallery, Skotia Gallery, Los Angeles, CA, United States

2010 Insolitus, Skotia Gallery, Santa Fe, NM, United States

2008 20 x 20, Pequeño formato, Ciudad Juarez Museum

2007 RED/ROJO, Galerìa Omar Alonso, Puerto Vallarta , Mexico

2006 Arrivals and Departures, 3 PUNTS Gallery, Barcelona, Spain

2006 From Mexico to Tierra del Fuego, Mason & Murer Fine Art

2001 TRIÁNGULOS ZAPATISTAS, Adolfo López Mateos Museum

2000 Restaur-Arte, El Chisme Café

SELECTED PUBLICATIONS

2009 Artes de México  March 2009 Issue, “Elogio de la mosca en el Arte”

2009 “Habla de lo que sabes”, Front Cover, Author Geney Beltrán Félix, published by Editorial “Jus”.

2009 Interview for the art tv show “Harto-Arte”Once tv Channel.

2009 Featured Artist “Myartspace.com” April 2009.

2006 Art direction and photography assitant on the shortfilm “ZERO” IRM  (Russian Mexican Film Institute).

2005 Invited to TV demente for interview with Gabriel Rubio, Directo of the shortfilm “Frecuencies”.

COLLECTIONS

SHCP Museum Collection. (Secretaría de Hacienda y Credito Público Museum).

Numerous Private collections in Italy, Spain, Mexico and USA

AWARDS

2001  Expresarte, Mexican Art Festival (Chosen for sponsorship)