New York

Luis Villanueva
Artist Statement

I WANT PEOPLE TO SEE THEMSELVES BY SEEING THE FISH STRUGGLING. IT IS ABOUT POWER AND THE CYCLE OF LIFE AND DEATH. LIKE US, THEY HAVE TO SURVIVE IN AN ENVIROMENT WHERE ANYBODY CAN BE THE UNLUCKY ONE. In my early years in the countryside of Chile where I grew up, I was influenced by politics, spiritualism and country life. I grew up in a small village that was calm and slow paced. People worked the land; they relied on nature and the weather for their livelihood. The political changes in Chile created divisions among people in my village and disrupted this life. In those tumultuous times I met my mentor - a shaman - who helped me see beauty and tranquility even in those times. By interconnecting these influences I have created a parallel world absent of humans and machines, where the animals play human roles. It is the animals themselves that poke fun at human beliefs and actions. I use traditional symbols and familiar animals so that people can have a connection with the picture and so that its main focus is immediate. I want to show that our ideas about human life are often dogmatic, that we are not the central protagonists in nature and that we often do not recognize these things. My pictures are humorous depiction's of social and political issues that cover a range of topics from immigration to organized religion. I use bright colors to energize the paintings, but I depict water and sky to add a sense of space and serenity to my work. Through these things I want to neutralize any negativity in my work. Even though the topic may be challenging, I do not want to convey chaos and ugliness.
Born: 1956 Poblacio, Chile.	*Why Me?* 4'x4' Acrylic on wood © 1999 Villanueva	*We are not Vegetarians* 4'x4' Acrylic on wood © 1999 Villanueva
*West Side Story* 4'x4' Acrylic on wood © 1999 Villanueva	Exhibitions: 1999 Gallerie Chiz, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, Works on Paper 1999 GFAC Gallery, Flint Michigan, Two Men Exhibition, Acrylics and Works on Paper 1998 University Michigan-Flint Gallery Flint, Michigan, Works on Paper 1998 Gallerie Chiz Pittsburg, Pannsylvania, Works on Paper 1998 Buckham Gallery Flint, Michigan, Ink on Paper 1997 GFAC Gallery Flint, Michigan, Works on paper
*Neighborhood Watch* 4'x4' Acrylic on wood © 1999 Villanueva	1997 Judite Galleries, New York New York, Solo Exhibition, Ink on Paper 1997 LaFontsee Galleries, Grand Rapids Michigan, Works on Paper 1997 Gallerie Chiz, Pittsburg Pannsylvania, Works on Paper 1997 Judite Galleries, New York New York, Solo Exhibition, Ink on Paper 1997 Ward-Nasse Gallery, New York New York, Works on Paper 1997 Judite Galleries, New York New York, Solo Exhibition, Ink on Paper 1996 Moscoso Gallery, Washington
*Rush Hour* 4'x4' Acrylic on wood © 1999 Villanueva	1996 Studios On The Square Gallery Roanobe, Virginia, Works on Paper 1995 Moscoso Gallery, Washington D.C., Works on Paper 1995 Gallery Neo., Charlottesville Virginia, Solo Exhibition A Retrospective(1990-1995), Works on Paper 1995 Studio on the Square Roanobe, Virginia, Works on Paper 1995 Agora Gallery, New York New York, Works on Paper 1995 Judite Gallery, New York New York, Solo Exhibition, Ink on Paper 1995 Ward-Nasse Gallery, New York New York, Ink on Paper 1995 Ward Nasse Gallery, New York New York, Ink on Paper
	*I Hate This Job* 4'x4' Acrylic on wood © 1999 Villanueva	Happy Birthday...and Goodbye! 4'x4', Acrylic on wood © 1999 Villanueva