Federico Uribe: Found Beauty
NOVEMBER 16, 2023 - February 9, 2024
Federico Uribe, Rabbit in Flowerbed, 2023, Colored pencil collage, 27 1/2 x 19 x 6 inches
Adelson Galleries is pleased to present an exhibition of collage works by Federico Uribe at 595 Madison Avenue in New York. This will be Uribe’s second solo exhibition at our New York location and will coincide with a significant survey of the artist’s work at the Madison Museum of Contemporary Art, Wisconsin, USA, on view from September 2023 through May 2024.
Federico Uribe, a Colombian-born artist, has captivated audiences globally with his imaginative and extraordinary approach to art. Uribe’s artistic practice is characterized by a meticulous and decisive process. The most immediately apparent aspect of Uribe’s art is his unique use of materials. His brushstrokes are composed of everyday objects, instead of conventional paint. He ingeniously repurposes these objects, considering their physical composition as areas of color to be applied to his canvas. He prefers to maintain the integrity of the original object so that it is recognizable up close. Pencils arranged in a deliberate pattern reveal a flower; guitar strings sticking out from the surface of the canvas suggest a waterfall; electrical wires in the shape of musical notes sing from a figure’s hair, suggesting a song in his head.
Uribe's background as a formally trained painter has endowed him with a deep understanding of color theory and composition. His proficiency enables him to visualize the completed painting even before the first brushstroke, without any preliminary sketches. His adeptness in seeing the broader picture while attending to the nuanced details showcases a mastery that is both intuitive and learned.
The progression since his last New York exhibition in 2014 demonstrates a journey of exploration, experimentation, and maturation. In several of the pencil collages in this exhibition, Uribe has re-worked older compositions, surrounding his figures with foliage. The canvases are rich with color and often humor. His intention is to make people smile and bring joy to their lives. The vivid artworks reflect the artist’s personal growth, accepting that it is better to laugh than dwell on past or current pain. We hope you are able to immerse yourself in this exhibition and enjoy each work as much as the artist enjoyed making them.
Federico Uribe: Found Beauty will be on view from November 16, 2023 to February 9, 2024.
The Fuller Building
595 Madison Avenue, 4th Floor, New York, NY
Monday - Friday, 11am - 6pm
Saturdays by appointment
