Group 12 Chicago 1985 - Artists info

Mariella Agois. Born In Lima, Peru (1956), Mariella began her career as a photographer, participating in numerous workshops and exhibitions, both in her native country and abroad. In 1981, she represented Peru in the "Segundo Coloquio Latinoamericano de Fotografía" in Mexico City. In the same year, Mariella came to Chicago to work on her B.F.A at the School of the Art Institute, aiming to enlarge her experience not only in photography but In other aspects of the fine arts as well. Since then, Mariella has been involved in painting and printmaking, frequently returning to her photographic images as a point ol departure for her usually poetic pictorial combinations. Currently completing work on her M.F.A. at the School of the Art Institute, Mariella's work continues to evolve and grow. In early 1986, Mariella had her first solo exhibition at the "Centro Cultural de la Municipalidad de Miraflores" in Lima, Peru.

Raul Cristancho. Born in Colombia in 1955, Cristancho studied at the School of Fine Arts of the National University of Bogota. In 1981 he came to Chicago with a Fulbright scholarship to complete work for an M.F.A. in painting at the School of the Art Institute. In 1986, he received a degree in art history from the same institution. During his stay in Chicago, Cristancho has participated in many groups shows such as "Unknown Chicago Painters" at the Gallery 400 (1985) and '"Two Painters" at the Merchant Gallery in Cincinnati, Ohio (1984). In addition to this, he has taken part in cooperative mural projects at the University of Illinois at Chicago Circle (1985), The Art Institute of Chicago (1986), and an ongoing project for the Ford City Bank. Interested in contemporary Issues in art, Cristancho writes for various publications in the city and is the Chicago correspondent for the Spanish art magazine "Figura".

Eladio Gonzalez. Born in Matanzas, Cuba (1937), Gonzalez, an accomplished painter and sculptor, Is the veteran artist of the group, working in both media since the late 60's. After leaving Cuba in 1967 where he worked for the "Consejo Nacional de Cultura Cuban. Gonzalez lived in Europe where he observed the contemporary trends of art in Madrid and Paris. In 1968, he came to Chicago and where has lived ever since. Here, he has exhibited at the Museum of Science and Industry, the Chicago Press Club, the Hyde Park Art Center, and the Grand Salon of Illinois. His work also has been shown in several other cities in this country and In South America. In 1984, Gonzalez was awarded the Cintas Fellowship from the Institute of International Education.

Nereida Garcia. Born in Habana, Cuba (1954), Nereida is an experienced and accomplished Hispanic female artist working in Chicago. Since graduating from the School of the Art institute, she has been awarded several grants and fellowships such as the Ryerson Traveling Fellowship (1981), a grant from the National Endowment for the Arts (1985), and an Illinois Arts Council Fellowship (1985-86). A laborious and prolific painter, her works have been seen frequently at both A.R.C. Gallery and Artemisia Gallery in Chicago. She also participated in the 1984 Chicago and Vicinity Show. Nereida enjoyed great success with her first one-person exhibition at the University of Illinois at Champaign.

Eliud Hernandez. Born In Puerto Rico in 1954, Hernandez studied at the University of Illinois. He Is a photographer who has dedicated a large part of his energies to organizational activities, holding positions such as Director of the Humboldt Park Cultural Center 1978-82. He has also been a panel member for the organization various Hispanic festivals In Chicago. In 1971, Hernandez, co-founded "El Taller" (The Workshop), an Institution dedicated. to promoting Interest in the arts In, the Hispanic community; and he served on its administrative board until 1982. Currently, Hernandez serves as the Director of the Visual Arts Programs for the Illinois Arts Council.

Oscar L. Martinez. Born in Ponce, Puerto Rico, Martinez studied art at the University of Illinois at Champaign. Later he specialized in medical Illustration at the Medical Center of the University of Illinois with the purpose of the Intense study of human anatomy. Martinez works at creating allegorical Images with surrealistic Oll8rtones that originate in his spiritual and cultural roots. His civic activities Include a position on the Board of the Department of Culture and Arts Affairs of the City of Chicago, the presidency of the Board of the Puerto Rican Cultural Center for the Arts, and membership of the Latino Institute of Chicago.

María Martínez-Cañas. Artistic refinement and technical professionalism are shown in the work of this young Cuban born (1960) photographer who, despite her youth, has already had an Intense artistic career. María grew up In an artistic milleu, a situation which prompted her to start working at an early age. She has exhibited regularly since she was 17, In the United States, Europe and in Puerto Rico, where she had her first one-person show at the Museum of Fine Arts of the University of Puerto Rico in 1983. After completing her B.F.A. at the Philadelphia College of Art, I María came to the School of the Art Institute of Chicago to complete work for an M.F.A. In photography. In Chicago, her work is represented by the Marianne Deson Gallery, where she has also, I exhibited. María has Just returned from Spain where she spent six months on a Fulbright-Hays traveling grant.

Gamaliel Ramirez. Ramirez Is a Puerto Rican artist whose work Is thoroughly committed to his cultural roots. This is also evident in his activities as an educator and organizer of community arts programs. He has created exhibitions and art festivals, Introducing workshops in drawing and mural painting for youngsters. Ramirez Is also co-founder of “El Taller " (The Workshop), an organization dedicated to the development and promotion of the arts within the Hispanic community. Active since 1972, Ramirez combines his easel painting activity with the realization of mural paintings for various communities in Chicago. For the past two years, Ramirez' work has represented Chicago in the national Hispanic exhibition MIRA!

Alejandro Romero. Born In Mexico (1949) and a resident of Chicago since 1976, I Romero is probably the best-known Latin American artist working In the city. His work has found increasing popularity ' through the publication of numerous, posters he has created for various cultural events In Chicago. He was educated at the San Carlos Fine Arts School of Mexico City and later worked under the doctrines of the Mexican muralist school, often under the direction and with the counsel of such noted artists as Siqueiros and O'Gorman. Romero sees his work as the continuation of that tradition, infused with a contemporary sensibility. Keeping Chicago as the center of his activity, Romero has shown his work in countless group and one-man shows throughout this country, Mexico, South America and Japan among others. Particularly important were his one-man shows at the Chicago Cultural Center In 1984 and his recent “Graphic Works Exhibition” at Arte Message in Rome.

Paul Sierra. Paul Sierra is a young Cuban artist whose work, as seen in his latest show at the Artemisa Gallery in Chicago, Is related to the recent neo-figurative trends in painting. Sierra came to the United States In 1961 and attended the School of the Art Institute of Chicago and the American Academy of Art. Working steadily in this decade, Sierra has had his work exhibited throughout the country: In 1982 he had a solo show at the Nomberg Gallery In St. Louis; In 1984 he participated in the group exhibition "New Forms In Figuration" at the Center of Intramerican Relations in New York; the same year Sierra's work was part of the group show "Aquí in the Fisher Gallery In Los Angeles. In Chicago he has been associated with the Halsted Gallery, where he will have a solo show this December. Sierra Is also currently preparing work to be Included In a 1987 traveling show throughout the United States, dedicated to “Contemporary Hispanic Art".

Bibiana Suarez Vanrell. Bibiana was born in 1960 in Mayaguez, where she attended the University of Puerto Rico. In 1981, Bibiana came to the School of the Art Institute of Chicago to complete work on her B.F A and to obtain a certificate in art education. Today she is the school's Assistant Director of Student Affairs for International and Off-Campus Programs. The Intensity of her always large and carefully executed graphite drawings, In which she deciphers the elements In the crossroads of cultures which make up the Caribbean heritage, has commanded the attention and respect of the public and critics In her exhibitions, both in this country and Puerto Rico. This year she participated In a Hispanic artists group show at the Noyes Art Center in Evanston, Illinois. In Chicago, her work has been shown at and represented by the Contemporary Art Workshop.

Ramón Vila. Ramón Vila was born in Camuy, Puerto Rico. He moved to the mainland during the 70's. In Chicago, he received both his B.F.A. in photography and M.F.A. in filmmaking from the School of the Art Institute. An artist, organizer and educator, Vila combines his artistic activity with the organization of photography workshops for children and teenagers, and the coordination of art exhibitions. Very concerned with the artistic scene of his native Puerto Rico, he has been involved In important shows such as “La Nueva Fotografía Puertorriqueña" (1985-86) at the Museum of the University of Puerto Rico at Río Piedras; "Eros" photographic exhibit (1984) at Casa Aboy, San Juan; "La Gran Pasión" (1983), at the New Museum of Contemporary Art in New York City. In 1985, Vila was selected to participate In the "Tercer Coloquio Latinoamericano de Fotografía" in Habana, Cuba.