Rafael Saldarriaga

Rafael Saldarriaga, born in Medellín, Colombia in 1955, is a renowned artist who moved to the United States in 1993. After living in New Mexico and Hawaii, he settled in New York City. Saldarriaga studied at Live de Zulateqi’s Art Academy and earned a degree in Architecture and Urban Design from Pontificia Bolivariana University. In 1984, he transitioned to being a full-time painter, dedicating his career to creating captivating works of art that blend his architectural background with his artistic vision.

SOLO EXHIBITIONS

2005- Galleria de Arte El Taller, Medellin, Colombia

2003-4 Notes in Color, Colombian Center Gallery, New York City

2000- Artist on the Scene, AMC Gallery, New York City 2000- Bodegones, Colombian Government Trade Bureau, New York City

1998- Still Life, United Nations Secretarial Bldg., New York City Bodegones, Consulate General of Colombia, New York City

1999-01. Open Studio, New York, NY 1985- Club Campestre, Cali Colombia

1984-93- Open Studio, Medellín, Colombia

1976- Academia de Arte Libe de Zulategi y Mejia, Medellín, Colombia 

GROUP EXHIBITIONS 

2006. Elizabeth Foundation for the Arts, Open Studios, New York, NY 2005. Latin American Expressions, The Flinn Gallery, Greenwich Library, CT

2004. Latin American Art Exhibition, Wally Findlay Galleries, New York, NY

2008 Latin American Art Exhibition, Wally Findlay Galleries, Palm Beach, FL

2001. Drawings and Photographs, Gunter Knob Studio, New York City

1999. New House Galleries for Contemporary Art at Snug Harbor Cultural Center, Staten Island, NY . Selected Latin Artists, Art Center, Atlantic City, New Jersey . Chelsea Art Walk, New York, NY

1998. AT&T Latino Art Festival 1998, Queens, NY . Latin American Art in the 90s, St. Johns University, Jamaica, New York . Chelsea Art Festival, New York City . The Belle Arts Gala, NE Gallery, New York City

1997. Hui No’eau Visual Art Center Open Studio, Maui, Hawaii . Colombia in New York, Euroamerica Gallery, New York City . Grand Prix du Japon, Biennale Internacional de Sapporo, Japan . Biennale International D’Aquitaine, Musee des Beaux-Arts d’Unet, France

1996. Southwest 96, Museum of New Mexico, Santa Fe, New Mexico . Artist of Hawaii

1996, Honolulu Academy of Art, Honolulu, Hawaii . Commitment to Excellency, Japanese Chamber of Commerce, Hawaii

1995. Objective None Objective, Dartmouth Street Gallery, Albuquerque, New Mexico . Hardwood Premiere, Albuquerque, New Mexico RAFAEL SALDARRIAGA Hoffman Town Studies Exhibitions, Albuquerque, New Mexico

1993. Academia de Arte Libe de Zulategi y Mejia, Medellin, Colombia 1990. Colectivas de Beneficiencia, Medellín, Colombia

1988. Pintores Antioqueños, Camara de Comercio, Medellín, Colombia La Pintura en Antioquia, Arte Autopista, Medellín, Colombia AWARDS . “Premier Prix du Public” Gran Prix du Japon et Biennale de Sapporo, Japan . “Prix de Creative”, Biennale de’ Aquitaine, Musee de la Comanderie d’Unet, France . “Honorable Mention”, Crabbie Awards

1997, Art Calendar, USA . “Yomiuri America Outstanding Newcomer Award 1996” Japanese Chamber of Commerce, Hawaii . Selected, Southwest 96, Museum of New Mexico, Santa Fe, New México . Selected, Artist of Hawaii

1996, Honolulu Academy of Art, Honolulu, Hawaii PUBLICATIONS . “Latin American Art Exhibition”, Wally Findlay Galleries,

2004 (catalog) . “Noticiero Colombiano e Hispano “ Newspaper, November 7, 2003, New York, NY . “Noticias del Mundo” Newspaper, November 7, 2003, New York, NY . “Still Life in Oils” by Theodora Philcox, AVA Publishing Co., Switzerland, 2002 . “Hoy” Newspaper, March 2, 20001, New York, New York . “El Heraldo” Newspaper, August 29 of 1999, Barranquilla, Colombia. . ”El Tiempo” Newspaper, Lecturas Dominicales, August 30 of 1998, Bogota, Colombia . “El Colombiano” Newspaper, August 29, 1998, Medellín, Colombia . “El Colombiano” Newspaper, December 22, 1998, Medellín, Colombia . “Noticias del Mundo” Newspaper, May of 1998 New York, New York . “Noticiero Colombiano e Hispano “ Newspaper, Mayo 14, 1998, New York, NY . “Noticiero Colombiano e Hispano “ Newspaper, November 15, 1998, New York, NY . “El Puente Latino” Magazine, May and June of 1998, New York, NY . “Belle Art Gala”, 1998, New York, New York (catalog) . “AT&T Latino Art festival”, 1998, New York, NY (catalog) . “Biennial International de Aquitaine”, “Biennial International de Sapporo”, 1997 . “South West 96”, 1996, Santa Fe, New Mexico (catalog) . “Honolulu Advertiser”, Newspaper, September 15, 1996, Honolulu, Hawaii . “Albuquerque Journal”, Newspaper, May 28, 1995, Albuquerque, New Mexico . “Objective None Objective”, 1995, Albuquerque, New Mexico (catalog) EDUCATION 1978. Art Studies, Art Academy Libe de Zulategi y Mejia, Medellin, Colombia 1983. Architecture and Urban Degree, Pontificia Bolivariana University, Medellín, Colombia 1988. Itching Studies, Taller de Grabado, Medellin Colombia 1994-95. Live Drawing, Hardwood Hoffman Studio, Albuquerque, NM 1997-98. Live Drawing, Hui No’eau Visual Art Center, Maui, HI 1998-99. Live Drawing and Portrait, Art Student League, New York, NY 2000-03. Live Drawing, Spring Studio, New York, NY