Nicolas Uribe’s painted portraits contain varying levels of abstraction, injecting both a surreal and engrossing quality into each work. The Colombia-based painter has also delved into kinetic scenes in this style, all carrying the intimacy and unsteadiness of memory.
In a statement, he offers some insight into his journey as a painter: “I was born in cozy Madison, Wisconsin, but ever since that day, I have not set foot in Wisconsin again,” the artist says. “In all honesty, I haven’t really been actively avoiding this generous land of cheese and beer. Given the very attractive winters that this icebox of a state has to offer, I was happy that my parents decided to return to Colombia before my first birthday. I spent my first 17 years in Bogota and after finishing high school, I went to New York to study illustration in SVA. After graduating, I worked at Evergreene Painting Studios, a mural painting studio, and at The Studio, an illustration studio where I did animatics, storyboards, print jobs, together with some illustration jobs (paperbacks, jackets, etc). After two years of constant and diligently supervised drawing, I decided to go back home to Colombia and be free to paint full time. What was a hard decision at first, turned into the best career move. I have been able to paint what I love, and be surrounded by friends and family.”
Today, Uribe’s work is shown across the world. While maintaining his personal career, he also teaches life drawing and painting at the Pontifical Xavierian University in Bogota.
