Artist Statement

GRIMANESA AMORÓS is a Peruvian-born American multimedia creative whose work explores community connections intersecting history, technology, and architecture. Her keen understanding of structure enables her to create monumental sculptures incorporating various elements such as video, lighting, and electronic components to create immersive environments and connect the viewer to their surroundings. Technology compliments the concepts of her work without defining it—a medium of expression.

Describing her work as a “constant romance with the unknown”, Amorós first incorporated light into her practice following a fated trip to Iceland. While there, she saw the northern lights and realized the powerful ephemeral magic light held. She discusses light’s ability to transcend social and geographic boundaries “we all connect to light.”

Drawing upon critical cultural legacies and landscapes, Amorós is inspired by the communities she creates within. Installing and programming each piece on-site, direct interaction with the surrounding architecture is key to creating her work. “Ultimately, the piece connects the viewers, space, and light sculpture, merging them into one.” Grimanesa Amorós’ artwork ties the past, present, and future— pushing viewers to think beyond and challenging their initial perceptions.

Jane Farver writes, “A joyful and generous spirit, Amorós views her art as a gift to others.” Amoros has connected cultures and viewers through the medium of light in the United States, Europe, Asia, the Middle East, and Latin America as a guest speaker at TEDGlobal 2014 and as a part of the Art in Embassies Program of the US.

“My work is a constant romance with the Unknown”



Grimanesa Amoros portrait photo by Chiara Cussatt



Artist CV

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Bibliography



PROJECTS/COMMISSIONS

 
2023
Shelter Island Project, AETERNUM  (Shelter Island,NY)
2022
Cultural Palace Diplomatic Quarters /Noor RiyadhAMPLEXUS (Riyadh,Saudi Arabia)
Azkuna Zentroa /The Wellbeing ProjectSCIENTIA (Bilbao, Spain)
 
2021
JIO WORLD DRIVE, GOLDEN ARRAY, (Mumbai, India)
UES Landmark Building, PARADISUS (New York, NY)

2020
176 E 82nd St Building, IUGO, (New York, NY)
The Bayer Building, OSTIUM, (New York, NY)

2019
Palazzo Colesanti, CETHA, (Civita di Bagnoregio, Italy)
13th Havana Biennale / Detras del Muro, Mariposa Dorada, (Havana Cuba)

2018
80 White St Landmark Building Argentum, (New York, NY)
BRIC at Prospect Park, Hedera, (New York, NY)

2016
Grand Palais – Biennale Des Antiquaires, Timeless Motion (In Life and Light), (Paris, France)
Philippe Starck Malecón Building, DNA, (Lima, Peru)

2015
The Peninsula New York, Pink Lotus, (New York, NY)
Scottsdale Public Art, Soleri Bridge, Golden Waters, (Scottsdale, AZ)

2014
Time Equity Art in Building Program, Breathless Maiden Lane, (New York, NY)

2013
La Fragua Tabacalera, Fortuna, (Madrid, Spain)
Harper’s BAZAAR Art Night Art Basel, Golden Connection, (Hong Kong, China)
The Lite Center, Uros House, (Louisiana, Lafayette)

2012

La Ruta de la Amistad Patronage, WMF, Nina Menocal Gallery, La Torre De Los Vientos, (Mexico D.F.)
21c Museum Hotel, Uros, (Cincinnati, Ohio)
Breadboard and PECO building, Art in the Air “UVASIS”, Uvasis, (Philadelphia, Pennsylvania)

2011
tribeca ISSEY MIYAKE Headquarters, Uros, (New York, NY)
A-PART Contemporary Art Festival, The Chapelle de la Persévérance, Golden Uros, (Tarascon, France)
Times Square Alliance Public Arts Program / The Armory Show, Uros House, (New York, NY)
Reflexion Obscura, Between Heaven and Earth, Big Screen Project, La Procesion, (New York, NY)

2010
Allure of the Seas Underside of Bridge in Central Park, Racimo, (Turku, Finland)
Claramatte Parkhaus Façade, La Recolección, (Basel, Switzerland)
No Longer Empty, “Tapiz”, Tapiz, (New York, NY)

2009
tribeca ISSEY MIYAKE Headquarters, Aurora, (New York, NY)

2007
Jamaica Flux: Workspaces and Windows 2007, Remolino, (Queens, NY)
AKA One Rittenhouse Square lobby, Human Survival, (Philadelphia, PA)
Phase 4, Hudson River Community Health Center Façade, Substancial, (Peekskill, NY)

2006
Hudson River Community Health Center, Mobile Dental Van, Ambulante, (Peekskill, NY)
The Lab Project, Terraforms, (Miami, FL)
The Bayer Building Lobby, TriBeca, Terrarium, (New York, NY)

2005
Lee Building, 125th Street, Frente Feroz, (Harlem, NY)
Hudson River Community Health Center Façade, Substancial, (Peekskill, NY)

 

SOLO EXHIBITIONS


2018
La Fragua Tabacalera, “Ocupante”, (Koblenz, Germany)
Museo Nacional de Bellas Artes de Cuba, “Moviendo America con Grimanesa Amoros” (Havana, Cuba)

2016
Ludwig Museum, Ocupante, (Koblenz, Germany)
Chappelle of Couvent Des Ursuline, a-part festival, Let’s Dance, Corps en mouvements (Tarascon, France)

2014
Rutgers University, Momentum: Women, Art, and Technology, (New Jersey, USA)

2013
CAFA Art Museum, The Mirror Connection, (Beijing, China)
The Litvak Gallery, Light Between the Islands, (Tel Aviv, Israel)

2012
YUAN Museum, Voyager Video Retrospective, (Beijing, China)
A-part Contemporary Art Festival, Golden Uros, (Alpilles-Provence, France)
Seoul National University Museum of Art, LIGHTING / SCULPTURE / VIDEO, (Seoul, Korea)

2011
Paul and Lulu Hilliard Art Museum at the University of Louisiana at Lafayette, Uros House, (Lafayette, Louisiana)
Museo De Arte Contemporaneo de Alcoy La Sala NETART, Video Retrospective, (Alcoy, Spain)

2010
Son Espace Gallery, Preciosas Burbujas/Preoccupation, (Girona, Spain)
The Lab Gallery Rogersmith, La Incubadora, (New York, NY)

2009
Centro de Cultura Antiguo Instituto (CCAI),
Optica Festival, Remolino and La Maleta Del Inmigrante, (Gijon, Spain)

2008
Hudson Valley Center for Contemporary Art, Rootless Algas, (Peekskill, NY)
Hardcore Art Contemporary Space, You Cannot Feel It…I Wish You Could, (Miami, FL)

2006
City Art Gallery, Fifth Edition, Natural/Human Festival, Reflexion Obscura, (Varna, Bulgaria)
Hostos Center for the Arts & Culture, Between Heaven and Earth & Rootless Algas, (Bronx, New York)

2004
Maxwell Fine Arts, The Peekskill Project, You cannot feel it…I wish you could, (Peekskill, NY)
Artspace, Rootless Algas, (Raleigh, NC)

2003
R&F Gallery, Encaustic Panels, (Kingston, NY)
Artco Gallery, Installations of Drawings, (Lima, Peru)

 

AWARDS/GRANTS

2023 

2022 
Creative Visionaries (USA)
 
2021 
îM Light Award (New York, NY)

2019
Civita Institute NE Chapter Fellowship (USA)

2018
CultureSummit 2018 Artist-In-Residence Award (Abu Dhabi, UAE)
Menina NWW 2018 Award (New York, NY)

2017
The Bronx Museum of the Arts: Aim Alumni Artist Award (Bronx, NY)
Visionary Art Show Lifetime Achievement Award (Lecce, Italy)

2014
Estelle Lebowitz Visiting Artist in Residence (Jersey City, NJ)

2011
Newark Municipal Council Cultural Award by the City of Newark (Newark, NJ) 2005 X Tumi USA Award (Miami,FL)

2004
Centrum Arts, Residency (Port Townsend, WA)
ARTspace Summer Artist-in-Residence (Raleigh, NC)

2003
Art in Embassies Program of the U.S. Department of State (Lima, Peru)

2002
Virginia Center for the Creative Arts Fellowship Residency (Lynchburg, VA)
Santa Fe Art Institute Artist Residency (Santa Fe, New Mexico)

2001
Art in Embassies Program of the U.S. Department of State, (Ankara, Turkey)

1994
NEA Visual Arts Grants Fellowships 1993 , (New York, NY)

1993
NEA Visual Arts Grants Fellowships 1993 (Washington, DC)
Art-Omi Residency (Columbia County, NY)

1990
The Bronx Museum of the Arts: Aim Program (Bronx, NY)

1986
National Art Club, Gramercy Park (New York, NY)
Art Students League “Merit Scholarship” (New York, NY)
The Louis Comfort Tiffany Foundation “Participant Biennial Competition” (New York, NY)

1985
Art Students League “Painting Fellowship” (New York, NY)

 

Short BIO in Espanol

Please direct all inquiries to: studio(a)grimanesaamoros.com