Light Between the Islands background by Grimanesa Amoros
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Biography

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.”



Artist CV

Bibliography



PROJECTS/COMMISSIONS

 
2025-27
Harper St. Asphalt Plant, FLEXUS (New York, NY)
 
2025
The Peninsula Hotel x Ci, PASSAGE (Istanbul, Turkey)
The Plaza Residences, SOLAR SANCTUARY (New York, NY)
 
2024
The Bronx Museum of the Arts, ARGENTUM (New York, NY)
Veronique Gabai, L’OASIS (Paris/New York)
PRITCH London x Grimanesa Amoros, LUVINA (London/New York)
Lessin Tower, AEVUM (Middle East)
Villa Escandon, SISTRUM (Mexico City, Mexico)
 
2023
AETERNUM (Shelter Island,NY)
Upper East Landmark Building, PARADISUS (New York, NY)
 
2022
The Cultural Palace / Noor RiyadhAMPLEXUS (Riyadh,Saudi Arabia)
Azkuna Zentroa Museum / The Wellbeing ProjectSCIENTIA (Bilbao, Spain)
 
2021
Reliance Group / JIO WORLD DRIVE, GOLDEN ARRAY, (Mumbai, India)

2020
Upper East Side Building by ODA Architecture, IUGO, (New York, NY)
TriBeCa Landmark Building, OSTIUM, (New York, NY)

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

2018
TriBeCa Landmark Building ARGENTUM, (New York, NY)
Prospect Park x BRIC, HEDERA, (New York, NY)

2016
Grand Palais – Biennale Des Antiquaires, TIMELESS MOTION, (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 Building, BREATHLESS MAIDEN LANE, (New York, NY)

2013
Tabacalera, FORTUNA, (Madrid, Spain)
Harper’s BAZAAR Art Night Art Basel, GOLDEN CONNECTION, (Hong Kong, China)
The Lite Center, UROS HOUSE, (Lafayette, Louisiana)

2012
La Ruta de la Amistad, World Monument Fund, Nino Menocal Gallery, La Torre De Los Vientos, (Mexico City, Mexico)
21c Museum Hotel, UROS, (Cincinnati, Ohio)
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, RACIMO, (Turku, Finland)
Claramatte Parkhaus Façade, La Recolección, (Basel, Switzerland)
No Longer Empty, 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)
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, TERRARIUM, (New York, NY)

2005
Lee Building, FRENTE FEROZ, (Harlem, NY)
Hudson River Community Health Center Façade, SUBSTANCIAL, (Peekskill, NY)

 

SOLO EXHIBITIONS


2022
Richard Taittinger Gallery, “Women” (New York, NY)

2018
Tabacalera, OCUPANTE, (Madrid, Spain)
Museo Nacional de Bellas Artes de Cuba, “Moviendo America con Grimanesa Amoros” (Havana, Cuba)

2016
Ludwig Museum, OCUPANTE, (Koblenz, Germany)
Katonah Museum of Art, OnSite Katonah, (Katonah, NY)
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
Museum of China Central Academy of Fine Arts, 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


2025
Medallas de Oro XI Edición for the Visual Arts (Madrid, Spain)

2023 
The Choose Creativity Awards, The Lulu and Leo Fund (New York, NY)

2022 
ÎLE MAISON ÎM Light Award (New York, NY)
 
2021 
CODAWORX Creative Revolutionaries (USA)

2019
Civita Institute NE Chapter Fellowship (USA)

2018
Culture Summit 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
Cultural Recognition 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: [email protected]