MEW

JAVIER BERNAL AREVALO

BIO

Javier Bernal-Arevalo is a Colombian artist known for his interdisciplinary approach to creating visual works that explore contemporary and social themes, often dealing with myths and mysticism present in our era. His art delves into how our perceptions on identity, nostalgia, and the intersection of traditional artistic skills within the internet age, and how they affect his practice as a painter, also reinforcing other expressions ch as installation, and digital techniques to convey his particular artistic vision. Bernal Arevalo is also recognized for his interest in urban and collective memory, elements that are reflected in his work. One of his main talents lies in his ability to mix media and techniques, allowing him to create pieces that are both visually captivating and conceptually deep. His art tends to challenge the viewer to reconsider everyday environments and the political and social themes that permeate our lives.

The artist's works are in museums and private collections, e.g. Museum of Independence "Casa Florero" (Colombia), in the private collection of Luis Javier Castro (Costa Rica) amongst others.

For his artistic work, he has received 11 national (Colombia) and a number of international awards.

He lives and works in Gdansk, and currently is represented by Haze Gallery in Berlin.

EDUCATION

MA FINE ART at Central Saint Martins UAL (London, UK) 2013-2015

BFA in ARTS University Jorge Tadeo Lozano (Colombia) 2002

Escuela Estudio XXI Drama. 1997-1999

Javeriana University (Colombia) Industrial Design and Visual Arts. 1991-1997

PERSONAL & GROUP EXHIBITIONS

SOLO:

“Planideras, Narratives on the Banal” Painting, animation and sculpture. Wl4 Art Space, Gdansk,

Poland 2023

“Composite Sketches” Artbo week 100 Drawings and Video Animation. Cinema Tonala, Bogotá,

Colombia 2017

“Composite Sketches” 100 Drawings and Video Animation. Laznia Contemporary Art Center, Gdansk,

Poland 2017

“Restitution”. 600 Drawings and Animation. Flora Ars+Natura, Bogota, Col 2013;

“Momentum”. Painting 217 Drawings Animation. Museum of Independence, Casa del Florero, Bogota

Col 2012,

“Periplus” Painting. Galeria Esquina Itinerante, Bogota Col 2012;

“Glances” Painting and Drawing. Artroom Galeria, Bogota Colombia 2007.

GROUP SHOWS:

"Protest Art" International Art Exhibition. Animation. Wl4 Gdansk 2024

"ZERO EDGE" Shift (Version Europe). Animation. Online international art exhibition. China and

Europe 2020

"Spectacle 2019" International Art Exchange Exhibition. Painting, 250 drawings and animation.

Gongqingcheng, China 2019

"Capital@Art International' International Art Exhibition. Video installation. Frankfurt, Germany 2017;

“Composite Sketches” 100 drawings and Animation, Cinemateca Distrital, Bogotá, Colombia 2017;

“Momentum” Drawings and Animation. Kino Babylon, Berlin, Germany 2017;

“Meztisajes” Drawings. Katapult Galerie, Basel Switzerland, 2016;

“Granfalloon” Painting, Animation Installation. Granary Building Central Saint Martins, London, UK

2015;

Possible portrait of a lost boy 15 years later. Painting. ArtWorks Project Space - Barbican Arts Group

Trust, London UK, 2014; Barge House. London UK 2014;

“Meteor” 100 drawings and animation. Fundación Gilberto Alzate Avendaño, Bogotá Colombia 2012;

“Miradas” Drawings. "The Other” Art Fair 2008, Bogota, Colombia 2008.

SCHOLARSHIPS PRIZES & RELATED

- Chosen by the magazine "Art news in China", to present a painting reflecting on Covid 19 in the

Magazine. 2020- Finalist at the "Fonca National residences award" (Mexico) 2018

- Composite Sketches. Cineautopsia- first Prize Animation. Bogotá Colombia 2017

- Barbican Art Works Open. (Painting/Drawing) Selected for a group exhibitation in London UK 2014

- Winner National Excellence Professional Awards “Colfuturo” and Ministry of Culture of Colombia,

to study at Central Saint Martins UAL UK. 2013

- Restitution. Winner National Residence Awards, Flora Ars+Natura, Honda Colombia, 2013,

- Momentum. Winner National Open Call “History Interventions” National Museum of Independence

(Casa del Florero) 2012

- Meteor 91 days. Winner of a Honorable Mention in the 2nd Biennale of Art of Bogotá 2012

- Meteor 91 days. Chosen for the in the 2nd Biennale of Art of Bogotá 2012

- Rapunzel. Karrvaz (UNESCO) scholarship artists residence Alcala del Jucar (Spain) 2009

- Liquid Mother. National Salon of the arts (The great mediatic painting) 2007

- Arrithmeosis art video 2001, First place university contest equinoxio. 2001

- Arrithmeosis art video 2001 Out of contest, Bogota film festival 2001