Jose Cifuentes
CIFUENTES' artistic practice is rooted in the visual expression of freedom. He looks to his own experiences as a Colombian immigrant in North America, often marked by instability and restriction. In response, CIFUENTES’ work seeks to break free from convention in order to express emotional havoc. Starting out as a street artist, CIFUENTES keeps with the tradition through his use of spray paint and marker, juxtaposed with acrylic and oil paint. The resulting canvases oscillate between the abstract and the figural, stylistically defying categorization. Freedom of expression in both style and concept is the thread that binds the works in CIFUENTES’ oeuvre.
Born in Medellin, Colombia, CIFUENTES moved to the United States as a teenager. He completed a diploma from Bergen College in New Jersey where he studied Fine Arts. In 2009, CIFUENTES moved back to Medellin where he founded the award-winning clothing brand beFREE. In 2016 CIFUENTES moved to Toronto where he continues to live and work.
CIFUENTES’ work has been featured in fairs and exhibitions internationally, including Red Dot Miami, Florida; Gallery 1313, Toronto; ARTA Gallery, Toronto; Distrito Creativo el Perpetuo Socorro, Medellin; and Monroe Center for the Arts, Hoboken. He is recipient of the Panasonic Creative Excellence Award and a 2019 Refugee and Newcomer Mentorship Grant from Toronto Arts Council.
ARTIST’S STATEMENT
Let my work be known for manifesting varied visual representations of freedom, these unexpected paintings are a mixture of thick knife strokes with free-hand illustrations on canvas and recycled surfaces. I collect and portray moods that are in vivid, visceral paint strokes, loose lines, deliberate drips and passionate splatters. All this to the novel end of creating an unconventional marriage of fine and urban art.
Drawing from my experience as an immigrant in the U.S.A, and now Canada, my work expresses the authenticity of artistic freedom and the emotional havoc that surrounds it. To be an immigrant is to struggle in life with instability, but this also means embracing the realities of said struggle to grow bold, fearless and free.
CIFUENTES' artistic practice is rooted in the visual expression of freedom. He looks to his own experiences as a Colombian immigrant in North America, often marked by instability and restriction. In response, CIFUENTES’ work seeks to break free from convention in order to express emotional havoc. Starting out as a street artist, CIFUENTES keeps with the tradition through his use of spray paint and marker, juxtaposed with acrylic and oil paint. The resulting canvases oscillate between the abstract and the figural, stylistically defying categorization. Freedom of expression in both style and concept is the thread that binds the works in CIFUENTES’ oeuvre.
Born in Medellin, Colombia, CIFUENTES moved to the United States as a teenager. He completed a diploma from Bergen College in New Jersey where he studied Fine Arts. In 2009, CIFUENTES moved back to Medellin where he founded the award-winning clothing brand beFREE. In 2016 CIFUENTES moved to Toronto where he continues to live and work.
CIFUENTES’ work has been featured in fairs and exhibitions internationally, including Red Dot Miami, Florida; Gallery 1313, Toronto; ARTA Gallery, Toronto; Distrito Creativo el Perpetuo Socorro, Medellin; and Monroe Center for the Arts, Hoboken. He is recipient of the Panasonic Creative Excellence Award and a 2019 Refugee and Newcomer Mentorship Grant from Toronto Arts Council.
ARTIST’S STATEMENT
Let my work be known for manifesting varied visual representations of freedom, these unexpected paintings are a mixture of thick knife strokes with free-hand illustrations on canvas and recycled surfaces. I collect and portray moods that are in vivid, visceral paint strokes, loose lines, deliberate drips and passionate splatters. All this to the novel end of creating an unconventional marriage of fine and urban art.
Drawing from my experience as an immigrant in the U.S.A, and now Canada, my work expresses the authenticity of artistic freedom and the emotional havoc that surrounds it. To be an immigrant is to struggle in life with instability, but this also means embracing the realities of said struggle to grow bold, fearless and free.
$3,000.00
Acrylics, Spray Paint and Markers on Recycled Wood Board
22x28"
Created in my studio in Toronto, Canada. Located in the 401 Richmond building.
Part of the IMMI Series.
This is the fella' who started it all. That person in your family who was the first to get out of the nest to find new frontiers. The First IMMI. In my family's case it was my mother, and soon many followed until there's only a couple left back in Medellín.
To say that this person is strong and fearless is an understatement. The things they endured will not be experienced by any other members of his family, he will not allow that. When they say that pioneers carry arrows on their back, they are right, the scars are there.
So, what's your hourly rate?
The word IMMI refers to Immigrants. When I started High School in New Jersey, my first days I noticed that some classmates called the ESL kids "the immis". I guess IMMI is cooler than immigrant. The aim of this series is to portray IMMIs in every stage of their journey abroad.
$7,000.00
Acrylics, Spray Paint and Markers on Canvas
36x48"
Created in my studio in Toronto, Canada. Located in the 401 Richmond building.
Part of the IMMI Series.
This guy made it. We finally figured out a way to earn his way out of instability. He knows he is still an Immi in some people's eyes but cares nothing for those thoughts. This guy is a big deal in his natal country and people love it when he goes to visit. The Unlimited Immi is someone who learned the hard lessons life threw at him and used them to his advantage. You have probably met this Immi and a tons of famous people who are Unlimited Immis. They knew hard work and vision go hand in hand.
So, what's your hourly rate?
The word IMMI refers to Immigrants. When I started High School in New Jersey, my first days I noticed that some classmates called the ESL kids "the immis". I guess IMMI is cooler than immigrant. The aim of this series is to portray IMMIs in every stage of their journey abroad.
$4,000.00
Acrylics, Spray Paint and Markers on Recycled Wood Board
31x31"
Created in my studio in Toronto, Canada. Located in the 401 Richmond building.
Part of the IMMI Series.
What goes around comes around, and with this painting I took it in literal form. The Minimum Wage Immi knows and understands that everyone has a starting point. In our case it could be our second or third starting point as an immigrant. Instability does not scare us. We are more afraid of filing an immigration application than working a 13 hour shift in the cold. Be nice to your local immigrants, one day you could be one.
So, what's your hourly rate?
The word IMMI refers to Immigrants. When I started High School in New Jersey, my first days I noticed that some classmates called the ESL kids "the immis". I guess IMMI is cooler than immigrant. The aim of this series is to portray IMMIs in every stage of their journey abroad.
$7,000.00
Acrylics, Spray Paint and Markers on Canvas
36x48"
Created in my studio in Toronto, Canada. Located in the 401 Richmond building.
Part of the IMMI Series.
To understand one can always be better is a remarkable feat every one of us has the opportunity to experience. Some choose to find the limits of greatness and some are comfortable in the situation they currently are. No judgement here, just assessment.
The $20 per hour IMMI knows minimum wage, he's seen how low it can get. However, he's also seen opportunity, progress, growth. His mind is a bit turbulent but his will is strong. $20 per hour seems low but it's a step above the minimum and that matters to him. He understand the game now and knows that it is up to him to keep on increasing that number.
So, what's your hourly rate?
The word IMMI refers to Immigrants. When I started High School in New Jersey, my first days I noticed that some classmates called the ESL kids "the immis". I guess IMMI is cooler than immigrant. The aim of this series is to portray IMMIs in every stage of their journey abroad.
$5,000.00
Acrylics, Spray Paint and Markers on Recycled Canvas
36x36"
Created in my studio in Toronto, Canada. Located in the 401 Richmond building.
Part of the IMMI Series.
In mentality or literally, the $16 per hour IMMI still represents the hood. Having a pay check that covers his expenses is enough to satisfy him, and saving is something rich people do, so why worry about it? The purpose of this painting is to convey the moods and emotions of a person who finds happiness in every moment, regardless of whether they shoot for greatness or not. Whether his way of life is right or wrong doesn't matter as long as he is happy. I dig that.
So, what's your hourly rate?
The word IMMI refers to Immigrants. When I started High School in New Jersey, my first days I noticed that some classmates called the ESL kids "the immis". I guess IMMI is cooler than immigrant. The aim of this series is to portray IMMIs in every stage of their journey abroad.
$7,000.00
Acrylics, Spray Paint and Markers on Canvas
36x48"
Created in my studio in Toronto, Canada. Located in the 401 Richmond building.
Part of the IMMI Series.
This fella' has the opportunity to live his life any way he can, and it can go both ways. This time he chose self-awareness and introspection and uses every tool at his disposal to keep true to himself. In his spare time, he thinks about what would happened if ego and fear ran his life. Then he looks around him and realizes he made the right choice, and the world is better for it.
The word IMMI refers to Immigrants. When I started High School in New Jersey, my first days I noticed that some classmates called the ESL kids "the immis". I guess IMMI is cooler than immigrant. The aim of this series is to portray IMMIs in every stage of their journey abroad.
$7,000.00
Acrylics, Spray Paint and Markers on Canvas
36x48"
Created in my studio in Toronto, Canada. Located in the 401 Richmond building.
Part of the IMMI Series.
The $40/hr IMMI got it going on. He feeling good about himself and enjoys a sense of freedom he desired for a long time. Hundred dollar shopping sprees, he got that.
So, what's your hourly rate?
$5,000.00
Acrylics, Markers and Spray Paint on Recycled Silkscreen
30x40"
Created in my studio in Toronto, Canada. Located in the 401 Richmond building.
This is me trying to break through mental blockages like Jack Nicholson. Fear has no place in my heart and mind. I felt a bit overwhelmed painting this piece. Felt like I was standing in the eye of a hurricane with my arms up in the air. Scary but liberating.
Works like these are my favourite as they are packed with love, freedom, balance and a spooky sense of peace. The transparency of the silk makes the paint float on the wall, definitely a powerful piece.
$5,000.00
Acrylics, Markers and Spray Paint on Recycled Silkscreen
37.50x45.50"
Created in my studio in Toronto, Canada. Located in the 401 Richmond building.
This painting was a delight to paint. My mind was at ease knowing things under my control are taking care of and the connections I am making in this present moment are the correct ones. Life is good. Anything that does not line up to be won't be. There is no rush, just forward movement.
Meditate. Walk. Breathe. Smile.
Keep those butt cheeks moving forward.
$5,000.00
Acrylics, Markers and Spray Paint on Recycled Transparent Screen Printing Silk
37.50x45.50"
Created in my studio in Toronto, Canada. Located in the 401 Richmond building.
There is a sense of imbalance in my mind lately and the only way I know how to deal with this is by painting. Throwing paint on any surface I can find in an attempt to let the emotions run free and continue their journey. This piece is full of details and hidden gestures, sort of like screaming on a pillow. After completion, there was a sense of peace and liberation. I am very happy with the result.
$6,000.00
Acrylics, Spray Paint and Markers on Recycled Canvas
36x36"
Created in my studio in Toronto, Canada. Located in the 401 Richmond building.
To say this painting was created in a moment of overwhelming emotions is an understatement. Gladly I have a place where I can let the demons out, in La Oficina. Saturated is a mood, a feeling, a cry for help. I appreciate my friends and wife for listening to my crazy ideas and polishing the good ones.
If you are feeling saturated and need to talk, reach out to someone you trust. You are loved. You matter.
$6,000.00
Acrylics, Spray Paint and Markers on Recycled Canvas
30x40"
Created in my studio in Toronto, Canada. Located in the Parkdale Village neighborhood.
This will be one of the last pieces created at my home studio. I landed a sweet spot in one of the coolest art communities in Toronto, 401 Richmond.
Glow up. You are light.
No matter how dark the outlook, light comes from within to keep it in check.