Bernardo Vallerino
ARTIST BIO
Bernardo is a Colombian-American mix media sculptor and installation artist interested in geopolitical issues of violence and human suffering. His inspiration comes from observations of the hypocrisy that exists between the rhetoric of human life value and the violent behavior of humanity.
With his artworks he strives to engage his audience visually but also morally and philosophically. In order to present such sobering topics in an approachable manner he borrows from his child-acquired interest of insects and entomology. He uses insects as an inspirational source for many of the formal elements in his work and in many instances a vehicle to express metaphors. His sculptures and installation are created with the intent to have a micro - macro tension where the viewer’s immersion experience is driven by elements that require up-close investigation. At either distance, the work is clean and precise mirroring his deep respect for the victims of the topics he addresses. Vallarino, a NALAC fellow, has an outstanding record of solo, juried and group exhibitions as well as local and international awards. He graduated with a BFA in sculpture from Texas Christian University, an MFA in the same field from Texas Woman’s University and is the current coordinator of Fort Worth Art Collective and board member of Art Room.
ARTIST STATEMENT
In my work I explore themes of human suffering, violence, abuse of power, politics, control and hypocrisy. These topics are all part of a larger social commentary regarding the disposable manner in which human life is treated. Under many conditions people are seen and treated as disposable, expendable or despised. I describe this disregard for human life by overlaying the violence in the world with the thoughtless manner of killing insects. Humans during times of social unrest and armed conflicts are seen through the same vernacular of insects - soulless, emotionless, drone-like creatures that are invasive and harbor malevolent intentions of harm. In addition to this violent metaphorical association, insects and entomology also inspire elements of anonymity, plurality, scale and identification. With the somber content of my work, I intend to pay tribute to the victims as well as to bring awareness to their suffering.
CURRICULUM VITAE
Education
Texas Woman’s University – May, 2016 Masters of Fine Arts, Sculpture
Texas Christian University - Bachelor of Fine Arts, Sculpture.
Teaching Experience
2016 Graduate Teaching Assistant - instructor of Record, 3D Design ART1213, TWU - Denton
2015 Guest Instructor, The Modern Fort Worth Art Museum “Drawing from the collection” - Fort Worth
2014 Graduate Teaching Assistant - instructor of Record, 3D Design ART1213, TWU - Denton
Guest Instructor, The Modern Fort Worth Art Museum “Drawing from the collection” - Fort Worth
Guest Lecturer, 2014 Student Creative Arts & Research Symposium, TWU - Denton
2009-16 K-12 certified Art / Spanish teacher, FWISD - Fort Worth, TX
Other Professional Activities
2016 Sculpture Graduate Lab Assistant. TWU - Denton, TX
2015 Workshop – “Mold making” Holder Dane Gallery - Grapevine TX
Sculpture Graduate Lab Assistant. TWU - Denton, TX
Juror FWISD Annual Art Show. Fort Worth TX
Participant, Sculpture Symposium. Atomic Iron Commission iron pour, Midwestern University – Wichita Falls, TX
2014 Participant, Sculpture Symposium. Atomic Iron Commission iron pour, Texas Tech University – Lubbock, TX
2013 Sculpture Graduate Lab Assistant. TWU - Denton, TX
2012-16 Juror PSIA - Fort Worth TX
2011-15 Juror TAEA/ VASE, Region 11 - Fort Worth, TX
Solo Exhibitions
2016 "Pedacitos de Paz," Ro2 Art Gallery - Dallas, TX
“UN-HUMAN,” Fort Worth Community Arts Center – Fort Worth, TX
“Between Dying and Death”, Artes de la Rosa Gallery - Fort Worth, TX
2015 “Fallen Comrades” Installation, 010 Gallery Student Center TWU - Denton, TX
2014 “Insignificant Pests” Installation, 010 Gallery Student Center TWU - Denton, TX
Selected Juried Exhibitions
2017
Aesthetica Art Prize Exhibition, York Art Gallery, York England.
“4th Annual Artspace 111 Regional Juried Exhibition” Artspace 111 gallery– Fort Worth, TX
“A Shift of the Mind’s Eye”, ART 7 Gallery – Fort Worth, TX
2016
“3rd Annual Artspace 111 Regional Juried Exhibition” Artspace 111 gallery
“ The Best of the Biennial” FortWorth Community Arts Center - FortWorth
“The John Weinkein Juried Student Exhibition” TWU – Denton TX
“The Way I see it: Real Life!” W7 Gallery – Fort Worth, TX
2015
“Lucky Seven” Texas Woman’s University fine arts Gallery – Denton, TX
Biennial 600, Amarillo Museum of Art – Amarillo, TX
“It’s Complicated” ART7 Crockett Community Gallery – Fort Worth, TX
“Curvature” ART7 Crockett Community Gallery – Fort Worth, TX
“I am, You are” ART7 Crockett Community Gallery – Fort Worth, TX
‘Variable Array’ TWU Graduate Student Exhibition, CAC – Fort Worth TX
2014
“The John Weinkein Juried Student Exhibition” TWU – Denton TX
“The Dishman Art museum and C.A.M.E.O. Presents Emerging Artists 2014” Dishman
Art Museum and Gallery Lamar University – Beaumont, TX
“M.A.C.H.I.N.E: Consciousness” Gallery West University of Texas in Arlington, Arlington TX
“Vortman’s Student art competition” Texas Woman’s University Fine Arts Gallery – Denton, TX
“Selected Works Texas Woman’s University Graduate Student Exhibition” 500X Gallery – Dallas, TX
2013
“Lucky Seven” Texas Woman’s University fine arts Gallery – Denton, TX
“Fort Worth Community Arts Center 10 Invitational Exhibition” Fort Worth Cultural Arts
Center gallery - Fort Worth, TX
“500X EXPO 2011” 500X gallery - Dallas, TX
Group Exhibitions
2017
This is the Fort, Fort Works Arts Gallery, Fort Worth TX
2016
Fort Worth Art Collective “Spring gallery night 2016” FWCAC – Fort Worth, TX
“Prox.y” The Grackel Gallery – Fort Worth, TX
2015
Fort Worth Art Collective “Fall gallery night 2015”, “pop - up” gallery Botanical Research Institute of Texas – Fort Worth, TX
Fort Worth Art Collective “Spring Show 2015”, “pop-up” gallery W7 Complex – Fort Worth, TX
Fort Worth Art Collective “W7 Gallery Inauguration” W7 gallery – Fort Worth, TX
Fort Worth Art Collective “Race Street 116”, “pop up” gallery – Fort Worth, TX
2013
“Hot n’ Sweaty ” 500X Gallery – Dallas, TX
“From A-Z” Texas Woman’s University fine arts Gallery – TWU Denton, TX
Fort Worth Art Collective “Race Street 108”, “pop up” gallery – Fort Worth, TX
2012
Fort Worth Art Collective “Art n’ Form”, “pop up” gallery – Fort Worth, TX
Awards
2017
Aesthetica Art Prize Longlist Artist
2016
Peripheral Visions Arts Fellowship Recipient and Foundations Prize Winner.
FTW Arts Dealers Association Award for Excellence and Admirable Art.
2015
John Waineken Juried Show 2nd Place Award
School Of fine Arts Scholarship Recipient
2014
Kobler Visual Arts Funds Scholarship recipient
2013
Catherine Cloud Edwards Scholarship recipient
2006-07
“The TCU Honor Society of Artist and Designers”
2005-06
“The TCU Honor Society of Artist and Designers”
Publications
2017
Future Now. 100 Contemporary Artists From the Aesthetica Art Prize. Aesthetica Art Prize 2017. Aesthetica Magazine LTD, 2017
2016
Christopher Blay, untitled The Fort Worth Weekly’s Art Blog. April 8, 2016.
http://www.fwweekly.com/2016/04/08/untiteled-the-fort-worth-weelys-art-blog-2
Heather Hines, TWU Student Displays Art in Fort Worth, The Lasso, March 2, 2016.
Vol 102 No.16
2014
Fort Worth Open Studio – Fort Worth, TX
Art & Seek “Top Pick” website / NPR - KERA broadcast Oct.15 “Insignificant Pests”
Student Creative Arts & Research Symposium Catalog, TWU - Denton, TX
2012-13
“Donna Decorates Dallas” HGTV, season 1 & 2 featured artist and design assistant.
Presentations
2016
Artist Talk, Ro2 Gallery – Dallas, TX
Keynote Speaker, Spirit Awards. – Denton TX
Artist Talk,”Artes de la Rosa Gallery - Fort Worth, TX
2015
Participant, 2015 Student Creative Arts & Research Symposium, Texas Woman’s University - Denton, TX
2014
Guest Lecturer, 2014 Student Creative Arts & Research Symposium, Texas Woman’s University - Denton, TX
Other Related Experience
2015
Participant, Sculpture Symposium, Atomic Iron Commission iron pour, Texas Tech University – Beaumont, TX
Guest Instructor, The Modern Fort Worth Art Museum “Drawing from the collection” - Fort Worth, TX
2014
Graduate Assistant instructor of Record, 3D Design ART1213, Texas Woman’s University - Denton, TX.
Guest Instructor, The Modern Fort Worth Art Museum “Drawing from the collection” - Fort Worth, TX
Participant, Sculpture Symposium, Atomic Iron Commission iron pour, Midwestern University – Wichita Falls, TX
2013
Graduate Assistant sculpture lab monitor. Texas Woman’s University - Denton, TX
Community Involvement
2016 Texas Sculptor Group member
2015-16 TAC member
2014-16 Parliamentarian – TWU Graduate Student Council
2013 -16 Board member – Fairness Fort Worth, Fort Worth TX
2012-16 Vice President – LGBTQ Saves, Fort Worth TX
2001-16 Board member –Q- cinema, Fort Worth TX
Bernardo is a Colombian-American mix media sculptor and installation artist interested in geopolitical issues of violence and human suffering. His inspiration comes from observations of the hypocrisy that exists between the rhetoric of human life value and the violent behavior of humanity.
With his artworks he strives to engage his audience visually but also morally and philosophically. In order to present such sobering topics in an approachable manner he borrows from his child-acquired interest of insects and entomology. He uses insects as an inspirational source for many of the formal elements in his work and in many instances a vehicle to express metaphors. His sculptures and installation are created with the intent to have a micro - macro tension where the viewer’s immersion experience is driven by elements that require up-close investigation. At either distance, the work is clean and precise mirroring his deep respect for the victims of the topics he addresses. Vallarino, a NALAC fellow, has an outstanding record of solo, juried and group exhibitions as well as local and international awards. He graduated with a BFA in sculpture from Texas Christian University, an MFA in the same field from Texas Woman’s University and is the current coordinator of Fort Worth Art Collective and board member of Art Room.
ARTIST STATEMENT
In my work I explore themes of human suffering, violence, abuse of power, politics, control and hypocrisy. These topics are all part of a larger social commentary regarding the disposable manner in which human life is treated. Under many conditions people are seen and treated as disposable, expendable or despised. I describe this disregard for human life by overlaying the violence in the world with the thoughtless manner of killing insects. Humans during times of social unrest and armed conflicts are seen through the same vernacular of insects - soulless, emotionless, drone-like creatures that are invasive and harbor malevolent intentions of harm. In addition to this violent metaphorical association, insects and entomology also inspire elements of anonymity, plurality, scale and identification. With the somber content of my work, I intend to pay tribute to the victims as well as to bring awareness to their suffering.
CURRICULUM VITAE
Education
Texas Woman’s University – May, 2016 Masters of Fine Arts, Sculpture
Texas Christian University - Bachelor of Fine Arts, Sculpture.
Teaching Experience
2016 Graduate Teaching Assistant - instructor of Record, 3D Design ART1213, TWU - Denton
2015 Guest Instructor, The Modern Fort Worth Art Museum “Drawing from the collection” - Fort Worth
2014 Graduate Teaching Assistant - instructor of Record, 3D Design ART1213, TWU - Denton
Guest Instructor, The Modern Fort Worth Art Museum “Drawing from the collection” - Fort Worth
Guest Lecturer, 2014 Student Creative Arts & Research Symposium, TWU - Denton
2009-16 K-12 certified Art / Spanish teacher, FWISD - Fort Worth, TX
Other Professional Activities
2016 Sculpture Graduate Lab Assistant. TWU - Denton, TX
2015 Workshop – “Mold making” Holder Dane Gallery - Grapevine TX
Sculpture Graduate Lab Assistant. TWU - Denton, TX
Juror FWISD Annual Art Show. Fort Worth TX
Participant, Sculpture Symposium. Atomic Iron Commission iron pour, Midwestern University – Wichita Falls, TX
2014 Participant, Sculpture Symposium. Atomic Iron Commission iron pour, Texas Tech University – Lubbock, TX
2013 Sculpture Graduate Lab Assistant. TWU - Denton, TX
2012-16 Juror PSIA - Fort Worth TX
2011-15 Juror TAEA/ VASE, Region 11 - Fort Worth, TX
Solo Exhibitions
2016 "Pedacitos de Paz," Ro2 Art Gallery - Dallas, TX
“UN-HUMAN,” Fort Worth Community Arts Center – Fort Worth, TX
“Between Dying and Death”, Artes de la Rosa Gallery - Fort Worth, TX
2015 “Fallen Comrades” Installation, 010 Gallery Student Center TWU - Denton, TX
2014 “Insignificant Pests” Installation, 010 Gallery Student Center TWU - Denton, TX
Selected Juried Exhibitions
2017
Aesthetica Art Prize Exhibition, York Art Gallery, York England.
“4th Annual Artspace 111 Regional Juried Exhibition” Artspace 111 gallery– Fort Worth, TX
“A Shift of the Mind’s Eye”, ART 7 Gallery – Fort Worth, TX
2016
“3rd Annual Artspace 111 Regional Juried Exhibition” Artspace 111 gallery
“ The Best of the Biennial” FortWorth Community Arts Center - FortWorth
“The John Weinkein Juried Student Exhibition” TWU – Denton TX
“The Way I see it: Real Life!” W7 Gallery – Fort Worth, TX
2015
“Lucky Seven” Texas Woman’s University fine arts Gallery – Denton, TX
Biennial 600, Amarillo Museum of Art – Amarillo, TX
“It’s Complicated” ART7 Crockett Community Gallery – Fort Worth, TX
“Curvature” ART7 Crockett Community Gallery – Fort Worth, TX
“I am, You are” ART7 Crockett Community Gallery – Fort Worth, TX
‘Variable Array’ TWU Graduate Student Exhibition, CAC – Fort Worth TX
2014
“The John Weinkein Juried Student Exhibition” TWU – Denton TX
“The Dishman Art museum and C.A.M.E.O. Presents Emerging Artists 2014” Dishman
Art Museum and Gallery Lamar University – Beaumont, TX
“M.A.C.H.I.N.E: Consciousness” Gallery West University of Texas in Arlington, Arlington TX
“Vortman’s Student art competition” Texas Woman’s University Fine Arts Gallery – Denton, TX
“Selected Works Texas Woman’s University Graduate Student Exhibition” 500X Gallery – Dallas, TX
2013
“Lucky Seven” Texas Woman’s University fine arts Gallery – Denton, TX
“Fort Worth Community Arts Center 10 Invitational Exhibition” Fort Worth Cultural Arts
Center gallery - Fort Worth, TX
“500X EXPO 2011” 500X gallery - Dallas, TX
Group Exhibitions
2017
This is the Fort, Fort Works Arts Gallery, Fort Worth TX
2016
Fort Worth Art Collective “Spring gallery night 2016” FWCAC – Fort Worth, TX
“Prox.y” The Grackel Gallery – Fort Worth, TX
2015
Fort Worth Art Collective “Fall gallery night 2015”, “pop - up” gallery Botanical Research Institute of Texas – Fort Worth, TX
Fort Worth Art Collective “Spring Show 2015”, “pop-up” gallery W7 Complex – Fort Worth, TX
Fort Worth Art Collective “W7 Gallery Inauguration” W7 gallery – Fort Worth, TX
Fort Worth Art Collective “Race Street 116”, “pop up” gallery – Fort Worth, TX
2013
“Hot n’ Sweaty ” 500X Gallery – Dallas, TX
“From A-Z” Texas Woman’s University fine arts Gallery – TWU Denton, TX
Fort Worth Art Collective “Race Street 108”, “pop up” gallery – Fort Worth, TX
2012
Fort Worth Art Collective “Art n’ Form”, “pop up” gallery – Fort Worth, TX
Awards
2017
Aesthetica Art Prize Longlist Artist
2016
Peripheral Visions Arts Fellowship Recipient and Foundations Prize Winner.
FTW Arts Dealers Association Award for Excellence and Admirable Art.
2015
John Waineken Juried Show 2nd Place Award
School Of fine Arts Scholarship Recipient
2014
Kobler Visual Arts Funds Scholarship recipient
2013
Catherine Cloud Edwards Scholarship recipient
2006-07
“The TCU Honor Society of Artist and Designers”
2005-06
“The TCU Honor Society of Artist and Designers”
Publications
2017
Future Now. 100 Contemporary Artists From the Aesthetica Art Prize. Aesthetica Art Prize 2017. Aesthetica Magazine LTD, 2017
2016
Christopher Blay, untitled The Fort Worth Weekly’s Art Blog. April 8, 2016.
http://www.fwweekly.com/2016/04/08/untiteled-the-fort-worth-weelys-art-blog-2
Heather Hines, TWU Student Displays Art in Fort Worth, The Lasso, March 2, 2016.
Vol 102 No.16
2014
Fort Worth Open Studio – Fort Worth, TX
Art & Seek “Top Pick” website / NPR - KERA broadcast Oct.15 “Insignificant Pests”
Student Creative Arts & Research Symposium Catalog, TWU - Denton, TX
2012-13
“Donna Decorates Dallas” HGTV, season 1 & 2 featured artist and design assistant.
Presentations
2016
Artist Talk, Ro2 Gallery – Dallas, TX
Keynote Speaker, Spirit Awards. – Denton TX
Artist Talk,”Artes de la Rosa Gallery - Fort Worth, TX
2015
Participant, 2015 Student Creative Arts & Research Symposium, Texas Woman’s University - Denton, TX
2014
Guest Lecturer, 2014 Student Creative Arts & Research Symposium, Texas Woman’s University - Denton, TX
Other Related Experience
2015
Participant, Sculpture Symposium, Atomic Iron Commission iron pour, Texas Tech University – Beaumont, TX
Guest Instructor, The Modern Fort Worth Art Museum “Drawing from the collection” - Fort Worth, TX
2014
Graduate Assistant instructor of Record, 3D Design ART1213, Texas Woman’s University - Denton, TX.
Guest Instructor, The Modern Fort Worth Art Museum “Drawing from the collection” - Fort Worth, TX
Participant, Sculpture Symposium, Atomic Iron Commission iron pour, Midwestern University – Wichita Falls, TX
2013
Graduate Assistant sculpture lab monitor. Texas Woman’s University - Denton, TX
Community Involvement
2016 Texas Sculptor Group member
2015-16 TAC member
2014-16 Parliamentarian – TWU Graduate Student Council
2013 -16 Board member – Fairness Fort Worth, Fort Worth TX
2012-16 Vice President – LGBTQ Saves, Fort Worth TX
2001-16 Board member –Q- cinema, Fort Worth TX
