Paintings by Patricia Araujo

A B O U T

ARTIST BIO
ARTIST STATEMENT
PRESS
RESUME

Patricia Araujo was born in Miami, Fl, the daughter of Colombian parents. Patricia grew up in Bogota, Colombia, and lived there until the age of 19. Patricia began drawing at a very young age, and always intrigued by architecture and form. Her father worked as an architect at Walt Disney, and during his last years he assisted with the development of Epcot Center. After completing High School in Bogota, Patricia moved to San Francisco in 1991. She studied Architecture at the College of San Mateo, followed by completing her first B.F.A in Painting and Photography in 1997 at Notre Dame de Namur University. While studying at Notre Dame de Namur, Patricia worked closely with Terry St. John - second generation Northern California painter influenced by the 1960's Bay Area Figurative movement. Patricia received her second B.F.A in Painting in 2005 from the San Francisco Art Institute. During her years at the Art Institute, Patricia continued to further her education with the painting teachings of Jeremy Morgan.

Patricia's diligence, intuition and intellectual capacity have all fused into a corpus of work which is inventive, original and well realized. Patricia has a particular sensitivity to the forms and spaces of architecture and produces works relating to those forms which function as physical embodiments of philosophical and psychological conditions. Her interest in researching the urban landscape continues to grow, addressing the evolution and decay within a city. Patricia continues to deepen her conceptual themes on architecture, place and change in the urban landscape.

Patricia has been exhibiting in solo and group shows in San Francisco since 1998. She lives and works in the San Francisco Bay Area.

ARTIST STATEMENT

It is through two main routes that I explore notions which fascinate me, the singular iconic structure coupled with multiple environmental abstractions. My work explores a main theme: urbanscapes, which are both factual accounts and at the same time fictionalized. I am primarily involved with the study of forms and the study of facades. In addition, I move beyond the surface into the supporting structure, in which are found Western notions of harmonies, proportion, and the mathematical aesthetics that are the foundations of this expression. Amongst those aspects of the language of architecture that appeal to me is the arch and the dome. Within architecture is both the mystery and utility of geometry. Architecture symbolizes beyond the structure alone. The aesthetics and socio-political possibilities of temples, cathedrals, theatres, municipal buildings, are celebrated structures which recognize the role of social and ritual. In the secular world too, there are also examples of architectural structures which amplify, magnify and otherwise celebrate both power and strength - an arena where visions and beliefs and ideologies are metamorphosed into the concrete. As an artist, my foundation is with both the real and the abstract, and the connotations of the structures that are our cities. Aspects of time, infinity, eternity, all form part of my inquiry.

I devoted time to San Francisco's SOMA district as I lived for 10 years in the booming heart of this re-developing area. I have been lucky to witness, paint and record the birth of San Francisco's latest neighborhood, yet not limited to this fine city. My recent works relate to SOMA, abandoned buildings, buildings undergoing renovation, and new visions within the urban landscape. In my cityscapes, I sense the presence of the silent stage uninterrupted by inhabitants. There is both silence and suspension, even in the light there is a sense of being suspended between the certainty of day and the doubt at night. I am motivated by how my inspiration is mirrored in the presence of sublime spaces. The profound or spectacular can reside within the humble, not only the glamorous or veneered. It is both. Notions of timelessness, ideas and ideals, the ordinary and the fantastic are encountered in the imaginative moments. The everyday gets transformed by attention, by paying attention and through the practice of painting. I endeavor to poetize the ordinary and to turn acts of the imagination into facts of the imagination in the hope that I give account of the innate potential for mystery and the otherwise invisibility born of familiarity.

PRESS

Parker, Wilma, "Architecture for Bloomingdales", BeyondChron.org, September 6th, 2006

RESUME

BACKGROUND

Born: Miami, Fl, 1972.
Lives and works in San Francisco, CA

EDUCATION

2005
B.F.A in Painting, San Francisco Art Institute

1997
B.F.A in Painting and Photography, Notre Dame de Namur University

1991-94
Architecture Studies, College of San Mateo

SOLO EXHIBITIONS

2006-2008:
"The Old Emporium", Westfield San Francisco Shopping Centre, San Francisco.

2006:
"RECONSTRUCTING SOMA", DA Arts, San Francisco, CA

2004:
"Perfume", SOMA Gallery, San Francisco, CA
"New Paintings", SOMA Gallery, San Francisco, CA

2002:
"Roger Gordon for District Six", Roger Gordon's Headquarters' Office @ 7th and Mission Streets,
San Francisco, CA

SELECTED GROUP EXHIBITIONS

2008:
"Photography and Art Show", MoMo Lounge, Sacramento, CA

2007:
"New Faces", HANG ART, San Francisco, CA

2006:
Bonfire Communications "Art for Healing", 577 Second Street, San Francisco, CA
Tehama Street Project, Open House, 776 Tehama Street, San Francisco, CA

2005:
Bonfire Communications "Holiday Party", 577 Second Street, San Francisco, CA
"Ghost Town", AR+SPACE Gallery, San Francisco, CA
"PAPER!AWESOME!", Pigman Gallery, San Francisco, CA
"Senior Show 2005", Walter & McBean Gallery, San Francisco Art Institute
"Spring Show", San Francisco Art Institute, San Francisco, CA
"First Art Salon", @ private collector's home, Jerry Shapiro, Sausalito, CA
"EZLUV Launch and Benefit Opening", 150 Folsom, San Francisco, CA
"Effection: Retrospection", Terra Gallery, San Francisco, CA
"Five", Double Punch Gallery, San Francisco, CA

2004:
"CCA Literary Journal Inauguration: Eleven-eleven", @ Den, San Francisco, CA
"Effection - Boundaries: A Show to Benefit Upward Bound", Terra Gallery, San Francisco, CA
Nguyen Dance Company, "First Annual Fundraiser Silent Auction", SWIG, San Francisco, CA

2003:
"Spring Show", San Francisco Art Institute, San Francisco, CA
"Expressions West", Coos Art Museum, Coos Bay, OR

2002:
"A New Generation", Mission Cultural Center for Latino Arts,San Francisco, CA
"Bevan Dufty for District 8", Dolores Street Gallery, San Francisco, CA
"District Six Fundraising Party", Wilhelmina Cruz Fine Art, San Francisco, CA
"Solo Mujeres", Mission Cultural Center for Latino Arts, San Francisco, CA

2001:
"Vivir es un Placer", Collaborative mural at the San Francisco Art Institute and at Clarion Alley,
(Mission District), San Francisco, CA
"5th Festival of Colombia", Fort Mason, San Francisco, CA
"Images of Filoli", Filoli, Woodside, CA
"Holiday Party", Wilhelmina Cruz Fine Art, San Francisco, CA

2000:
"Latinoamericano, Part II", Mission Cultural Center for Latino Arts,San Francisco, CA
"Solo Mujeres", Mission Cultural Center for Latino Arts, San Francisco, CA
"Breast Cancer Benefit", The Peacock Lounge, San Francisco, CA

1999:
"Solo Mujeres", Mission Cultural Center for Latino Arts, San Francisco, CA

1998:
"260 Clara Street, New Lofts Open House", San Francisco, CA
"Winter Show", The Wiegand Gallery, Belmont, CA

1997:
"Winter Show", The Wiegand Gallery, Belmont, CA

PRIVATE COLLECTORS

Christopher and Mireya Ahl, Arlington, VA
Joaquin Donoso, Bogota, Colombia
Fernando Lombana, Bogota, Colombia
Ray Berendt, Fairfax, CA
Charlotte and Robert Blasier, El Dorado Hills, CA
Monica Cardanini-Callahan, San Francisco, CA
Brian Egg, San Francisco, CA
Susan Engle, Los Angeles, CA
Frances and Andrew Gannon, London, England
Eamonn Herlihy, San Francisco, CA
Kimberly Johansson , San Francisco, CA
John Middle, Oakland, CA
The Marquess of Bath, Longleat House, Wiltshire, England
Maria McLaughlin, San Francisco, CA
Gillian Musel, London, England
Mr. and Mrs. Peter de Pavloff, San Francisco, CA
Ondina and Ethan Rosch, NYC
Audrey Potts, San Francisco
Robert Ruggeri, San Francisco, CA
Jerry Shapiro, Sausalito, CA
Karen Shapiro and David Anthopoulus, San Gabriel, CA
Leslie and Mike Smith, San Francisco, CA
Kathleen Stirling, San Francisco, CA
Geoffrey Teeter, San Francisco, CA
Analisa Thompson, Oakland, CA
Patricia Valencia, Larkspur, CA
Beth Waldman-Keenan, San Francisco, CA
Owen Welch, San Francisco, CA

DONATIONS

Bonfire Communications, "Art for Healing"
Bonfire Communications, 577 Second Street, San Francisco, CA
Silent Auction: "Benefit to support Tsunami relief and sustainable living"
Drawing exhibited: Cupulas II
Nguyen Dance Company, "First Annual Fundraiser Silent Auction", SWIG, San Francisco, CA, 2004.
Painting donated: Chambord at Night.

SPECIAL PROJECTS

2006:
"The Old Emporium", Westfield San Francisco Shopping Centre, San Francisco, CA. (2006 - 2008).
A two year exhibition presenting paintings of San Francisco's Old Emporium building's 2004 renovation which involved the elevation of its rotunda 60 feet off the original ground level. "While the Old Emporium is being converted into the new West Coast Westfield San Francisco Shopping Centre in September 2006, the rotunda still remains inside the building as it has for the last 100 years."
"RECONSTRUCTING SOMA", DA Arts, 135 Sixth Street, San Francisco, CA
In-charge of gallery installation and exhibition during month of September. Curator for Solo Show.
"This exhibition is held at DA Arts, the former District Attorney's Office, which has been transformed into an art gallery by the Tenderloin Housing Clinic". Sponsored by BeyondChron.org

2005:
"First Art Salon", at private collector's home, Jerry Shapiro, in Sausalito, CA.
Exhibited paintings related to Copper Series and presented video, Patricia's Solo Show and Walk Through
@ SOMA Gallery. Artist as presenter and lectured to a group of docents from SFMOMA and San Francisco Fine Art Museums, (FAMSF). March 2005

2004:
SOMA Gallery, San Francisco, CA
Participated in presenting two Solo Shows, "New Paintings" and "Perfume".
Curator for the two Solo Exhibits. In charge of organizing gallery space for 4 months.

2003:
Painting expedition to Longleat, England. March 2003
Painted imagery derived from the Marquess of Bath, rooftop of Longleat House.

2002:
"Roger Gordon for District Six", @ Roger Gordon's Headquarters' Office,
7th and Mission Streets, San Francisco, CA.
Participated for Fundraiser Party for Roger Gordon campaign. Exhibited drawings, Sixth Street Series.

2001:
"Vivir es un Placer", San Francisco Art Institute, San Francisco, CA.
Collaborative Mural with 4 San Francisco Art Institute students and visiting Artist-in-Residence,
Kristin Calabrese. November 2001.
"Vivir es un Placer" @ Clarion Alley,(Mission District), San Francisco, CA.
Collaborative Mural with 4 San Francisco Art Institute students and visiting Artist-in-Residence,
Kristin Calabrese. December 2001-January 2002.
Painting expedition to Longleat, England. October-November 2001.
Painted imagery derived from the Marquess of Bath, rooftop of Longleat House.

1999:
Vorpal Gallery, San Francisco, CA.
Assisted gallery director and staff with office administration for contemporary fine art gallery.
Hosted gallery openings and special events.

1998:
Plein Air Painting with Bay Area Figurative Painter, Terry St. John, and fellow students from Notre Dame de Namur University. Plein Air Painting in the San Francisco Bay Area, Summer of '98, '97.
Teacher's Assistant at Clara Street Studio School, San Francisco, CA., 1998-2002.
Assisted Fine Art Painter and teacher, Wilma Parker, during Saturdays girls' art school.
Attended students with completion of projects.

1997:
Internship: Administration / Installations Assistant,
at Museum West Fine Art & Framing / J.J. Brookings Gallery, San Francisco, CA.
Worked in sales of paintings, prints, sculpture and frame moldings. Assisted curator with installation exhibits.
Apprentice for Fine Art Painter, Wilma Parker, San Francisco, CA., 1997-2000.
Organized and prepared paintings for distribution. Built crates for shipping and framing of work.
Collaborated with artist in photo realistic air brush painting.

ARCHIVE

The National Museum of Women in the Arts, Archive on Women Artists, Washington, D.C

PUBLICATIONS

SOMA SEEN, Drawings and Paintings by Patricia Araujo , Patricia Araujo, August, 2008.
Architecture for Bloomingdales - Patricia Araujo at DA Arts
Review by Wilma Parker, dated September 7th, 2006, @ Beyondchron.org
Eleven-eleven, CCA Literary Arts Journal, Volume I, Spring 2004,
pg. 1-2: Works published: Under Construction, (painting), and Under Construction, Part III, (drawing)
California College of the Arts, 2004, San Francisco, CA.

VIDEO

Patricia Araujo: Patricia's Solo Show and Walk Through @ SOMA Gallery, March 2004, Shapiro Collection