GONZALO FUENMAYOR
Baranquilla, Colombia (b. 1977)
Gonzalo Fuenmayor's art is a fascinating blend of cultural influences and draws from his Hispanic heritage and North American experiences. Growing up in the vibrant Caribbean tapestry of Barranquilla, and now living and working in the United States, he weaves together the complexities of Caribbean identity.
Employing iconic imagery, such as the toucan, the flamingo, and the banana, Fuenmayor invites us to reflect on cultural representation and the narratives we weave around seemingly mundane objects. With a deft touch, he navigates the intersections of heritage, identity, and social dynamics, sparking thoughtful conversations while infusing his art with wit and charm.
“When I go back to Colombia I’m the ‘gringo’, but when I’m in the US I’m always struggling to fit in. Should I draw, paint, or act in a specific way to blend in? My way of dealing with this is to become very exotic or a hybrid. It’s between these two spaces I’ve been negotiating my own identity. And I use my own sense of being to ask questions in my art.” Gonzalo Fuenmayor.
