Esteban Patino
Artist
Artist Statement
My work involves exploring the multitudes of language creation and perception. Spanning sculpture, collage, and painting, I investigate the transmission, reception, and creation of arbitrary forms and semiotics that permeate my work. In order to consider these questions I created a system of symbols that are based on 6 characters, each of which rotate on their own axis 4 times to make a total of 24 characters. With these shapes—which are an alphabet that creates the illusion of language—I play with word structures by creating text based pieces , such as speech bubbles, palindromes and metaphors to represent how we understand written and visual language.
Aesthetically, each iteration of my language study is distinct: my sculptures are systems of repetition , seeking symbolic approximation to atemporality and the possibility of universal shapes; my collages are humanoid bricolages, amorphous inquisitive monsters that portray the complexities of time and human existence; my paintings are deeply intuitive forms that awaken on the canvas, sometimes producing a sort of mythical beings or entities they aim to bring into existence the representation of timeless activities and timeless interactions.
However distinct, these styles are deeply in concert with one another—forming my praxis and pushing to me (re)consider the multifarious nature of words as symbols with infinite idiosyncratic interpretations as well as the human mark in our landscape .
Exhibitions
2024
Meaning-Making
Spalding Nix Gallery , Atlanta .
2023
Landwehrkanal / MOLT /Berlin
Open studios ,
GLOGAUAIR , Berlin . Germany
THOROUGHFARE , Spalding Nix Gallery , Atlanta , USA
Artist in Residence , Georgia College/Leland gallery
Milledgeville ,GA, USA
Emerging National XI , Macon Museum of Arts and Sciences
Macon , GA , USA
2022
DAS VOLK
Freemarket gallery , Atlanta GA
Gathered : Georgia Artists selecting Georgia Artists
MOCA GA / Atlanta GA
2021
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Re: Play / The Bascom Center for the visual Arts / Highlands, North Carolina, September-December
2020
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The elusive divide / Hambidge center/ Atlanta GA
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Geoforms / Swan Coach House / Atlanta, GA
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Celebrating Georgia Artists of Hispanic/Latinx origin / MOCA GA / Atlanta, GA
2019
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The odds are good , but the goods are odd ( solo exhibition) Sandler Hudson gallery / Atlanta GA
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Fine Art Acquisition Program/ Fulton County / Atlanta, GA
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Artintheatl / Hope Cohn Projects / Hartsfield Jackson Atlanta International Airport
2018
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Till the Lights Go Out / November 15th/ Hathaway gallery / Atlanta, GA
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Beyond Words / February 22 - April 6 / Swan Coach House / Atlanta, GA
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Nuevolution Latinos in the South / December 2017 – December 2018 / Atlanta History Center / Atlanta, GA
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Shadow As Witness / March 17, 2018 / Los Angeles, CA
2017
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Black | White | Red (solo show) / June 2 – July 21, 2017 / Westobou gallery / Augusta, GA
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Racecar / June 3– July 30, 2017 / Zuckerman museum / Kennesaw, GA
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The Game Show / August 12 – October 7, 2017 | Lyndon House Gallery / Athens, GA
2016
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(A)ROUND / November / Ger-Art / Atlanta, GA
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Decahedron / May / West Cultural Art Center / Atlanta, GA
2015
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Sprawl: Drawing Outside the Lines / High Museum of Art / Atlanta, GA
2013
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Latin Contemporary / Lowes Hotel / Atlanta, GA
2010
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Latin, GA / Spruill Gallery / Atlanta, GA
Residencies | Awards
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GLOGAUAIR / Berlin /Germany 2023
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Art Lab / Heaps of Language / High Museum of Art / Atlanta, GA
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Hambidge Artist Residency Fellow / The Hambidge Center / Rabun Gap, GA
Curatorial Experience
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Latin American contemporary / open space project / Atlanta, GA / October 2018
Private Collections
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Microsoft Corporate Collection/Atlanta/GA
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High Museum of Art/Atlanta, GA
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Georgia Cyber Center Hull McKnight/Augusta, GA
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Facebook Atlanta Data Center/Newton County, GA
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Fulton County Arts & Culture/Atlanta, GA
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Re/max Real Estate/Atlanta, GA
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Colony House Condominium/Colony Square/ Atlanta, GA
Education
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Instituto de Bellas Artes, Medellín, Colombia (1996-1999)
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Universidad Nacional, Medellín, Colombia (1999-2000)