BIO
Los Angeles artist Ramón Vargas makes paintings that draw from his own life experiences to amplify and investigate the cultural realities of Brown communities. His figurative paintings blend realism with a surreal sense of color and place, often incorporating heavy symbolism, repeating patterns and flat geometrical elements. Utilizing a representational approach, Ramón alternately celebrates and subverts prevailing concepts of identity, tradition and interpersonal relationships. Throughout his career, he has held arts-related administrative, faculty and consulting positions for non-profit and grassroots organizations, and is a known mentor for arts education and community outreach in Los Angeles and Orange County. In addition to painting, he is also a muralist and printmaker and has shown his work in Los Angeles, New York and throughout California.
PRESS
EDUCATION
Master of Fine Arts, Painting
Laguna College of Art + Design, May 2022
Bachelor of Fine Arts, Illustration
Laguna College of Art + Design, May 2002
SELECTED PROJECTS + EXHIBITIONS
Ellsworth Artist Residency – ArtShare LA, April-July 2024
“35x35” Group Show – Consulate General of Mexico in Los Angeles, March 2024
“Inner Links” Group Show – ArtShare LA, December 2023
"Raiz II" Group Show - Thinkspace | Tlaloc | Perez Bros, Marks Center for the Arts, September 2023
“Sueños II" Group Show - Munzón Gallery, May 2023
"Figuratively Speaking" Exhibition - Orange County Center for Contemporary Art, April 2023
"Outlook/Insight" Group Show - Laguna Art Museum, May 2022
“The Art of the Self” Group Show – Golden West College Art Gallery, November 2018
“The Next Wave: New Masters of Fine Art” MFA Exhibition – Gallery 805, June 2018
Finalist in Group Exhibition - Pacific Art Foundation, March 2018
Mural Instructor & Consultant, Escuelita Aztlan – Various Locations, 2014-2018
“Art of Resistance” Group Show – Avenue 50 Studio, May 2017
Silkscreen/Stencil Workshop, co-directed – Self Help Graphics, January 2017
“People, Pride, & Progress” Mural – Guisados Burbank, October 2016
“Featured Artist” East L.A. Arts Fest – East Los Angeles Civic Center, June 2016
“From Ayotzinapa to Ferguson” Group Show – Self Help Graphics, May 2016
“Jardin Del Arte” Art Fair & Exhibition – Grand Park L.A., May 2016
“Featured Artist Winner” La Bulla Live Art Series – Norwood Bar, April 2016
Art Instructor & Consultant, TEAL Project – LACMA, 2014-2016
Exhibiting Artist, Day of the Dead Fest – Rose Hills Memorial Park, November 2015
Live Painting Artist, El Jimador event – La Cuevita, October 2015
“Latino Heritage 2015” Group Show – Chimaya Art Gallery, October 2015
Group Exhibition – Univision Corporate Offices, August 2015
“Barrio Boogie: Rumba Caliente” Group Show – Espacio 1839, August 2015
Youth Stencil Workshop, Instructor – Boyle Heights Tech Youth Center, June 2015
Muralist & Sign Artist – Vaka Burgers Los Angeles, June 2015
Exhibiting Artist & Live Painting – Ink n Iron Fest, June 2015
“Infinite Tide” Group Show – Queen Mary, June 2015