Jorge Pardo, Cuban - American, b. 1963

Jorge Pardo, born in Havana in the year 1963, is an accomplished Cuban-American artist and sculptor renowned for his multifaceted exploration of contemporary art forms, including painting, design, sculpture, and architecture. In recognition of his artistic contributions, Jorge Pardo was honored with a prestigious MacArthur Fellowship in the year 2010.

While he was born in Havana, Cuba, Jorge Pardo's familial journey led him to Chicago at the age of six. His father's occupation in a staple factory and his mother's role as a bookkeeper provided the foundation for his early life experiences. Jorge embarked on his academic journey at the University of Illinois at Chicago with a focus on biology. However, a fortuitous encounter with painting courses during his academic pursuit led him to a profound change in direction, inspired by a dedicated teacher. Ultimately, Jorge Pardo earned his Bachelor of Fine Arts (BFA) degree from the Art Center College of Design in Pasadena, California, under the mentorship of esteemed artists Stephen Prina and Mike Kelley.

Throughout his artistic career, Jorge Pardo's work has consistently explored the intriguing convergence of sculpture, architecture, and construction. His artistic philosophy can be summarized as "shaping space" and thoughtfully engaging with the historical narratives that shape people's expectations of art.

In one of his earliest exhibitions, held at the Thomas Solomon's Garage gallery in Los Angeles in 1990, Jorge Pardo captivated audiences by showcasing ingeniously reworked handyman tools, exemplifying his penchant for creative transformation.

Currently, Jorge Pardo is represented by distinguished art institutions such as neugerriemschneider in Berlin, Petzel Gallery in New York, and Galerie Gisela Capitain in Cologne, Germany. His artistic brilliance has been showcased in renowned museums and galleries worldwide, including the illustrious Museum of Modern Art in New York and the iconic Centre Pompidou in Paris.

Throughout his career, Jorge Pardo has curated remarkable solo exhibitions at acclaimed venues such as Gagosian Gallery, the Irish Museum of Modern Art, K21 Kunstsammlung Nordrhein-Westfalen, the Los Angeles County Museum of Art, and the Museum of Contemporary Art North Miami.

Jorge Pardo's artistic journey continues to push the boundaries of contemporary art, leaving an indelible mark on the global art scene through his innovative exploration of diverse artistic disciplines.