Conversations with Hector Urdaneta

Today we’d like to introduce you to Hector Urdaneta.

Alright, so thank you so much for sharing your story and insight with our readers. To kick things off, can you tell us a bit about how you got started?
I was born in Barquisimeto in 1985. In my childhood I began to show interest in drawing. In my free time at school I drew comics and cartoons that I saw at home. It was a hobby that I maintained throughout my childhood, and adolescence. At one point I asked my mother to put me in classes at the Martin Tovar y Tovar art school in Barquisimeto. Here I began drawing and painting with artist Ramon Lizardi, for a year.

When I graduated from high school I wanted to continue my path creating art. However, I wasn’t sure I want to study it professionally. So I began to study English, for a year and a half, at the Fundación Universidad de Carabobo. Mostly due to pressure from my mother, I decided to pursue a university degree in Architecture because I knew that art would not be accepted as a profession. I tried to enter the Universidad Central de Venezuela (UVC) but was not selected. With my mother’s insistence I enrolled at Universidad Tecnológica Secure (UTS) in a related program called Civil Works Design.  I returned to Art School and enrolled at La Escuela de Artes “Martín Tovar y Tovar” and started studying drawing and painting under renowned artist Francisco León.  While completing my degree I was able to work with Yajaira Sanchez where I began using human figures and graphic arts in my art. She help me realize I wanted to peruse art as a profession.It was during this time that I began to exhibit my work. With a slightly unusual concept, I began to be irreverent with bright colors and debuted in my first exhibition in 2008: Collective 5 Ópticas De Ver La Naturaleza at Barquisimeto Museum. I began to participate in other art exhibitions around the city. I graduated with my degree in 2009 and continued to exhibit my art.  In 2010, while working for a calculation engineering office my artistic style began to change to a city influenced by kinetic lines with impressionism in the figures. The same year, I began moves to Caracas to complete architecture studies at the Santiago Marino University. My first solo show was in the 2012: Solo Show “Monde Parallèle”, Flor de Venezuela, Barquisimeto, Edo Lara, Venezuela. I took the same exhibition to Caracas the following year with a change in the work. Now it was more figurative with monuments. In 2013 I participated in my 2nd Solo Show “Monde Parallèle”, Building Comptroller General of the Republic PB Permanent Hall of Arts, Caracas. Capital District, Venezuela.

Then my works came to NYC, Las Vegas. In 2017 I moved to Miami where I took a break to start creating again. I made a drastic change in my concept, and the bionic portrait was born. It is a reflection of all my experiences. I began to exhibit in Miami in 2018 and held several in NYC in 2020. I moved to Louisville Kentucky, 2021 and continued to do several exhibitions between Miami and NYC. In 2022 I was invited to an exhibition in Miami to do charity work and participated for the first time in ST. James Court Art Show in the Old Louisville neighborhood of Louisville, KY. In late 2022, my art was featured in the KORE GALLERY, in Louisville.

Would you say it’s been a smooth road, and if not what are some of the biggest challenges you’ve faced along the way?
This career has had its obstacles and challenges depending on the situation or the moment. But it is most stressful when I get the chance to show my art in a solo show. I’ve done this a few times and it’s always really stressful time because I like everything in the right place at moment to show who I am to the public.

When I was living in Venezuela I always had to collect the supplies for my artwork cause sometimes disappeared or it was hard to find it but since I live in the United States it’s easier. Here I also get the chance to challenge myself. My new collection is called Bionic Portrait and is when I mix my artwork with a contemporary frame.

Alright, so let’s switch gears a bit and talk business. What should we know about your work?
My work on surrealist portraits allows me to express my vision of the good and evil in what we call life. Life in my bionic vision exist through the creation of a piece in many independent parts, with lines, shapes, colors, stories, drawing and, shades fusing for an irreverent and bold portrait. As a result they creation of a canvas with spray, paint, pencil, and acrylic. The inspiration came through an analysis of how we see ourselves after going through the adversities that life puts us, in how we overcome them to be happy again and smile after all. That is the reason for my bionic vision which is building a portrait from several canvases, which represent the colors and harmony in life.

I’m proud of the evolution of my artwork every year passed it’s getting better. my art. is my soul. What sets you apart from others? I never give up to try even if I know that I don’t get a chance. Good attitude to my work and also always be ready to do something in advance to my artwork easily I can work every day little a little until finished.

Can you tell us more about what you were like growing up?
I was a shy child, very observant. I remember that in the second grade of school, my brother helped me with a drawing of a face to turn in for homework because I was afraid I couldn’t do it. His drawing inspired me. I knew after seeing it that I wanted to draw. In my free time from school I started drawing from comic books with paper and pencil.

Pricing:

• 950$ bionic portrait 24″x30″
• 1750$ bionic portrait 24″x36″
• 2450$ bionic portrait 38″x44″
• 3590$ bionic portrait 48″x58″

Contact Info:

• Website: www.hectururdaneta.com
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/urdanetart/
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/Hurdanetart
• Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCXq5is6VC8YR-XuonFfzFFg
• Tiktok: https://www.tiktok.com/@urdanetart
• Etsy: https://www.etsy.com/shop/Byurdaneta?ref=profile_header