Baltasar Portillo
Born in El Salvador and currently working in Europe, Baltasar is a self taught artist, whose career began as a result of his experimentation in Land Art installations in the town of Suchitoto.
During this period, he began creating sculptures that had functional characteristics. Baltasar understands that the function of an object changes the relationship with the spectator, creating an unexpected dialogue: “The public is more receptive in understanding the concept of my pieces when they understand their function because, as humans, we are accustomed to engage in a relationship with objects through functionality”.
Baltasar is a member of the Furniture Society of North America (Studio Made Furniture). The founder of La Fabri-k, he participated in the conversion of an old industrial venue in El Salvador into a cultural center and studio space for artists. His recent work was chosen for an exhibition of the current trends of sculptural studio made furniture by the Furniture Society, for an exhibit at the International Contemporary Furniture Fair (ICFF) 2010 New York.
Museum Expos & Collections
Museo de Arte de El Salvador (Marte) “Artist of the month”, August 2010
Museo de Antropologia de El Salvador (MUNA) “ESEMUVI”, January 2010
Museo de La Paz, Santa Tecla El Salvador “Festival de Escultura 2010 Museo de Arte Moderno
de Santo Domingo, Art of Uncertanty Dominican Republic 2008
Galleries
Kimrechova Gallery, New York NY, USA 2010
Ariodante Gallery, New Orleans LA, USA
SOMARTS Gallery, San Francisco, California USA
Sublime New York, NY USA
Galeria Istmo, Granada, Nicaragua
Edgezones Contemporary, Miami, Florida USA
Galeria Azul y Blanco, San Salvador, El Salvador
Spanish Cultural Center, San Salvador ,El Salvador, FUNKA (solo exhibition) 2006
Sala Nacional de Exposiciones, San Salvador, La Fabri-k, Zaragoza. El Salvador
Fairs
International Contemporary Furniture Fair New York, NY USA, 2009 , 2010
Architectural Digest Show. Pier 96. New York , NY. USA . 2006 , 2009
Art Basel, Miami Florida, USA, Edgezones Contemporary 2008
Ambiente Internationale, Frankfurter Messe, Germany, 2005
Tendence Internationale, Frankfurter Messe, Germany, 2004
Chicago Deisng Show, Merchandise Mart Chicago, USA 2003
Auctions
Jefferson Society for The Performing Arts, New Orleans LA, USA 2010
JUANNIO Subasta de Arte Latino Americano Guatemala 2008, 2010
The Rockefeller Foundation The Rockefellar Centre, New York, 2006
Biennales
I, II, III Bienal de Arte Paiz, San Salvador, El Salvador
Public Art
Ciudad de Santa Tecla, El Salvador, Public Sculpture, Paseo El Carmen
Casa de La Cultura, Suchitoto, El Salvador, Permanent Collection
Awards
Furniture Society of North America Selection ICFF 2010
INGENIO, National Registry Center of El Salvador, 2007
INGENIO National Registry Center of El Salvador, 2003
Talent of the Year, Dominican Republic Embassy, 2000
