Photo by Benjamin Fredrickson
Ramon Vega earned a BFA from the Rhode Island School of Design and an MFA from the Tyler School of Art and Architecture, supported by the Odili Donald Odita Scholarship. Prior to this, he held roles as Creative Director at Gagosian Shop and worked with Ralph Lauren, Prada, and Comme des Garcons. Vega has showcased his work nationally and internationally at galleries such as Temple Contemporary, PA; Andrew Edlin, NY; the Hole, NY; David Zwirner Gallery, NY; and Praz-Delavallade, Paris. His art has been highlighted in L’Officiel Mexico and reviewed by esteemed publications, including the New York Times. Vega's artistic pursuits span painting, collage, drawing, and installation, focusing on exploring themes of identity and place through abstraction. Hailing from Puerto Rico and raised in New York, Vega's work seeks to evoke a strong sense of place through a visually rich language. He sees abstraction as a powerful means of transformation, investigating the fluidity of memory and perception and our relationship to our environments.
Vega's current investigation delves into the urban palimpsest, examining the construction of architecture and its repurposing, which shapes our perceptions. Particularly intriguing are the structures that emerge during image-making and technique-driven practices. Of particular interest are the patterns that materialize through the labor involved in creating and repurposing structures, notably evident in materials like polyvinyl tarps, often used for temporary storage and shelter solutions. Through repetitive gestures, a discernible pattern emerges, highlighting the cumulative nature of its creation. This methodology enables Vega to map a location and prompts contemplation of the constructional aspects inherent in the built environment. By offering alternative perspectives on structures, Vega's approach invites reflection on how they influence our daily experiences and identities.
Born in San Juan, Puerto Rico
Work Experience
2024-2025 Critic in Painting Department at Rhode Island School of Design
2019-2021 Creative Director at Gagosian Shop
Education
2024 MFA Tyler School of Art and Architecture
2006 BFA Rhode Island School of Design
Residencies
2014 Residency at Atlantic Center for the Arts, New Smyrna Beach, FL
2005 Residency at Anderson Ranch Arts Center, Snowmass, CO
2004 Residency at Pont Aven School of Contemporary Art, Pont Aven, France
Exhibits
2024 Back Again, curated by the Fragile Institute with RISD Painting, Memorial Hall Gallery at Rhode Island School of Design, Providence, RI 2024 18.46° North, 66.27° West, Temple Contemporary at Temple University, Philadelphia, PA 2023 Dreamtopia, curated by Maxwell Davis and Blithe Ophelia Grey, Stella Elkins Gallery at Temple University, Philadelphia, PA
2020 The Many Faces of Bill Arnig curated by Scott Hug, Andrew Edlin Gallery, New York, NY
2019 Duckie Brown presents New Work by Ramon Vega, The Shop at Duckie Brown, New York, NY
2018 Dislexia Geografica (Geography of the Edge) curated by Miguel Trelles, Maria Dieppa and Manuela Gonzalez, The Clemente Soto Velez Center, New York, NY
2016 Woven curated by Xaviera Simmons, Art Works by Deutsche Bank Collection, New York, NY
2015 Art is Hope curated by Rene-Julien Praz, Paris, France
2015 Beatriz Milhazes, Cecilia Biagini, Maria Berrio, Cecilia Paredes, Livia Benjamin Corona and Ramon Vega curated by Jacob Robichaux, Clifford Chance, New York, NY
2014 Common Threads, curated by Martin Kheen, Ludlow Studios, New York, NY
2014 Recon, a group show, curated by Bethanie Brady and Pippa Cohen, JWalk, New York, NY
2014 Unframed, An Art Auction to Benefit ACRIA, curated by Ales Ortuzar, David Zwirner, New York, NY
2013 NeueHouse Art Show, a group show, curated by Marina Schindler, NeueHouse, New York, NY
2013 I Killed My Father, I Ate Human Flesh, I Quiver with Joy, curated by Risa Needleman and Benjamin Tischer, Allegra LaViola Gallery, New York, NY
2012 Dorian Gray, curated by Ilan Cohen with Quang Bao, Second Guest, New York, NY
2012 Buy What You Love, Rema Hort Mann Foundation, The Hole, New York, NY
2011 Take-Out, curated by Scott Hug, Andrew Edlin Gallery, New York, NY
2010 One Hour Photo, curated by Chajana denHarder and Chandi Kelley,
American University Museum at the Katzen Arts Gallery, Washington DC
2009 Work For Love, Performance with Desi Santiago, Asia Song Society, New York, NY
2007 Mother May I, curated by Sheila Pepe, NY Gay and Lesbian Center, New York, NY
2007 Bomb Scare, Invisible NYC, New York, NY
2006 Crit, curated by Holly Hughes and Nancy VanDeren,
Spencertown Academy Arts Center, Spencertown, NY
2006 The Here and the There, The This and the That, RISD Thesis Exhibition
2005 Fall Juried Show, Brown University Hillel Gallery
2004 Group Show, Pont Aven School of Contemporary Art, Pont Aven, France
Reviews and Publications
L’Officiel Mexico, November 2015
Best of April: A Round-Up of Art In New York, Out There: Design, Art, Travel, Shopping, April 22, 2014
Creative Muscle, The New York Post, Page Six, Stephanie Smith, April 10, 2014
Boxed: A Visual History and the Art of Boxing, Dzine Studio, Damiani Editore
with Paul Kasmin Gallery, April 2014
Ramon Vega: Brooklyn Artist, Anne Street Studio Blog, created by Jamie Beack & Kevin Burg, December 5, 2013
Fashion, Sports and Politics in Ramon Vega’s Studio, Out There: Design, Art, Travel, Shopping, Maria Gabriela Brito, November 6, 2013
Voids, Echoes: An Interview With Terence Hannum, Hammer Smashed Sound,
Posted by Chris, March 13, 2013
I Killed My Father, I Ate Human Flesh, I Quiver with Joy: An Obsession with Pier Paolo Pasolini at Allegra La Viola Gallery, New York, Purple Diary, Photos by Elise Gallant, February 27, 2013
Dorian Gray, an exhibition curated by Ilan Cohen with Quang Bao, 2012
The Party of the Season, Boston Herald, Jill Radsken, October 3rd, 2011
Take-Out: Art in Review, The New York Times, Holland Cotter, August 18, 2011
Take-Out at Andrew Edlin, Eyes-towards-the-dove.blogspot.com, Katy Diamond Hamer, July 15, 2011
Take-Out: Consumption and Estrangement, Provisions, Marice Sy, July 13, 2011
Take Out, Bomblog, Kari Adelaide, July 25, 2011
Art: Group Show, Take Out, Flavorpill, Fiona Guedalia, July 7, 2011
Bombscare Review, Contemporary, Katie Kitamura, Issue no. 92, 2007
Ramon Vega: Bomb Scare, Coolhunting, Ami Kealoha, January 2, 2007
Issues, Brown University Publication, Spring 2005
Clerestory, Brown University Publication, Spring 2004
Awards
Odili Donald Odita Scholarship, Tyler School of Art and Architecture, 2022-2024
Florence Leif Award, RISD Department of Painting, Summer 2006
Artist Lectures
Moore College of Art, Drawing Seminar, Philadelphia, PA 2024
Maryland Institute College of Art, Photography Seminar, Baltimore, MD 2008