BIO Rafa Montilla- The Biography of the Artist
“Since I remember I have given importance to two things, internal seeking and art, I have developed my life around them. My desire is to show my inner quest experience... I have been fortunate enough to travel the world and thus experiment and learn from the richness of different culture, which has nourished my soul. New experiences, mine, and others what I manifest through my artwork. Maria Luisa, my beloved grandmother used to say, “God has more to give to us than we to ask him for”, and she was so right, it is true, God has given us Mother Nature. I am grateful and pleased to brighten the eyes and the spirit of people through my artwork.” -Rafa Montilla
I present to you Rafael Montilla, a Venezuelan artist who started in the arts in 1974, with the use of oil and painting, sculpture and modeling in clay. His inspiration is the internal search for spiritual peace. He expresses himself by relying on Geometry and Mandalas, and now his visual media is photography. His camera is his ally, his instrument of expression, and that's how I met him-- with his camera in hand as he exhibited a few months ago at ArtExpo NY 2018.
It can be noted that Rafael Montilla is a visual artist who, from a very young age, has experienced migraines/severe headaches and for a certain period of time that the pain lasts usually sees what are called ‘auras’. For a few years now, he has transferred this visual experience that results from his migraines into his various artwork.
Rafael has been recognized for the contributions of his art in the community. He enjoys street art and, with a boyish mischief, he tells me anecdotes of his constant search for public places to improvise and install, different scales of his artworks. With this mischief, he embellishes the spaces of the communities. He does not only do this in Miami, where he currently has the pleasure of residing, but also in the different cities he has the opportunity to visit.
I consider our first meeting to be not a coincidence but rather a play of destiny. I see it as a teaching moment because of the possibilities of learning about art from it. I enjoy his human warmth, his simplicity and the slowness and control that are observed when he expresses his thoughts. Rafael has a guaranteed space in my virtual gallery at Guacamaya Art, and I am incredibly honored to share his work with you and enjoy the particular way he expresses and connects with nature and the universe!
Shop Rafa Montilla Collection here!
EDUCATION
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Drawing and oil painting with Professor Lucio Rivas 1974
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Drawing, School of - Visual Arts Cristóbal Rojas de Caracas 1990.
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Tapestry, School of Visual Arts Cristóbal Rojas de Caracas 1991.
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Sculpture and modeling in clay at the School Workshop Art and Fire of Cándido Millán 1991.
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Sculpture at the Museum of Contemporary Art of Caracas Sofia Ímber (MACC) 1992.
AWARDS AND HONORS
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Special recognition for the contribution to art in the community, recognition by the mayor of the City of Doral (Miami Dade), Juan Carlos Bermudez, April 27, 2017
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Proclama "August 19, 2016 Día de Rafael Montilla" by the Governor of the city of Miami, FL. Tomás Pedro Regalado
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First prize "Fair Category". Art + Communication Photography. INSJ Award December 2015 (Art Basel week) award recognition by Horacio Knaeber. INSJ president.
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Second prize "Abstract Category". Art + Communication Photography. INSJ Award December 2015 (Art Basel week) award recognition by Horacio Knaeber. INSJ president.
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Recognition for the contribution to Art in the community, recognition by Fabio A. Andrade of The Americas Community Center. July 2013
SOLO SHOW
2018
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7/6/18 - Kubes in Action. Coral Gables Museum. Coral Gables, FL
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6/22/18 - Kubes in Action Personalities/Hernán Gamboa Gallery. New Professions Technical Institute & Humboldt International University. Coral Gables, FL
2017
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12/12/17- Cocktail of End of Year 2017 of the VBC. Pierini Esthetic Surgery Events Hall. Doral, FL
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11/24/17 - Through My Eyes (Photo, Sculpture 3D) Adelmo Gallery Miami, FL
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4/28/17 - I Love Miami (Photo Sculpture 3D) Gallery Hernán Gamboa, Coral Gables, FL
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10/9/17 - I Love Miami (Photo Sculpture 3D) GALA 4THAnniversary of the PangeaFM.com radio station - Pierini Center, Doral FL
2016
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12/13/16 - VBC Cocktail Party. Pierini Esthetic Surgery Events Hall Doral, FL
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11/30/16 - Photo Sculpture, Miami Art Week. Wynwood Walls (Miami Art Basel Week). Wynwood, FL
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11/4/16 - I Love Miami (Photo Sculpture) Doral Conservatory. Doral, FL
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10/13/16 - I Love Miami (Photo Sculpture & Photos). Art Emporium Gallery. Miami, FL
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8/19/16 - I LOVE MIAMI (Photo Sculpture & Photos). Gallery Hernán Gamboa. Coral Gables, FL
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4/9/16 - Towards Light & Meditation (Photos) Concert Conducted by Daniel Andai and Photo exhibition by Rafael Montilla. Organized by Eduardo Marturet & The MISO. Herbert And Nicole Wetheim Performing Art Center FIU. Miami, FL
2015
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5/21/15 - I Love Miami (Photos). Arts Walk. Doral, FL
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4/15/15 - I Love Miami (Photos). Macondo. Doral, FL
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3/26/15 - I Love Miami (Photos). Marlins Park. Miami, FL
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2/27/15 - I Love Miami (Photos). Gallery Hernán Gamboa, New Professions Technical Institute & Humboldt International University, Miami, FL
2014
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12/12/14 - Help The Children (Photos). Euro Suites - Venezuelan Business Club.
2013
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5/24/13 - Rafael Montilla Art (Photos). Arepazo2. Doral City, FL
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4/18/13 - Rafael Montilla Art (Photos). Gallery Hernán Gamboa, Coral Gables, FL
GROUP SHOW
2018
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7/28/18 - Exhibition of Venezuelan Painters. Ontario Canada.
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7/14/18 - Store Jewelery exhibition ArtServe, Inc. Fort Lauderdale, FL
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7/12 - 7/15/18 - Art Santa Fe 2018 Contemporary Art Show. Santa Fe Convention Center, NM
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7/5/18 - DATG concept Art Hub Grand Opening. Doral, FL
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4/24/18 - Betty Croquer. Doral, FL
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4/24/18 - Art Synergy Interbroker. Doral, FL
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4/18- 4/22/18 - ArtExpo NYC 2018. DATG Concept. New York, NY
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3/22/18 - Art Fusion Interbroker. Doral, FL
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3/17/18 - Collective Exhibition Series 1-3. White's Art Gallery. Miami, FL
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3/9/18 - Outside The Box 3 is the fourth biennial hosted by Elayne Mordes. Whitespace Collection, West Palm Beach, FL
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3/9/18 - And Still I Rise Collective Exhibition inspired by Mayan Angelou Milander Center for Arts and Entertainment. Hialeah, FL
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2/22/18 - Art Is a Universal Language. Gallery Neighborhood. Doral, FL
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2/22/18 - Doral Photography Exhibition. Doral Government Center. Doral FL
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2/22/18 - Art & Wheels Event. Dezer Collection. North Miami, FL. Event in which artist donated artwork to benefit two educational centers in Venezuela: La Chinita Center & Domingo Savio Center in Zulia State.
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2/17/18 - Collective Exhibition Series 1-2 White's Art Gallery. Bird Road Art District. Miami, FL
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1/28/18 - Artexpo Las Vegas. DATG Concept Booth. Las Vegas, NV
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1/26/18 - Jose Marti. Milander Center for Arts and Entertainment. Hialeah. FL
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1/20/18 - Collective Exhibition White's Art Gallery. Bird Road Art District, Miami, FL
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1/19/18 - Contemporary Art Exhibition. Hernán Gamboa Gallery. Coral Gables, FL
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1/18/18 - Photo Pro Exhibit. Art Ambassadors Gallery. Doral FL
2017
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12/5 - 12/9 - Art Miami Week / Art Basel - Spectrum Miami, FL, DAGT Concept.
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12/4/17 - Annual Art Miami-Dade Exhibit, World Aid Day Exhibit, Miami, FL
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12/1/17 - World Aid Day Exhibit, Bakehouse Art Complex, Miami. FL
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12/1/17 - Urban Landscape. International Photography Exhibition. Tribute to the artist Macu Sanz. CN Gallery C, Madrid, Spain
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11/10/17 - Art Expo Miami at Gallery Hernán Gamboa, Coral Gables, FL. Rafael Montilla, Exhibition Coordinator
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11/2/17 - Art Influential Award Ceremony. Doral Conservatory School of Arts, Doral, FL. Rafael Montilla, Exhibition Coordinator
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10/2/18 - Hispanic Heritage Month 2017 -18th Annual Hispanic Expressions Exhibit. Stephen P. Clark Center. Miami, FL
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9/2/17 - The Miami-Dade Hispanic Affairs.
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9/2/17 - Rafa Montilla's Kubos, Urban Intervention Project, KERGallery. Miami, FL
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10/29/17 - The Fieldwork Miami Showcase, works-in-progress artworks and performances Showcase / Exhibition. at Atelier Esperanza. Miami, FL
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10/21/17 - City Remix.Remix, Revist, Rethink and Reimagine the essence of city life and its urban spaces. KER Gallery. Miami, FL & ConcreteSpace Art Gallery Art Projects, Doral, FL
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10/6/17 - The Hispanic Hand, Hispanic Heritage Month with a grand Collective Art Exhibition by 70+artists elite at the Milander Center for Arts and Entertainment. Hialeah, FL. Celebrates the rich cultural expressions of Hispanic traditions, history and contemporary life.
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10/2/17 - The Magic of Latin America / 150th Anniversary of Canada, Toronto, ON Canada
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10/1/17 - Hispanic Festival under the umbrella: Embassy of Art - Art Embassy Doral, FL
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8/19/17 - Miami Biennale Artists for Venezuelan Journalists. N. Miami FL
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8/19/17 - Collective Exhibition, White's Art Gallery. Bird Road Art District. Miami, FL
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8/3/17 - Documenta Exhibition, Art & Design Gallery, Miami, FL
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7/21/17 - Solo Pros, Gallery Hernán Gamboa, Coral Gables, FL
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7/15/17 - Summer Edition. White's Art Gallery. Bird Road Art District. Miami, FL
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6/23/17 - Interbrokers Collective Exhibition. Doral, FL
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6/2/17 - Painting & Photos. Gallery Hernán Gamboa, Coral Gables, FL
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5/25/17 - Fusion - Photo Gallery. Miami, FL
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4/29/17 - Under the Umbrella. Embassy of Art - Doral, FL
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4/27/17 - Exhibition in honor of the poet and hero José Martí. Doral Conservatory. Doral, FL
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3/18/17 - Open Art EXPRESSIONS, Collective Exhibition/ White's Art Gallery. Bird Road Art District. Miami, FL
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2/24/17 - Atrium with its new color palette: Embassy of Art. Doral, FL
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2/23/17 - Capture Doral Photography Exhibit: Doral Government Center. Doral, FL
2016
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12/15/16 - Greatest Thing: Memories of the Three-Legged Legendary. Art Emporium Gallery. Miami, FL
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11/19/16 - Expo 2016 Under THE ART BASEL (Photo Sculpture) Miami Collection Exhibition. White's Art Gallery, Miami, FL.
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9/19/16 - Greatest Thing: Memories of the Legendary Three Skates at Miami Dade College. Doral, FL. Exhibition to celebrate Cuban actor and comedian Leopoldo Fernández.
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4/29/16 - Smile of Hope 2016. America Develoment Smiles. Weston, FL
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3/24/16 - Art to Celebrate. Grand Palms Hotel, Spa and Golf Resort. Pembroke Pines, FL
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2/16/16 - White's Art Gallery Exhibition. Miami, FL
2015
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12/16/15 - Nina Torres Fine Art. INSJ Photography Awards. Miami, FL
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5/13/15 - "Hearth" Celebrating Earth Month, BEART Foundation Artifice Gallery. Miami, FL
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5/6/15 - New Expressions of Latin American Art in South Florida. BEART Foundation. Ana G Mendez University System. Miramar, FL
2014
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5/3/14 - New Expressions of Latin American Art in South Florida. BEART Foundation. Ana G Mendez University System. Miramar, FL
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4/15/14 - "Hearth" Celebrating Earth Month. BEART Foundation. Euro Suites. Doral, FL
2013
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7/19/13 - Seventh Salon of the Americas. Lucy Saenz Art Studio. Pembroke Pines, FL
2012
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11/2/12 - United For Art. Hernán Gamboa Gallery, New Professions Technical Institute. Coral Gables, FL