Select Works by Harif Guzman

August 24 to October 26, 2024

Deborah Colton Gallery is pleased to present Select Works by Harif Guzman which was inspired by his artistic debut in Texas in his solo exhibition, Dying to Live, a decade ago at Deborah Colton Gallery.

Harif Guzman, born in Venezuela, spent much of his young childhood surrounded by his mother and sisters, and was influenced strongly by his father (a printer and typesetter). As a young boy, he was moved to the west coast of the United States and then to New York City. Guzman’s works have been greatly inspired by his time in New York which he has called “not only home, but his canvas and inspiration.” His work derives from mechanical reproduction and the hands-on technique that refuses the deadening effects of iconographical conformity. Further inspiration is the result of Guzman’s earliest experiences of image making and the craft that he encountered working in his father’s print workshop. The subsequent trajectory of his path from shop worker, street-smart skate punk, busboy, and valet, to the art gallery and international art scene involves an alchemical shift as humble cast-offs become Fine Art gold in his studio.

Guzman’s work explores the idea of behavior and human transformation. The reclaimed materials Guzman employs are not just physical elements but are deeply rooted secondhand imagery that characterizes contemporary urban existence. At times portraying urban life as simply an assemblage of humanity, Guzman simultaneously forces the concept of a deeper, in-depth individuality. This individuality is subtle and purposely consumed within Guzman’s works.

Relevant themes of power, death and money become romanticized as Guzman exposes human addictions within culture extremes…which happen in Texas also. He collectively explores the concept of behavior adjacent to obsession yet individually and aggressively exploits it through visually capturing commonality and the elemental functions that drive us. Circumventing the traditionally approved arc that takes an artist from art school to art gallery, Guzman’s unorthodox route from the base-metal street artist to the gold of the accomplished work centers his attention in a stylish, contemporary urban idiom.

Harif Guzman has made a major impact in cities throughout the world with his street art and massive, creative installations. His works are in hundreds of private and public collections. Guzman currently works in Berlin and also has a studio in Miami.

Deborah Colton Gallery is an international contemporary art gallery, based in Houston, Texas since 2004 and initiates projects throughout the United States. Deborah Colton Gallery also has OUTPOST NYC DCG, an east coast-based arts initiative, which includes Harif Guzman.