Romeo Rios Vadillo was born in the city of Guatemala and is a Canadian Citizen. He is a self-taught painter and also studied engraving studies (dry linoleum) at Atelier Circulaire, Montreal. His first painting was in Neo-Maya style and after he created a style called Identity Schizophrenia, that concept came from de mixture of Neo-Maya style and Surrealism.
Romeo call himself also the Naif Painter.
He developed by himself different techniques and presently is a creator of an original vision of Abstract Art. He traveled and exhibited in several cities and he is presently living in Montreal, Canada.
Romeo Rios Vadillo- Artist Statement
I seek to see beyond our common reality and use art in an intuitive manner to achieve self-realization. I am a self-taught artist from Guatamala and thus inspire by Mayan cosmology. My first works explored Neo-Mayan iconography, which I subsequently fused with Surrealist automatism to create a style called Identity
Schizophrenia.
I create ink drawings on paper with a strong overall rhythm, imparted by heavy, black forms scattered within the linear matrix. The genesis of this design aspect can be seen clearly in my Neo-Mayan drawings, where flat, black shapes define the animistic forms. Atmospheric pastel works breathe air into cosmic scenes with visitations from outer space, adding a romantic flavour. My acrylic paintings are usually hard-edged, well-defined and colourful works, rooted in ambiguity. Throughout my art I strive to activate a vision of surprise and revelation, discerned by imaginations that engage with the story.
In keeping with Mayan mythology, I employ a two-dimensional narrative style that extends across the surface, which I populate with characters of uncertain identity. Abstraction and figuration are intermingled so that the forms suggest action and yet also occupy the space as shapes. I use iconic symbols like black clouds, which are both a formal, rhythmic device and an emotional indication of impending disaster. All elements interact to simulate the complex world we live in. I have a stron affinity with Joan Miró's automatism in this respect.
My themes explore the cosmic system, from multiple interpenetrating worlds, to the inner workings of microorganisms at the bottom of a lake. I use bright yellows pinks and blues in my paintings to draw the viewer into the story. Swirling forms like cosmic roads with'holes' for parallel universes to enter, stretch across th surface. At first glance, it is a flat expanse, but as the viewer engages, the forms an space become paradoxical and illusionary. The inability to find certainty in the forms imparts a wriggling life to the art, making each piece pulsate as if it were a living system populated with cells going about the historical business of existence.
In synthesis, my work has as its aim the imagination together with creativity an experimentation in the following styles: naive, surrealism, abstract and Neo-Maya.
Schizophrenia.
I create ink drawings on paper with a strong overall rhythm, imparted by heavy, black forms scattered within the linear matrix. The genesis of this design aspect can be seen clearly in my Neo-Mayan drawings, where flat, black shapes define the animistic forms. Atmospheric pastel works breathe air into cosmic scenes with visitations from outer space, adding a romantic flavour. My acrylic paintings are usually hard-edged, well-defined and colourful works, rooted in ambiguity. Throughout my art I strive to activate a vision of surprise and revelation, discerned by imaginations that engage with the story.
In keeping with Mayan mythology, I employ a two-dimensional narrative style that extends across the surface, which I populate with characters of uncertain identity. Abstraction and figuration are intermingled so that the forms suggest action and yet also occupy the space as shapes. I use iconic symbols like black clouds, which are both a formal, rhythmic device and an emotional indication of impending disaster. All elements interact to simulate the complex world we live in. I have a stron affinity with Joan Miró's automatism in this respect.
My themes explore the cosmic system, from multiple interpenetrating worlds, to the inner workings of microorganisms at the bottom of a lake. I use bright yellows pinks and blues in my paintings to draw the viewer into the story. Swirling forms like cosmic roads with'holes' for parallel universes to enter, stretch across th surface. At first glance, it is a flat expanse, but as the viewer engages, the forms an space become paradoxical and illusionary. The inability to find certainty in the forms imparts a wriggling life to the art, making each piece pulsate as if it were a living system populated with cells going about the historical business of existence.
In synthesis, my work has as its aim the imagination together with creativity an experimentation in the following styles: naive, surrealism, abstract and Neo-Maya.
Mayas walking in the bay
Technique: acrylic on wood (mural at Vancouver)
Size: 3 m x 2 m
The Alchemist
Technique: pastel on canson paper
Size: 65 cm x 50 cm
Nautical philosopherTechnique: mixed: acrylic, ink and acrylic marker
Size: 50 cm x 42 cm
Day, afternoon and night
Technique: mixed acrylic and ink on wood
Size: 70 cm x 45 cm
(Identity schizophrenia series)
The good, the bad and the ugly
Technique: acrylic on canvas
Size: 90 cm x 70 cm
The Wall
Technique: mixed: acrylic, glass paint and ink on wood
Size: 1.22 m x 81 cm
Dance of Moons
Technique: acrylic on glass
Size: 75 cm x 75 cm
The loneliness
Technique: acrylic
Size: 41 cm x 51 cm
The Portal
Technique: oil
Size: 60 cm x 45 cm
Landscape
Technique: oil
Size: 41 cm x 51 cm
Astronomical pyramid
Technique: pastel on canson paper
Size: 65 cm x 50 cm
President’s tie
Technique: pastel on Canson paper
Size: 65 cm x 50 cm
The peaceful city and the sea:
Technique mixed: acrylic, ink and acrylic marker
Size: 84 cm x 50 cm
The path of the ShamanTechnique: mixed acrylic and ink on wood
Size: 70 cm x 45 cm
(Identity schizophrenia series)
Ideas seeker
Technique: acrylic on canvas
Size: 45 cm x 30 cm
Moonlight
Technique: mixed: acrylic and ink
Size: 76 cm x 1.01 m
Homocephalus
Technique: mixed: acrylic, oil
Size: 46 cm x 61 cm
Space Bodegon
Technique: acrylic
Size: 46 cm x 61 cm
The sign
Technique: oil
Size: 61 cm x 76 cm
Lowering the pyramid
Technique: Ink on paper
Size: 80 cm x 65 cm SOLD
Castles in the air
Technique: Ink on paper
Size: 80 cm x 65 cm SOLD
Spaceships
Technique: Ink on paper
Size: 80 cm x 65 cm SOLD
Flutist of hearts
Technique: ink on paper
Size: 80 cm x 65 cm
MORE EXHIBITIONS
1982 Alliance Francaise. Quetzaltenango, Guatemala.
1982 Alliance Francaise, Guatemala City.
1995 Private exposition, Ciao Home, Montreal
1995 Book Store, ABYA-YALA, Montreal.
1992 Silent Art Auction, MWMWMWMW Gallery, Chicago.
1992 A.R.C. Gallery, Chicago.
1994 Bouganville Gallery, Montreal, Canada.
1995 Mail Art. House of world Culture, Montreal.
1995 First Latin American Song Festival, Montreal.
1996 El Tunel Gallery, Guatemala.
1998 Eastside Cultural Studio (Richard Tetrault). Paneficio Studios, Vancouver.
1998 Gache Gallery, Vancouver.
2002 Open City, Montreal.
2004 La Perspective Gallery, Montreal.
2005 L'Oreille de Van Gogh Gallery, Montreal.
2005 Exposition with artists of Toronto, La Perspective Gallery, Montreal.
2006 Without Borders, Les Minots, Montreal.
2007 Inauguration of news paper Independiente, D’Indy music school, Montreal.
2008 Latinoamerican colors,The Sunfest:
A Celebration of World Cultures, London, Ontario,Canada.
2009. Exposition at the gallery Corredor de Arte Silviane, Maya Asociation. Montreal.
2009. Exposition at the gallery Corredor de Arte Silviane, TracesMultiples. Montreal.
2009 Exposition at the gallery Café Grafiti, TracesMultiples. Montreal.
2010 Collision for the New Canadians of Art and Culture. CNCA Museum. Otawa.
2010 The electric Foufones. TracesMultiples Montreal.
2011 Gallery ArtBressan, TracesMultiples. Montreal.
2011 Exposition at the Écomusée du fier monde. Montreal.
2014 Rozas Botrán Foundation. ARTE EN MAYO, Guatemala.
1982 Alliance Francaise, Guatemala City.
1995 Private exposition, Ciao Home, Montreal
1995 Book Store, ABYA-YALA, Montreal.
1992 Silent Art Auction, MWMWMWMW Gallery, Chicago.
1992 A.R.C. Gallery, Chicago.
1994 Bouganville Gallery, Montreal, Canada.
1995 Mail Art. House of world Culture, Montreal.
1995 First Latin American Song Festival, Montreal.
1996 El Tunel Gallery, Guatemala.
1998 Eastside Cultural Studio (Richard Tetrault). Paneficio Studios, Vancouver.
1998 Gache Gallery, Vancouver.
2002 Open City, Montreal.
2004 La Perspective Gallery, Montreal.
2005 L'Oreille de Van Gogh Gallery, Montreal.
2005 Exposition with artists of Toronto, La Perspective Gallery, Montreal.
2006 Without Borders, Les Minots, Montreal.
2007 Inauguration of news paper Independiente, D’Indy music school, Montreal.
2008 Latinoamerican colors,The Sunfest:
A Celebration of World Cultures, London, Ontario,Canada.
2009. Exposition at the gallery Corredor de Arte Silviane, Maya Asociation. Montreal.
2009. Exposition at the gallery Corredor de Arte Silviane, TracesMultiples. Montreal.
2009 Exposition at the gallery Café Grafiti, TracesMultiples. Montreal.
2010 Collision for the New Canadians of Art and Culture. CNCA Museum. Otawa.
2010 The electric Foufones. TracesMultiples Montreal.
2011 Gallery ArtBressan, TracesMultiples. Montreal.
2011 Exposition at the Écomusée du fier monde. Montreal.
2014 Rozas Botrán Foundation. ARTE EN MAYO, Guatemala.
OTHER EXHIBITIONS
1990-92 Seven Noj Group :
Pasco Gallery, Quetzaltenango, Guatemala.
Paris Royal Restaurant, Quetzaltenango. Guatemala.
Machu-Pichu Gallery, San Jose California Interview with Mercury Newspaper.
LATIN AMERICAN ARTISTS UNITED
1991 Monterrey Plaza Gallery, San Jose California.
1992 Berkeley University, California.
1992-94-95-98 Gail Borden Library, Elgin, Illinois.
1992 The Yunke Gallery, Chicago.
1992 Latino Youth High School, Chicago, Illinois.
1993 Elgin Community College, Elgin, Illinois.
OTHER ACTIVITIES
1996 Interview in the program AVANCES in all Channels, Guatemala City.
1996 Co-founder of the Cultural Sur Projet with the Licentiate Adolfo Lopez Sosa, Montreal-Quetzaltenango, Guatemala.
1996 Qualifying judge for the Heritage Painting Awards, Cultural Sur Projet, Quetzaltenango, Guatemala.
1998 Walls in Change. Mural in Vancouver. 6 by 3 Mts. Vancouver.
1999-2000 Visual Arts Director, Cultural Sur Projet. Montreal.
2001 Interview in Chanel 14 CJNT, "Ritmo Latino", Montreal.
2005 Three workshops on the topic Neo-Mayismo ¨ campement la jeunesse¨ Mont-Radar, Saint-Silvestre. Quebec.
2002. Assistant Artist Animator in Open City. Montreal.
2002. OPEN CITY AUCTION. Montreal.
2005 Three workshops on the topic Neo-Mayanism ¨ campement la jeunesse¨ Mont-Radar, Saint-Silvestre. Quebec.
2006 Interview in Chanel 14 CJNT ¨FOCO LATINO¨, Montreal.
2008 Santropol Roulant Art Auction, Just for laugh Museum, Montreal.
2009 Founder of ¨Collective d’Artistes Traces Multiples¨, Montreal.
2017- Engraving studies (dry linoleum) at Atelier Circulaire, Montreal.
------- Interviews at various newspapers of Guatemala, United States and Canada.
1990-92 Seven Noj Group :
Pasco Gallery, Quetzaltenango, Guatemala.
Paris Royal Restaurant, Quetzaltenango. Guatemala.
Machu-Pichu Gallery, San Jose California Interview with Mercury Newspaper.
LATIN AMERICAN ARTISTS UNITED
1991 Monterrey Plaza Gallery, San Jose California.
1992 Berkeley University, California.
1992-94-95-98 Gail Borden Library, Elgin, Illinois.
1992 The Yunke Gallery, Chicago.
1992 Latino Youth High School, Chicago, Illinois.
1993 Elgin Community College, Elgin, Illinois.
OTHER ACTIVITIES
1996 Interview in the program AVANCES in all Channels, Guatemala City.
1996 Co-founder of the Cultural Sur Projet with the Licentiate Adolfo Lopez Sosa, Montreal-Quetzaltenango, Guatemala.
1996 Qualifying judge for the Heritage Painting Awards, Cultural Sur Projet, Quetzaltenango, Guatemala.
1998 Walls in Change. Mural in Vancouver. 6 by 3 Mts. Vancouver.
1999-2000 Visual Arts Director, Cultural Sur Projet. Montreal.
2001 Interview in Chanel 14 CJNT, "Ritmo Latino", Montreal.
2005 Three workshops on the topic Neo-Mayismo ¨ campement la jeunesse¨ Mont-Radar, Saint-Silvestre. Quebec.
2002. Assistant Artist Animator in Open City. Montreal.
2002. OPEN CITY AUCTION. Montreal.
2005 Three workshops on the topic Neo-Mayanism ¨ campement la jeunesse¨ Mont-Radar, Saint-Silvestre. Quebec.
2006 Interview in Chanel 14 CJNT ¨FOCO LATINO¨, Montreal.
2008 Santropol Roulant Art Auction, Just for laugh Museum, Montreal.
2009 Founder of ¨Collective d’Artistes Traces Multiples¨, Montreal.
2017- Engraving studies (dry linoleum) at Atelier Circulaire, Montreal.
------- Interviews at various newspapers of Guatemala, United States and Canada.
COLLECTIVE EXHIBITIONS
1979,82,83,84,85,85,87 Arturo Martinez. City Hall, Quetzaltenango.
1982,84,86,88 Bienniel Paiz, Guatemala City.
1985 Tribute to master Rafael Mora. City Hall, Guatemala.
1986 Quetzaltenango training center.
1988 Carnaval Mazatenango. City Hall. Mazatenango, Guatemala .
1988 Three Masters of Quetzaltenango’s paint. Permanent Center of Culture Paiz, Guatemala City.
1989 Contemporary painting of Quetzaltenango. City Hall, Guatemala City.
1989 Camino Real Hotel, Guatemala City.
1990 Inauguration of La Galería, Quetzaltenango, Guatemala.
1990 Rotary Auction, Guatemala City .
1991 Art Museum. Tribute to two Art Master, Quetzaltenango, Guatemala.
1992 Guatemala Home, Chicago.
1992 Art Museum, Quetzaltenango Guatemala.
PRIVATE COLLECTIONS
Canada, United States, France, Belgium, Norway, Sweden, Switzerland, United Kingdom, Australia, Cuba, Dominican Republic, Mexico, Guatemala, Honduras, Peru and Colombia.
1979,82,83,84,85,85,87 Arturo Martinez. City Hall, Quetzaltenango.
1982,84,86,88 Bienniel Paiz, Guatemala City.
1985 Tribute to master Rafael Mora. City Hall, Guatemala.
1986 Quetzaltenango training center.
1988 Carnaval Mazatenango. City Hall. Mazatenango, Guatemala .
1988 Three Masters of Quetzaltenango’s paint. Permanent Center of Culture Paiz, Guatemala City.
1989 Contemporary painting of Quetzaltenango. City Hall, Guatemala City.
1989 Camino Real Hotel, Guatemala City.
1990 Inauguration of La Galería, Quetzaltenango, Guatemala.
1990 Rotary Auction, Guatemala City .
1991 Art Museum. Tribute to two Art Master, Quetzaltenango, Guatemala.
1992 Guatemala Home, Chicago.
1992 Art Museum, Quetzaltenango Guatemala.
PRIVATE COLLECTIONS
Canada, United States, France, Belgium, Norway, Sweden, Switzerland, United Kingdom, Australia, Cuba, Dominican Republic, Mexico, Guatemala, Honduras, Peru and Colombia.
CV,
Romeo Rios Vadillo
Romeo Rios Vadillo
SOLO EXHIBITIONS
1982 Alliance Francaise. Quetzaltenango, Guatemala.
1982 Alliance Francaise, Guatemala City.
1995 Private exposition, Ciao Home, Montreal
1995 Book Store, ABYA-YALA, Montreal.
1995 Cadieux Auditorium, Lester B. Pearson Building, Ottawa. In behalf of Guatemala´s Embassy, invited by the embasador of Guatemala, Francisco Villagrán de León.
1996 El Sitio Gallery, Antigua Guatemala.
PERMANENT WORK
.
1989-1991 El Tunel Gallery, Guatemala.
1989-1991 Bellas Artes Gallery, Guatemala.
1989-1990 Estípite Gallery, Antigua Guatemala.
1990-1991 La Galería, Quetzaltenango, Guatemala
1993 Collector Art Gallery, Windsor, Ontario.
1998 Heritage Gallery, Seattle.
2004-06 La Perspectiva Gallery . Montreal.
2006 ArtAmérica Gallery, Montreal
2009. ArtBressan Gallery. Montreal.
2014. Rozas Botrán Gallery. Guatemala.
2019 Arte Garage Gallery, Quetzaltenango, Guatemala
1982 Alliance Francaise. Quetzaltenango, Guatemala.
1982 Alliance Francaise, Guatemala City.
1995 Private exposition, Ciao Home, Montreal
1995 Book Store, ABYA-YALA, Montreal.
1995 Cadieux Auditorium, Lester B. Pearson Building, Ottawa. In behalf of Guatemala´s Embassy, invited by the embasador of Guatemala, Francisco Villagrán de León.
1996 El Sitio Gallery, Antigua Guatemala.
PERMANENT WORK
.
1989-1991 El Tunel Gallery, Guatemala.
1989-1991 Bellas Artes Gallery, Guatemala.
1989-1990 Estípite Gallery, Antigua Guatemala.
1990-1991 La Galería, Quetzaltenango, Guatemala
1993 Collector Art Gallery, Windsor, Ontario.
1998 Heritage Gallery, Seattle.
2004-06 La Perspectiva Gallery . Montreal.
2006 ArtAmérica Gallery, Montreal
2009. ArtBressan Gallery. Montreal.
2014. Rozas Botrán Gallery. Guatemala.
2019 Arte Garage Gallery, Quetzaltenango, Guatemala
Romeo Rios Vadillo
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