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Almine Rech

Alejandro Cardenas

The paintings and sculptures realized by Alejandro Cardenas (b. 1977, Santiago, Chile) provide a vision of a post-human world wherein the relationship between human forms and the environment is one of unity and coexistence. Guided by his own imagination and inspired by a wide variety of influences ranging from Surrealism to Sci-Fi to magical realism, Cardenas immerses himself in the creation of surreal, post-human scenes of polished, gridded interiors populated by eerie, angular figures. Cardenas' unique approach to figuration places his signature humanoids—narrow, wire-frame silhouettes wrapped in colorful patterns of zigzagging lines—calmly reclining, sitting, or standing within minimalist architectural environments. Unlike us, these faceless humanoids appear to lack all sensory organs, yet they are not deprived of their sensorial abilities. Instead, they convey emotion through body language, resulting in a wide variety of suggested emotional expression.

Alejandro Cardenas completed his BFA at the Cooper Union School of Art in 2000. Before becoming a full time studio painter, Cardenas had a successful career as a multimedia artist, working in illustration, graphic design, and videography. For over a decade, Cardenas served as the lead textile designer and art director for the influential fashion label Proenza Schouler. He was also a founding member of Lansing-Dreiden, a New York-based transdisciplinary art collective that produced musical albums, a literary journal, and artworks. Reviews of his art and design projects have appeared in the New York Times, Vogue, AnOther Magazine, and more.

Alejandro Cardenas currently lives and works in upstate New York.

Selected artworks

  • Alejandro Cardenas,                                      The tail of If, 2020

    Alejandro Cardenas The tail of If, 2020

    Acrylic on canvas
    121.9 x 91.4 cm
    48 x 36 in

  • Alejandro Cardenas,                                      The Visitor, 2022

    Alejandro Cardenas The Visitor, 2022

    Patinated Bronze, Marble & Metal hardware

    182 x 64 x 37 cm
    71 1/2 x 25 x 14 1/2 in

    Edition 1/3

  • Alejandro Cardenas,                                      Hermes delivers the order of Zeus, 2022

    Alejandro Cardenas Hermes delivers the order of Zeus, 2022

    Acrylic on canvas
    127 x 177.8 cm
    50 x 70 in

  • Alejandro Cardenas,                                      The Golden Bird , 2022

    Alejandro Cardenas The Golden Bird , 2022

    147.3 x 180.3 cm 
    58 x 71 in

  • Alejandro Cardenas,                                      Waiting Room, 2022

    Alejandro Cardenas Waiting Room, 2022

    151.8 x 228 cm (framed)
    59 3/4 x 89 3/4 in (framed)

    139.7 x 215.9 cm
    55 x 85 in

  • Alejandro Cardenas,                                      Calypso, 2022

    Alejandro Cardenas Calypso, 2022

    Bronze, plinth in wood
    120 x 128 x 48 cm
    47 1/2 x 50 1/2 x 19 in
    Edition of 3 + 2 APs

Selected press

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