Hernando Rico Sanchez: Tribulation

Silencio II, 2009, Oil and plaster texture on canvas, 40 x 32 inches.

From an early age, Hernando Rico Sanchez became interested in the arts, working in painting, sculpture, photography, and other forms of artistic expression. His artwork finds its narrative in a personal necessity to express emotion through color and form, creating works that center attention on the human condition, particularly the effects of conflict, migration, and violence. He captures mementos to confront the viewer, make them witness realities that may or may not be theirs, and make them somewhat uncomfortable by telling personal stories or reflecting on current events.

Hernando began his education in Colombia, his native country, under the tutoring of Colombian artist Rodrigo Carvajal and was influenced by the artwork of Argentinean artist Francisco Ruiz. He continued his education at the age of 19 at the New York Student Art League, followed by a BFA at Kean University in New Jersey. He has participated in exhibitions in the United States, Europe, and Argentina as a professional artist. In 2010, he earned a master’s degree in Museum Studies from the University of Alcalá in Spain. Since then, he has worked as an artist and independent art curator, focusing on promoting local and Latino emerging artists.

Over the years, Hernando has been manager of Rupert Ravens Contemporary Art Gallery, the artist in residency at the J City Theater, where he became their Gallery 9 artist-curator. His work has been exhibited at the Gabarron Foundation in NYC, the Provincial Museum of Fine Arts Rosa Galisteo in Argentina, the Charles Krauser Reporting Art Gallery in Washington, DC, and the Tuyap Art Fair in Istanbul, Turkey, among other venues.