Julio Mendoza

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Painter / Sculptor

Julio Mendoza was born in Havana, Cuba, in 1962. He obtained a degree in Engineering at the Polytechnic University in Kirguistan (1986), founding and directing the first student theater at that Soviet school. Upon graduation, he returned to Cuba to work on the plans for constructing the Havana Metro. While working on that project, he came into contact with the historians, architects, and urbanologists beginning to work in the reconstruction of Old Havana, which had recently been declared patrimony of humanity by UNESCO. His interest in the fledging project led him to a degree in Urban Archeology from the Cuban Academy of Science (1992). After graduation in 1992, he participated in many of the original research and reclamation projects of the Archeology Office of Old Havana, including the spectacular Spanish fortifications of El

 Morro and La Cabaña aswell as the legendary Necrópolis de La Habana.

Meanwhile, Mendoza intensely pursued his life-long interest in painting and sculpture, eventually integrating his engineering skills and knowledge of Archeology with a sharp creative imagination and incisive point of view. He developed into one of the most sought-after young artists of the late eighties’ exciting Cuban Art scene, showing his work in the Bienal de La Habana in 1992 and, again, in 1994. As a result, he was invited to Paris, where he participated in two group exhibits, Chez Duchamp (1995) and
Colores de Emigración (1996). In 1996 he moved to Mexico City, further pursuing studies in art and restoration at the Esmeralda School of Fine Arts and the Xochimilco School of Art. In the year 2000, Mendoza had his first solo exhibits, Intercepciones and Julio Mendoza at E Gallery. While in Mexico, he also participated in a variety of group exhibits: Collage (1998), Reflejos (1999), Pintura Matérica (1999), and Salón de Dibujo (2000). Finally, he was one of the artists selected to be featured in the first Bienial de Arte de San Miguel Allende (2000).

In the year 2000, Julio Mendoza moved to New York to pursue a painter and sculptor career. Since then, his work has been exhibited in many galleries in the Northeast, Miami, and Canada as well as in several major group shows:

Latinart: the Visual Imaginary of Latinos, (Rutgers University, 2001); 4
Latinos, 4 Artists: 4 Visions (Fox Gallery, University of Pennsylvania, 2001); The Future is Now (Durst Organization, NY, 2004); and Intersection (Holcombe Green Gallery, Yale University), among others. In addition, he has had three solo exhibitions:
Human groups, (Jadite Gallery, NY, 2001), Face to Face (Augustin Gainza Gallery, Maimi, 2004), and Julio & Julia: Julio Mendoza and Julia Valdez: Modern Cuban Abstraction (Landair Gallery, NY, 2004). 

Mendoza has worked building sets for the 2003, 2004, and 2005 productions of the Metropolitan Opera’s Benbenuto Cellini, Cyrano de Bergerac, Romeo and Juliet, and Showman Fabrications (Queens, 2003), and Seventh on Sixth (2004). He was also the set designer and builder for the Mariana Beckerman Dance Company (2003 and 2004).

Mendoza’s artistic work continues evolving, and his work has been exhibited in galleries in New York, Havana, Miami, and Lancaster, PA. He currently lives and works in Las Vegas.

Julio Mendoza

Born in 1962, Havana, Cuba.
Currently lives and works in New York.

Education / Studies

1981 – 1986

Studies at Polytechnic University, Russia. Graduate/Engineering.

1990 – 1992

Studies at Academia de Ciencias de Cuba, Havana. Graduate/Urban Archeology.

1994 – 1996

Invitation to visit France to pursue art and gain exposure to European art and artists.
Participated in Exhibitions.

1996 – 2000

Mexico City, Mexico. Audited workshops at Esmeralda School of Fine Art; Xochimilco School of Art. Participated in Exhibitions.

Employment

Stanhope Iron Works at Morris Channel. Dr. Joel Grossman, 212 942 3314. Archaeological excavation, 2003-2004.

Showman Fabricators. 29 Imlay Street, Brooklyn, NY, 718 435 9899.
Shop carpenter, contractual, 2003.

The Metropolitan Opera, carpenter shop. Lincoln Center, NYC. 212 799 3100 x2003. Set builder, 2003.

Mariane Bekerman Dance Company. 718 445 4928.
Set designer and builder, 2003.

Cuban Art Space. 214 w 23rd Street. 212 242 0559. 2000–2004.
Handyman, carpenter

Armory, Print Fair. Remba Gallery.
Exhibition set-up and break down. 310 657 1101.

2002/2003

Jadite Gallery. 111 w 50th Street. 212 315 7740.
Handyman, framer. 2001– 2002

1992 – 1993

Archivist. Cabinete Archeology, Havana Viejo, Cuba.

Solo Exhibitions

2004

\”Julio & Julia.\” Julio Mendossa and Julia Valdez: Modern Cuban Abstraction. Landair, office gallery, NYC.
\”Face to Face.\” Agustin Gainza Gallery. Miami, Fla.

2001

\”HUMAN GROUPS,\” Jadite Galleries, New York City.
\”EROTICA,\” L\’Art Gallery, Toronto, Canada.

2000

“POEMA SOBRE LA ALMOHADA,” Eros Gallery, Guanajuato, Mexico.
“INTERCEPCIONES,” Tabasco Gallery, D.F., Mexico.

1994

\”ALTA TENSION,\” Diago Gallery, Havana, Cuba.
“24 SOPORTES,” El Rastrillo Gallery, Fortaleza del Morro, Havana.

Group Exhibitions

2002

\”LATINART: The Visual Imagery of Latinos in New Jersey,\” Kenkeleba Gallery, NYC.
\”4 Latinos, 4 Artists: Contemporary Visions,\” Fox Gallery, Logan Hall, University of Pennsylvania.

2001

Myhelam Cultural Art Center, Long Valley, New Jersey.
NJIT, School of Architecture Gallery, Newark, New Jersey.
\”LATINART: The Visual Imaginary of Latinos,\” Rutgers University, New Jersey.
Alba Gallery, New London, Connecticut.

2000

“PRIMERA BIENAL DE ARTE,” San Miguel de Allende, Guanajuato, Mexico.
“SALON DE DIBUJO,” Esmeralda National Arts School, Tabasco Art Gallery, D.F., Mexico.

1999

“PINTURA MATERICA,” Workshop, Modern Art Museum, D.F., Mexico.
“REFLEJOS,” Juan Rulfo Gallery, D.F., Mexico.

1998

\”COLLAGE,\” Café Gallery, D.F., Mexico.

1996

\”COLORES DE EMIGRACION,\” Retail Mayor\’s office, Paris, France.

1995

“CHEZ DUCHAMP,” Rue DuChamp, Street Exhibition, 13me Arr., Paris, France.

1993

“DESPUES DEL MURO,” Casa de la Cultura de Alamar, Havana.

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