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Biography

gabriel sierra - Artists - Kurimanzutto

gabriel sierra

1975, San Juan Nepomuceno, Colombia

Through simple yet meaningful interventions with every day objects, Gabriel Sierra presents viewers with an anthropological study of the language of architecture. His work evidences a keen interest in the social codes that govern our interaction with built environments, with a particular focus on how these norms can be changed or subverted through the manipulation of architectural dynamics. By transforming these behavioral codes, his paintings, sculptures, and installations address issues related to the perception of daily life. He is also attentive to the subconscious influence that context and logic have upon our relation to space. For Sierra, there is a fine line between function, utility, and subjective thought, just as there is between design, architecture, and art. By manipulating the form and function of certain objects, he alters habitual expectations and associations. It is in this destabilizing potential that Sierra’s work achieves its most potent effects, both within the space and the mind of the viewer.

Gabriel Sierra received a degree in Industrial Design from the Universidad de Bogotá Jorge Tadeo Lozano in 1999. He has been an artist in residence at the KADIST in San Francisco (2012), Gasworks in London (2009), and CAC Brétigny in France (2006).

Gabriel Sierra lives and works in Bogota, Colombia.

Selected Works

Selected Works Thumbnails
untitled, 2006

apple and united states one dolar bill

variable dimensions 

 

 

untitled, 2006

apple and united states one dolar bill

variable dimensions 

 

 

untitled (intermission), 2012

playwood, plaster, and paint

variable dimensions 

 

 

untitled (intermission), 2012

playwood, plaster, and paint

variable dimensions 

 

 

untitled (estructura para transición #6), 2008

wood, screws

variable dimensions 

 

 

untitled (estructura para transición #6), 2008

wood, screws

variable dimensions 

 

 

untitled (síntesis para caverna), 2008

cardboard boxes, light bulb, enamel

13.78 x 10.43 x 3.94 in.; 10.43  x 6.5 x 3.94 in.

 

 

untitled (síntesis para caverna), 2008

cardboard boxes, light bulb, enamel

13.78 x 10.43 x 3.94 in.; 10.43  x 6.5 x 3.94 in.

 

 

badly explained rainbow, 2008

vinyl on wall

variable dimensions 

 

 

badly explained rainbow, 2008

vinyl on wall

variable dimensions 

 

 

untitled (estructura para transición #9. pense-bête), 2011

wood, screws

variable dimensions 

 

 

untitled (estructura para transición #9. pense-bête), 2011

wood, screws

variable dimensions 

 

 

untitled (estructura para transición #9. pense-bête), 2011

wood, screws

variable dimensions 

 

 

untitled (estructura para transición #9. pense-bête), 2011

wood, screws

variable dimensions 

 

 

untitled, (sugestión de conversación entre una ventana desnuda y paisaje indiscreto), 2010

metallic structure, wood and glass

variable dimensions 

 

 

untitled, (sugestión de conversación entre una ventana desnuda y paisaje indiscreto), 2010

metallic structure, wood and glass

variable dimensions 

 

 

untitled, (sugestión de conversación entre una ventana desnuda y paisaje indiscreto), 2010

metallic structure, wood and glass

variable dimensions 

 

 

untitled, (sugestión de conversación entre una ventana desnuda y paisaje indiscreto), 2010

metallic structure, wood and glass

variable dimensions 

 

 

untitled (abstract elephant), 2010

wooden structure

157.48 x 118.11 x 3543.31 in.

 

 

untitled (abstract elephant), 2010

wooden structure

157.48 x 118.11 x 3543.31 in.

 

 

untitled (marginalia), 2011

wood, plaster, paint

variable dimensions 

 

 

untitled (marginalia), 2011

wood, plaster, paint

variable dimensions 

 

 

untitled (el día como hueco en la mitad de la noche), 2011

wood floor

variable dimensions 

 

 

untitled (el día como hueco en la mitad de la noche), 2011

wood floor

variable dimensions 

 

 

untitled (el día como hueco en la mitad de la noche), 2011

wood floor

variable dimensions 

 

 

untitled (el día como hueco en la mitad de la noche), 2011

wood floor

variable dimensions 

 

 

untitled (reducción de una vivienda al tamaño de una puerta), 2008

wood, cardboard, pedestal

variable dimensions 

 

 

untitled (reducción de una vivienda al tamaño de una puerta), 2008

wood, cardboard, pedestal

variable dimensions 

 

 

hang it all, madrastra naturaleza series, 2003

set of 4 metal and fresh fruits

14.96 x 20.08 x 7.09 in.

 

 

hang it all, madrastra naturaleza series, 2003

set of 4 metal and fresh fruits

14.96 x 20.08 x 7.09 in.

 

 

untitled (cola de zorro), 2009

wood, screws and dry wall

variable dimensions 

 

 

untitled (cola de zorro), 2009

wood, screws and dry wall

variable dimensions 

 

 

estructura para transición #2, 2008

wood and screws

variable dimensions 

 

 

estructura para transición #2, 2008

wood and screws

variable dimensions 

 

 

estructura para transición #2, 2008

wood and screws

variable dimensions 

 

 

estructura para transición #2, 2008

wood and screws

variable dimensions 

 

 

untitled (mattress, drying rack, cheap white folding chair and two expensive black folding chairs), 2013

mattress, drying rack and folding chairs in drywall

variable dimensions

 

 

untitled (mattress, drying rack, cheap white folding chair and two expensive black folding chairs), 2013

mattress, drying rack and folding chairs in drywall

variable dimensions

 

 

untitled, estructuras para transición #8, (argumentos sobre miedo al futuro o urbanismo para nubes), 2008-2010

wood, cables and screws

variable dimensions 

 

 

untitled, estructuras para transición #8, (argumentos sobre miedo al futuro o urbanismo para nubes), 2008-2010

wood, cables and screws

variable dimensions 

 

 

untitled (estructura para transición #9. pense-bête), 2011

wood, screws

variable dimensions

 

 

untitled (estructura para transición #9. pense-bête), 2011

wood, screws

variable dimensions

 

 

untitled (estructura para transición #9. pense-bête), 2011

wood, screws

variable dimensions

 

 

untitled (estructura para transición #9. pense-bête), 2011

wood, screws

variable dimensions

 

 

untitled (4 espantapájaros), 2, 2013

set of 4, glued hay, painted gesso

16.02 x 11.02 x 2.76 in. each

 

 

untitled (4 espantapájaros), 2, 2013

set of 4, glued hay, painted gesso

16.02 x 11.02 x 2.76 in. each

 

 

untitled (¿por qué 2013 es tan parecido a 2012? #3), 2013

set of 2. found objetc and wood, paint, mechanism

3.35 x 16.42 x 13.98 in. at 34.06 in. from the floor; 7.48 x 23.62 x 16.14 in. at 34.06 in. from the floor

 

 

untitled (¿por qué 2013 es tan parecido a 2012? #3), 2013

set of 2. found objetc and wood, paint, mechanism

3.35 x 16.42 x 13.98 in. at 34.06 in. from the floor; 7.48 x 23.62 x 16.14 in. at 34.06 in. from the floor

 

 

untitled (¿por qué 2013 es tan parecido a 2012?), 2013

set of 2 pieces. wood, paint, mechanism, glued hay, painted gesso and apples

11.22 x 16.93 x 2.95 in. at 50.06 in. from the floor; 11.81 x 15.75 x 15.75 in. at 44.49 in. from the floor

 

 

untitled (¿por qué 2013 es tan parecido a 2012?), 2013

set of 2 pieces. wood, paint, mechanism, glued hay, painted gesso and apples

11.22 x 16.93 x 2.95 in. at 50.06 in. from the floor; 11.81 x 15.75 x 15.75 in. at 44.49 in. from the floor

 

 

quasi-quadrado, 2010-2011

gray acrylic painting on wood, magnets and fabric hinges

variable dimensions 

 

 

quasi-quadrado, 2010-2011

gray acrylic painting on wood, magnets and fabric hinges

variable dimensions 

 

 

untitled (retruécano), 2013

set of 7. plumb pipes, copper pipes, paint, nylon

variable dimensions 

 

 

untitled (retruécano), 2013

set of 7. plumb pipes, copper pipes, paint, nylon

variable dimensions 

 

 

untitled (retruécano), 2013

set of 7, plumb pipes, copper pipes, paint, nylon

variable dimensions 

 

 

untitled (retruécano), 2013

set of 7, plumb pipes, copper pipes, paint, nylon

variable dimensions 

 

 

untitled, estructura para transición #11 (buenos días le corbusier, buenas noches neufert), 2013

oak wood, drywall, gesso

variable dimensions

 

 

untitled, estructura para transición #11 (buenos días le corbusier, buenas noches neufert), 2013

oak wood, drywall, gesso

variable dimensions

 

 

untitled (funda) 4, 2014

set of 3 pieces, wood, fabric, magnets, enamel paint and glued hay

variable dimensions 

 

 

untitled (funda) 4, 2014

set of 3 pieces, wood, fabric, magnets, enamel paint and glued hay

variable dimensions 

 

 

untitled (el sol después de national geographic), 2012

set of 9 wooden boxes, yellow acrylic painting and fabric hinges

53.94 x 177.17 x 94.49 in.

 

 

untitled (el sol después de national geographic), 2012

set of 9 wooden boxes, yellow acrylic painting and fabric hinges

53.94 x 177.17 x 94.49 in.

 

 

untitled, 2015

glued hay and resin

35.43 x 31.5 x 3.15 in.

 

 

untitled, 2015

glued hay and resin

35.43 x 31.5 x 3.15 in.

 

 

untitled, 2006

apple and united states one dolar bill

variable dimensions 

 

 

untitled, 2006

apple and united states one dolar bill

variable dimensions 

 

 

untitled (intermission), 2012

playwood, plaster, and paint

variable dimensions 

 

 

untitled (intermission), 2012

playwood, plaster, and paint

variable dimensions 

 

 

untitled (estructura para transición #6), 2008

wood, screws

variable dimensions 

 

 

untitled (estructura para transición #6), 2008

wood, screws

variable dimensions 

 

 

untitled (síntesis para caverna), 2008

cardboard boxes, light bulb, enamel

13.78 x 10.43 x 3.94 in.; 10.43  x 6.5 x 3.94 in.

 

 

untitled (síntesis para caverna), 2008

cardboard boxes, light bulb, enamel

13.78 x 10.43 x 3.94 in.; 10.43  x 6.5 x 3.94 in.

 

 

badly explained rainbow, 2008

vinyl on wall

variable dimensions 

 

 

badly explained rainbow, 2008

vinyl on wall

variable dimensions 

 

 

untitled (estructura para transición #9. pense-bête), 2011

wood, screws

variable dimensions 

 

 

untitled (estructura para transición #9. pense-bête), 2011

wood, screws

variable dimensions 

 

 

untitled (estructura para transición #9. pense-bête), 2011

wood, screws

variable dimensions 

 

 

untitled (estructura para transición #9. pense-bête), 2011

wood, screws

variable dimensions 

 

 

untitled, (sugestión de conversación entre una ventana desnuda y paisaje indiscreto), 2010

metallic structure, wood and glass

variable dimensions 

 

 

untitled, (sugestión de conversación entre una ventana desnuda y paisaje indiscreto), 2010

metallic structure, wood and glass

variable dimensions 

 

 

untitled, (sugestión de conversación entre una ventana desnuda y paisaje indiscreto), 2010

metallic structure, wood and glass

variable dimensions 

 

 

untitled, (sugestión de conversación entre una ventana desnuda y paisaje indiscreto), 2010

metallic structure, wood and glass

variable dimensions 

 

 

untitled (abstract elephant), 2010

wooden structure

157.48 x 118.11 x 3543.31 in.

 

 

untitled (abstract elephant), 2010

wooden structure

157.48 x 118.11 x 3543.31 in.

 

 

untitled (marginalia), 2011

wood, plaster, paint

variable dimensions 

 

 

untitled (marginalia), 2011

wood, plaster, paint

variable dimensions 

 

 

untitled (el día como hueco en la mitad de la noche), 2011

wood floor

variable dimensions 

 

 

untitled (el día como hueco en la mitad de la noche), 2011

wood floor

variable dimensions 

 

 

untitled (el día como hueco en la mitad de la noche), 2011

wood floor

variable dimensions 

 

 

untitled (el día como hueco en la mitad de la noche), 2011

wood floor

variable dimensions 

 

 

untitled (reducción de una vivienda al tamaño de una puerta), 2008

wood, cardboard, pedestal

variable dimensions 

 

 

untitled (reducción de una vivienda al tamaño de una puerta), 2008

wood, cardboard, pedestal

variable dimensions 

 

 

hang it all, madrastra naturaleza series, 2003

set of 4 metal and fresh fruits

14.96 x 20.08 x 7.09 in.

 

 

hang it all, madrastra naturaleza series, 2003

set of 4 metal and fresh fruits

14.96 x 20.08 x 7.09 in.

 

 

untitled (cola de zorro), 2009

wood, screws and dry wall

variable dimensions 

 

 

untitled (cola de zorro), 2009

wood, screws and dry wall

variable dimensions 

 

 

estructura para transición #2, 2008

wood and screws

variable dimensions 

 

 

estructura para transición #2, 2008

wood and screws

variable dimensions 

 

 

estructura para transición #2, 2008

wood and screws

variable dimensions 

 

 

estructura para transición #2, 2008

wood and screws

variable dimensions 

 

 

untitled (mattress, drying rack, cheap white folding chair and two expensive black folding chairs), 2013

mattress, drying rack and folding chairs in drywall

variable dimensions

 

 

untitled (mattress, drying rack, cheap white folding chair and two expensive black folding chairs), 2013

mattress, drying rack and folding chairs in drywall

variable dimensions

 

 

untitled, estructuras para transición #8, (argumentos sobre miedo al futuro o urbanismo para nubes), 2008-2010

wood, cables and screws

variable dimensions 

 

 

untitled, estructuras para transición #8, (argumentos sobre miedo al futuro o urbanismo para nubes), 2008-2010

wood, cables and screws

variable dimensions 

 

 

untitled (estructura para transición #9. pense-bête), 2011

wood, screws

variable dimensions

 

 

untitled (estructura para transición #9. pense-bête), 2011

wood, screws

variable dimensions

 

 

untitled (estructura para transición #9. pense-bête), 2011

wood, screws

variable dimensions

 

 

untitled (estructura para transición #9. pense-bête), 2011

wood, screws

variable dimensions

 

 

untitled (4 espantapájaros), 2, 2013

set of 4, glued hay, painted gesso

16.02 x 11.02 x 2.76 in. each

 

 

untitled (4 espantapájaros), 2, 2013

set of 4, glued hay, painted gesso

16.02 x 11.02 x 2.76 in. each

 

 

untitled (¿por qué 2013 es tan parecido a 2012? #3), 2013

set of 2. found objetc and wood, paint, mechanism

3.35 x 16.42 x 13.98 in. at 34.06 in. from the floor; 7.48 x 23.62 x 16.14 in. at 34.06 in. from the floor

 

 

untitled (¿por qué 2013 es tan parecido a 2012? #3), 2013

set of 2. found objetc and wood, paint, mechanism

3.35 x 16.42 x 13.98 in. at 34.06 in. from the floor; 7.48 x 23.62 x 16.14 in. at 34.06 in. from the floor

 

 

untitled (¿por qué 2013 es tan parecido a 2012?), 2013

set of 2 pieces. wood, paint, mechanism, glued hay, painted gesso and apples

11.22 x 16.93 x 2.95 in. at 50.06 in. from the floor; 11.81 x 15.75 x 15.75 in. at 44.49 in. from the floor

 

 

untitled (¿por qué 2013 es tan parecido a 2012?), 2013

set of 2 pieces. wood, paint, mechanism, glued hay, painted gesso and apples

11.22 x 16.93 x 2.95 in. at 50.06 in. from the floor; 11.81 x 15.75 x 15.75 in. at 44.49 in. from the floor

 

 

quasi-quadrado, 2010-2011

gray acrylic painting on wood, magnets and fabric hinges

variable dimensions 

 

 

quasi-quadrado, 2010-2011

gray acrylic painting on wood, magnets and fabric hinges

variable dimensions 

 

 

untitled (retruécano), 2013

set of 7. plumb pipes, copper pipes, paint, nylon

variable dimensions 

 

 

untitled (retruécano), 2013

set of 7. plumb pipes, copper pipes, paint, nylon

variable dimensions 

 

 

untitled (retruécano), 2013

set of 7, plumb pipes, copper pipes, paint, nylon

variable dimensions 

 

 

untitled (retruécano), 2013

set of 7, plumb pipes, copper pipes, paint, nylon

variable dimensions 

 

 

untitled, estructura para transición #11 (buenos días le corbusier, buenas noches neufert), 2013

oak wood, drywall, gesso

variable dimensions

 

 

untitled, estructura para transición #11 (buenos días le corbusier, buenas noches neufert), 2013

oak wood, drywall, gesso

variable dimensions

 

 

untitled (funda) 4, 2014

set of 3 pieces, wood, fabric, magnets, enamel paint and glued hay

variable dimensions 

 

 

untitled (funda) 4, 2014

set of 3 pieces, wood, fabric, magnets, enamel paint and glued hay

variable dimensions 

 

 

untitled (el sol después de national geographic), 2012

set of 9 wooden boxes, yellow acrylic painting and fabric hinges

53.94 x 177.17 x 94.49 in.

 

 

untitled (el sol después de national geographic), 2012

set of 9 wooden boxes, yellow acrylic painting and fabric hinges

53.94 x 177.17 x 94.49 in.

 

 

untitled, 2015

glued hay and resin

35.43 x 31.5 x 3.15 in.

 

 

untitled, 2015

glued hay and resin

35.43 x 31.5 x 3.15 in.

 

 

gabriel sierra - Artists - Kurimanzutto

notable solo exhibitions

His most important solo exhibitions include: Horas de museo, kurimanzutto, Mexico City (2019); Subito dopo l’oggetto più distante, Galleria Franco Noero, Turin, Italy (2019); Matriz do Tiempo Real, Museu de Arte Contemporânea da Universidade de Sao Paulo, Brazil (2018); The First Impressions of the Year 2018 (During the early days of the year 2017), Association of Visual Artists Vienna Secession, Austria (2017); NOTICE: the title of the exhibition will change every hour. 10:00am: Monday Impressions. 11:00am: How the Outside Leaks into the Room. 12:00­pm: Smells Like 100 Years Old. 1:00pm: The Room Is in My Eye. The Space under My Body. 2:00pm: In the Meantime, (This Place Will Be Empty after 5:00 pm). 3:00pm: An Actual Location for This Moment. 4:00pm: Few Will Leave Their Place to Come Here for Some Minutes. 5:00pm: Did You Know Who Built Your House? The Renaissance Society at the University of Chicago, United States (2015); Numbers in a Room, SculptureCenter, New York (2015); Gabriel Sierra. Before Present, Kunsthalle Zürich, Switzerland (2015); Thus Far, Peep-Hole c/o Fonderia Battaglia, Milan (2013); (          ), KADIST, San Francisco, United States (2012); Gabriel Sierra, Centro Cultural do Banco do Brasil (CCBB), São Paulo, Brazil (2012); Compuesto Verde, CAC Brétigny, France (2006); Día de Frutas y Nubes Negras (Stepmothernature_series),  El Bodegón (arte contemporáneo - vida social), Bogota, Colombia (2006); Amorfo-sin título, Espacio La Rebeca, Bogota, Colombia (2004); NO DIGA SI DIGA OUI, Objetos y Estructuras Parafuncionales, Alianza Francesa, Bogota, Colombia (2004).

selected group exhibitions and biennials

His work has also been included in group exhibitions such as: Fuga, CCS Bard, Hessel Museum of Art/Bard College, Annandale-on-Hudson, NY, United States (2023); La buena vida. Obras de la colección del Banco de la República, Museo de Arte Moderno de Medellín (MAMM), Colombia (2023); TODOS JUNTOS (All Together), kurimanzutto, New York (2022); Moment.Monument, Kunst Museum Winterthur, Switzerland (2021); Stories of Abstraction: Contemporary Latin American Art in the Global Context, Phoenix Art Museum, AZ (2020);  Amulet or He calls it chaos, The David Ireland House, San Francisco (2019); Latinoamérica: volver al futuro, MALBA Museo de Arte Latinoamericano de Buenos Aires, Argentina (2018); Spaces Without Drama or Surface is an Illusion, But So Is Depth, Graham Foundation for Advanced Studies in the Fine Arts, Chicago, United States (2017);
 We’ve Got Mail III. MOSTYN, Wales, United Kingdom (2016);
 El Orden Natural de las Cosas. Museo Jumex, Mexico City (2016); Under the Same Sun: Art from Latin America Today, South London Gallery (2016); Do Objeto para o Mundo, Centro Cultural do Banco do Brasil (CCBB), Bello Horizonte, Brazil (2015); Panorama, (commissioned by High Line Art), New York (2015); CRU–Comida,  Transformação e Arte, Centro Cultural do Banco do Brasil (CCBB), Brasilia, Brazil (2015); Under the Same Sun, Guggenheim Museum, New York and Museo Jumex, Mexico City (2014); El Ojo en el Tiempo, Obras de la colección Adrastus, Museo de Arte Carrillo Gil, Mexico City (2013); Ways of Working: the incidental object, Fondazione Merz, Turin, Italy (2013); Block, Pillar, Slab, Beam, Aspen Art Museum, United States (2012); among others.

He has participated in various biennials, including: 2013 Carnegie International, Pittsburgh, United States; 9th Shanghai Biennale, China (2012); 2012 New Museum Triennial: The Ungovernables, New York; 12 İstanbul Bienali, Turkey (2011); 11e Biennale de Lyon, France (2011); 28a Bienal de São Paulo, Brazil (2008); 7 a Bienal do Mercosul, Porto Alegre, Brazil (2007).

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