Gerardo Rosales

Gerardo Rosales (USA, born Venezuela) is a visual artist based in Houston, Texas. Alongside his artistic practice, Rosales spent 23 years as an art educator in Houston, sharing his passion and knowledge with students while continuing to develop his own career. Originally self-taught, he later studied at the Armando Reverón Art Institute in Caracas, Venezuela, earning a bachelor’s degree in fine art. He then moved to London to pursue a master’s in fine art at Chelsea College of Art and Design.

Rosales has gained recognition for his unique and thought-provoking work, showcased in some of the most respected art venues across Latin America. His art delves into themes of class, race, gender, and sexuality, using a mix of humor and powerful storytelling to spark conversation.

His most recent projects include:

Fable Chaser (2024–25) at Nara Roesler, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
Shape-shifting Landscape (2024) at NADA House, Governors Island, New York City
Bayou Suite (permanent, opened 2024) in the art collection of Houston George Bush Intercontinental Airport, commissioned by the Houston Mayor’s Office of Cultural Affairs on behalf of the Houston Airport System
Bayou Blooms (permanent, opened 2024) in the art collection at Lockwood on the Bayou, commissioned by Buffalo Bayou Partnership.

With a diverse and ever-evolving body of work, Rosales continues to explore the intersections of culture, identity, and place, leaving a lasting impression through his engaging and dynamic artistic practice.

Curriculum Vitae

Education

1991–96

BA Honours, Fine Art Painting: Institute Armando Reveron, Caracas, Venezuela.

1996–97

MA, Fine Art Painting: Chelsea College of Art and Design, London, U.K.

1997–98

Associate Research Programme in Fine Art Practice, Theory, and Education: Chelsea College of Art and Design, London, U.K.

Art Residencies

2023

PAC Art Residency: Houston, Texas.

2019–2021

Lawndale Art Center, Houston, Texas.

2018–2019

Transart Foundation for Art and Anthropology, Houston, Texas.

Solo Exhibitions

2024–25

Fable Chaser: Nara Roesler Gallery, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil.

2024

Shape-shifting Landscape: NADA House, Governors Island, New York City.

Bayou Blooms: Lockwood on Buffalo Bayou, Buffalo Bayou Partnership, Houston, Texas.

Rio Chiquito: Houston Partnership Tower, Museum of Contemporary Art Houston, Houston, Texas.

2023

Juicy Jungle: Bill Arning Exhibitions, Houston, Texas.

2022

Ornamento y Delito: Carmen Araujo Arte Gallery, Caracas, Venezuela.

2021

¡Displaced Mundo!: Moody Center for the Arts, Rice University, Houston, Texas.

2019–2020

Undercover: Galveston Arts Center, Galveston, Texas.

2019

Looking for a Hero, or Whips, Whims, and Wigs; and Gio Ponti is Just an Excuse: Transart Foundation for Art and Anthropology, Houston, Texas.

2013

Mind Your Step: Avis Frank Gallery, Houston, Texas.

2011

Orden Invertido: Galería Carmen Araujo, Caracas, Venezuela.

2009

Desde la Cava: La Carnicería Gallery, Caracas, Venezuela.

1994

Transmutation: Gallery Casa Vieja, Caracas, Venezuela.

1989

Gerardo Rosales: Gallery Contini, Caracas, Venezuela.

Mi Mundo de Colores: Canning House, London, U.K.

One Night: Bolivar Hall, London, U.K.

1988

First Solo Show: Equal Data Gallery, London, U.K.

Group Exhibitions

2024

Bayou Suite: George Bush Intercontinental Airport, Houston, Texas.

2022

Untitled Art Fair: Miami, Florida.

2021

Withstand: Latinx Art During Times of Conflict: Holocaust Museum, Houston, Texas.

Carriers: The Body as a Site of Danger and Desire: Blaffer Art Museum, University of Houston, Houston, Texas.

Mine the Gap: Lawndale Art Center, Houston, Texas.

2020

Dallas Art Fair Online: Represented by Bill Arning Exhibitions.

ArteBA Art Fair Online: Buenos Aires, Argentina. Represented by Carmen Araujo Arte.

2019

Queer as in “Fuck You”: Alabama Song, Houston, Texas.

2017

Home Feelings: Project Row Houses, Houston, Texas.

2014

Lo Politico: Galería Carmen Araujo, Caracas, Venezuela.

2010

19 Contemporary Art Fair arteBA: Buenos Aires, Argentina.

Snack Projects featuring Gerardo Rosales, Lawndale Art Center, Houston, Texas.

2009

Pinta, The Modern and Contemporary Latin America Art Fair: New York. Represented by La Carnicería Gallery.

2005

Contemporary Venezuelan Art, Collección Cisneros: Centro de Arte Lia Bermudez, Maracaibo, Venezuela.

2001

Bienal del Caribe: Santo Domingo. Dominican Republic.

2000

Salon Naif et Primitif: Espace Saint Martin, Paris.

1999

57 Salon Arturo Michelena: Valencia, Venezuela.

IV Salon Pirelli: Museum of Contemporary Art “Sofia Imber,” Caracas, Venezuela.

II Salon CANTV, Young Artists: Gallery Los Espacios Cálidos, Ateneo de Caracas, Caracas, Venezuela.

1998

V.I.A.: Chelsea College of Art and Design, London, U.K.

6: The Nunnery Gallery, London, U.K.

Open Studios: Whitechapel Open, London, U.K.

1997

Salon Christian Dior: Caracas, Venezuela.

Degree Show of MA in Fine Art: Chelsea College, London, U.K.

Mid Show of MA in Fine Art: Chelsea College, London, U.K.

1996

La Mirada Diversa: Museo Jacobo Borges, Caracas, Venezuela.

New Contemporary: Gallery D’Museo, Caracas, Venezuela.

1995

Arte Actual Tachirense: Museo Jacobo Borges, Caracas, Venezuela.

53 Salon Arturo Michetena: Valencia, Venezuela.

II Salon of Young Artists Pirelli: Museo de Arte Contemporáneo, Caracas, Venezuela.

XX Salon de Arte Aragua: Museo de Arte Contemporaneo, Maracay, Venezuela.

1994

23 Concours International de Peinture Primitive Moderne: Gallery ProArte Kasper, Switzerland.

1993

Confluencias: Museo de Arte Popular de Petare, Caracas, Venezuela.

22 Concours International de Peinture Primitive Moderne: Switzerland.

1991

III Salon de Arte Colombo-Venezolano: Colombia–Venezuela.

1988

Salon Nacional de Arte Ingenuo: Barcelona, Venezuela.

Collections

McNay Art Museum, San Antonio, Texas

City of Houston, Civic Art Program

Houston Endowment

Houston Botanic Garden

Surpik Angelini, Transart Foundation, Houston, Texas

Patricia Phelps de Cisneros Collection

Bank of Venezuela

Awards

2019

Support for Artists and Creative Individuals (SACI) grant from the City of Houston, through the Houston Arts Alliance.

1999

Prize Herrera Toro, 57 Salon Arturo Michelena, Venezuela.

1998

Grant given by Cultural National Council, Venezuela.

1995

Prize Braulio Salazar, 57 Salon Arturo Michelena, Venezuela.

II Prize in Painting, Salon Nacional de Arte de Aragua, Venezuela.

1993

Prix Europe Coupe D’Or, 22 Concours International de Peinture Primitive Moderne, Switzerland.