Damian Kaliyeski

My painting follows a realist approach, yet it is the imperfections that give it a spiritual character, revealing themselves through the color and the forms that emerge during the process. My style varies depending on the atmosphere I seek to express, an atmosphere that first takes shape in my mind before materializing in the work.

I find inspiration in whatever uniquely captures my attention, as if it were an expression from beyond that needs to manifest itself in the material realm through me. I work with oil paint in a traditional manner, a technique that deeply connects me to my influences.

My academic training, art restoration, and my constant engagement with 19th-century painting are fundamental pillars of my artistic practice. These experiences have not only enriched my technical toolkit but also represent an endless source of reference and inspiration.

Born in 1975 in Buenos Aires. In his early art career, Chaval drew comics with an apocalyptic sense of humor wile studying fine art painting. In search of a new media of artistic creation, he started to paint on vinyl surfaces such as cushions and punching bags, witch has become an important body of his work. Since moved to New York in 1999, he has developed a series of works embodying his signature characters PIPU the Mutant butterfly, and PEPO the mutant walking pet. In April 2003, his work received Artist Achievement Award given by Charlotta Kotik, Curator and Chair of Department of Contemporary Art of Brooklyn Museum of Art.

Solo Exhibitions
2004 Excessive / Lunarbase, Williamsburg, NY
2003 PIPU & CHAVAL / Lunarbase, Williamsburg, NY
1998 Espacio Giesso / Bs As, Argentina / Chaval - Salamanko
1997 Espacio Giesso / Bs As, Argentina / Chaval – FuentesBo

International Group Exhibitions

2015 Brooklyn Biennial Submissional / Cotton Candy Machine gallery, Brooklyn NY

2015 Y un soplido se llevara tu asombro / Teatro 25 de Mayo, Buenos Aires

2014 Argentinean Affair / Lilac Gallery NY

2008 Buenos Aires Affair / The Gowanus Studio Space. 119 8th Street, Brooklyn

2008 A passion for Pixels / ISLIP Art museum, Long Island, NY
2005 Over the Top, Under the Rug / CICA The shore institute of the Contemporary Arts, New Jersey
2005 Funkadelicide / Broadway Gallery / SOHO, NY
2005 Nova Young Art Fair / West Loop, CHICAGO
2005 Link to the world, Lunarbase, Williamsburg, NY
2005 Art Miami 2005 / Miami Beach
2004 The CHARACTERISM "Link the World", Gallery Geki, Shimokitazawa, Tokyo
2004 CHARACTERISM, Free space gallery, Tokyo
2004 CHARACTERISM / Artist achievement award, WAH Center, Williamsburg, NY
2003 PALM BEACH CONTEMPORARY/ ART FAIR / Martin du Louvre Galery (Paris)
2003 The CHARACTERISM / Lunarbase, Williamsburg, NY
2003 CHARACTERISM / ...