Sergio Valenzuela (Valenz) (b. 1970):
Sergio Valenzuela, better known in the art world as Valenz, is a Guatemalan contemporary artist born in 1970 in Guatemala City. He is widely recognized for his poetic and symbolic use of everyday objects, transformed through a unique combination of drawing and painting techniques. Valenz’s visual language explores themes of human experience, growth, opportunity, and dreams, expressed through minimalist yet powerful compositions.
Valenz studied Communications and Education at Universidad Galileo in Guatemala and later became a professor, teaching creativity, graphic design, and advertising. His professional background also includes work as a graphic designer, art director, and creative consultant—roles that deeply inform his aesthetic, which bridges design precision with conceptual depth.
Artistic Style and Symbolism
Valenz’s work is marked by the clever use of commonplace objects such as chairs, ladders, and beds, often drawn in graphite on brightly colored acrylic backgrounds. These elements are more than motifs—they serve as visual metaphors:
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Chairs symbolize opportunities and patience, as seats we wait on or occupy when something is offered.
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Ladders represent the desire for personal growth and elevation, hinting at both literal and figurative ascension.
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Beds evoke dreams and introspection, symbolizing the private, internal space where transformation begins.
This minimalist iconography is rendered with a remarkable level of technical skill, blending hyperreal graphite with flat, vibrant color fields. The optical tension between the photorealistic object and the abstract background encourages the viewer to interpret space and narrative in personal ways.
Exhibitions and Recognition
Valenz has participated in over 150 exhibitions around the world, including solo and group shows across Latin America, Europe, and North America. His first major group show was at the Paiz Biennial in Guatemala City in 1992.
Notable highlights include:
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Finalist in the JUANNIO Latin American Art Competition on multiple occasions.
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Recipient of the “Young Artist Award” in 2005, which led to a scholarship to the prestigious École Nationale Supérieure des Beaux-Arts.
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Honored by the Mexican Embassy in 2007 as a guest artist in a tribute to Frida Kahlo.
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2011 Urban Excellence Award from Santo Domingo del Cerro in Antigua Guatemala.
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International auctions and art fairs have featured and sold his works to collectors worldwide.
Notable Works
Some of his most iconic pieces include:
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“Happy Landscape” – a whimsical composition where ladders, chairs, and beds float in harmony, suggesting a dreamlike landscape of potential.
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“Pirámides de Superbananos y Superfrijoles” – a surreal interpretation of Guatemalan staples elevated to iconic status.
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“Plato Púrpura con Siete Frijoles Blancos” – a delicate graphite drawing focused on the intimate symbolism of food.
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“Recuerdo del Bosque Lluvioso” – a triptych addressing themes of deforestation and the sacredness of nature.
Creative Process and Impact
Valenz’s process is meticulous. He often draws in graphite directly onto canvas, using traditional pencil techniques combined with modern painting. The absence of volume and depth in the color backgrounds gives way to intense focus on the object, allowing the narrative to emerge from what is often overlooked in daily life.
His work is not only technically sophisticated but also emotionally resonant. By turning the ordinary into something extraordinary, Valenz invites the viewer to pause, reflect, and find meaning in simplicity.
Today, Valenz is considered one of Guatemala’s most important living artists. His work continues to influence contemporary Latin American art, offering a unique voice that connects introspection, memory, and cultural identitythrough symbolic imagery.
- Guatemala
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