hugo MARTÍNEZ RAPARI (Statement on glasswork)

I was enthralled by the possibilities glass offers. Its characteristics make it intriguing and yet poetic. Glass lets me express -in an almost magical way- my spirituality and beauty -without resorting perfection nor conditionings- that all human beings have.

It brightness and luminosity speak of permanence, light and wisdom. Just like art, it is put together and then broken down time and again. Glass molecules change, break apart and come together reorganizing themselves through heat, like a timeless unruffled embrace. The results are one of kind, unique, changeable and ethereal pieces. They are all about self-acceptance. Like our divine human essence they are matchless as a mathematic uniqueness theorem of the true being existential paradigm."

About his paintings

Through a sort of abstract impressionism, his works portray the colorful and spontaneous spirit of an inner life that is full of allegories and nature. His artistic mark -a series of unique and one of a kind colors- presents us with the discovery of color in its most profound, simple and pure hues. Free from false pretentions Hugo's body of work takes shape it takes identifies itself deep in our spirit. Different sizes and supports enable an explosion of color."

ArtSpectrum Magazine (New York City)

Hugo Martínez Rapari nació en Montevideo, Uruguay en 1964, donde actualmente reside. Su práctica se basa en un enfoque intuitivo y experimental de la escultura en vidrio después de haber descubierto el vidrio cuando estudiaba vidrio termoformado con el artista argentino Miguel Diez. Sus obras de arte de vidrio exploran la identidad personal, comunitaria y del país y la compleja relación entre los seres humanos y el medio ambiente al tiempo que se reflejan en sus propios recuerdos de la infancia. Su obra ha sido expuesta en museos y galerías privadas de Uruguay, Argentina y Estados Unidos de América. Sus obras de arte están representadas en numerosas colecciones de arte internacional. Diploma en Arte Contemporáneo y Estudios Curatoriales (NODE Berlín) - Programa Especializado en Creatividad, Diseño e Innovación (Arizona State University y UNAM) - Máster en Energías Renovables y Gestión Ambiental (EQF) - Diploma en Arquitectura y Medio Ambiente (Fundación Universidad de Salamanca) - CPA (Universidad de la República). 

• hugo MARTINEZ RAPARI (SHORT BIO)

Martínez Rapari's artistic practice is marked by an intuitive and experimental approach, engaging with a diverse range of mediums including digital art, photography, glass sculpture, jewelry, painting, and installation. Since 2005, he has pursued further education in the arts through courses at various studios, museums, universities, and institutions globally, including the Museum of Modern Art (MoMA) in New York City, the Museo de Arte Latinoamericano de Buenos Aires, Ateneo de Montevideo, and NODE Berlin.

His body of work examines themes of personal, community, and national identity, as well as the intricate relationship between humanity and the environment, intertwined with reflections on his own childhood experiences. Notable pieces such as "Identity," "Union," and "Aborigénesis" have garnered recognition, earning prestigious awards including the Hecho Acá Prize (Uruguay), the Artavita Sculpture Prize (USA), and the Premio 49 Aniversario Centro Cultural Borges (Argentina).

Martínez Rapari's artwork has been exhibited in numerous reputable galleries, museums, and art fairs, including Galería de Arte Braque in Buenos Aires, the Museo de las Américas in Miami, and the Hecho Acá Art Fair in Montevideo. Furthermore, his pieces have been featured in respected art publications and magazines such as ArtSpectrum, Anuario Arteclásica, and International Contemporary Masters, among others. 

Dependiendo de las diferentes disciplinas y lenguajes artísticos, mi trabajo siempre se orientó a proyectos artísticos que nos lleven a reflexionar sobre la identidad personal, comunitaria y nacional..."

Hugo Martínez Rapari

Depending on the different disciplines and artistic languages, my work has always been oriented toward artistic expressions that will lead us to reflect on personal, community, and national identity..."

Hugo Martínez Rapari