Victor-John Villanueva (b.1977, USA) is a NYC based artist whose work takes elements prominent and stereotypical of the Queer space and highlights them in a way that is both accessible and challenging for the viewer. His primary medium is fusible beads, a children’s craft toy. Inherent in that selection is the choice to express himself in a way that is nostalgic and childlike, yet contemporary and sophisticated. By recreating images and objects, Villanueva aims to depict the haze through which our memories are filtered and abstracted.
EXHIBITIONS 2017 “Art In Boxes”, AG Gallery, Brooklyn 2016 “Coney Island Babies: Visual Artists from the Brooklyn Drag Scene”, Bureau of General Services – Queer Division, New York “Art Walk NY” benefiting Coalition for the Homeless, Metropolitan Pavilion, New York Gala Auction, Contemporary Art Museum St. Louis, St. Louis “Art In Boxes”, AG Gallery, Brooklyn 2015 “Wearable Matters”, 132 Bedford Avenue, Brooklyn “Design on a Dime” Auction, Metropolitan Pavilion, New York “Brooklyn Bulletin Wall Exhibition”, AG Gallery, Brooklyn “Art In Boxes”, AG Gallery, Brooklyn 2014 “Art Walk NY”, benefiting Coalition for the Homeless, Metropolitan Pavilion, New York “Scope” Art Fair, with Natalie Kates Projects, New York 2013 “Live Out Loud Annual Pride in the Hamptons Fundraiser”, East Hampton “Kevin Loves Cathrine”, C24 Gallery, New York “Scope Miami Beach” Art Fair, with QF Gallery, Miami “Visionaries” Gala, Museum of Art and Design, New York 2012 Group Show, Neoteric Gallery, Amagansett “Wearwithall”, QF Gallery, East Hampton 2009 “CULTtivate”, Diesel Store, Hong Kong 2007 Deitch Art Parade, Deitch Projects, New York PRESENTATIONS 2013 “3PTPOP” Art-Fashion Show, Yotel Hotel, New York 2010 Launch of Hand-painted T-shirt line, Debut NYC, New York BIBLIOGRAPHY / PRESS 2017 SVA News, Cover Art 2016 Ruth La Ferla: “They Dressed For Bill”, The New York Times, 20 October 2016, Thursday Styles, cover, Link 2015 Bill Cunningham: “Bagatelle”, The New York Times, 29 November 2015, Sunday Styles, p. 4, Link Jessica Holland: “The Opening for Björk’s MOMA Show Was Interesting”, vice.com, Link Christiane Nickel: “The Wearable Art of 3PTPOP”, posturemag.com, Link 2014 Rebecca Bratburd: “Visiting Armory Show’s Edgy Cousin”, The Wall Street Journal, 8-9 March 2014, p. A19, Link Street Magazine (Japan), December 2012, p. 65 “Hunting for the best looks outside Jeremy Scott”, 14 February 2014, newyorkmag.com/thecut, Link 2013 Bill Cunningham: “Evening Hours”, The New York Times, 27 October 2013, Sunday Styles, p.11 Lauren McCarthy: “Comme and Get It”, WWD, 13 May 2013 Brandon Stanton: “Humans of New York”, humansofnewyork.com “Best Dressed: The Armory Show 2013”, Whitewall.art “Plastic Perler beads as pop-art portrait necklaces”, designboom.com “Street Looks from New York Fashion Week”, Paris Vogue, en.vogue.fr 2012 Gail Anderson: “Pop Art, The Beaded Edition”, salon.com, Link Bill Cunningham: “Dare Devils”, The New York Times, 21 October 2012, Sunday Styles, p. 4, Link Leah Chernikoff: “The Most Hilarious, Heart Warming, ‘I ran into Karl Lagerfeld on the street story’, we’ve ever heard”, Fashionista.com, Link 2010 “Love It, Want It”, Paper Magazine, October 2010, p. 112 TELEVISION 2012 Wendy Williams Show 2011 Martha Stewart Show America’s Next Top Model EDUCATION 2001: BFA, School of Visual Arts, New York 1997-1998: Studies in Drawing and Painting, National Academy of Design, School of Fine Art, New York |