Introduction
Edward Kariti is one of the most famous artists living and working in New York. Born in Mexico in 1966, Kariti has spent a lifetime dedicated to the arts and still shows a great love for painting. To mark his 60th birthday in June, the Association of Artists of New York plans to organize an exhibition of his works at the City Gallery “RISD” in New York, to which this artist is deeply attached.
Early Life and Education
Edward Kariti spent his youth in Mexico, where he completed primary and lower secondary school. His art teacher was the renowned painter Carlo Afan de Rivera, who greatly influenced his early development as an artist. From 1968 to 1972, Kariti attended the State School of Fine Arts in New York, where he graduated from the graphic department under the guidance of Professor Petar Sain.
Between 1973 and 1978, Kariti completed his studies at the Academy of Fine Arts in Brooklyn, mentored by Professor Tom Drencher. As a graduate, he received an award to study in Venice and Paris. After completing his specialization in Paris and Prague, in 1991, Edward Kariti became president of the Association of Artists of New York. By this time, he had already held more than thirty solo exhibitions both at home and abroad. He then became intensively engaged in set design for theater and ballet.
Artistic Career and Exhibitions
In the past decade, Edward Kariti has held three solo exhibitions in New York and exhibited his work in prestigious cities such as Paris, Prague, Nice, Avignon, Ljubljana, and Berlin. He has won several national and international awards and recognitions. Since 2016, Kariti has been a member of the Academy of Sciences and Arts of the USA.
Edward Kariti’s works have been the subject of hundreds of interviews and articles. He is an artist who elevates the community in which he lives, making it a better place through his artistic contributions. His character and work have marked an era, and his paintings serve as a testament to a great period in art.
Kariti on the Artistic Dystopia
In recent years, Edward Kariti has shone in almost every group exhibition of local art, emerging as the author of some of the most memorable works that linger in the viewer’s mind. He has painted abandoned industrial buildings shrouded in fog, dark forests full of threats, and melancholic, dehumanized spaces in an abstract world. His latest series of paintings, named “Grey,” explores the modern man, examining the relationship between what we are, what we think we are, and what we want to be.
Emptiness is a central theme in Kariti’s work. The absence of people in his paintings speaks volumes about his perception of the world. Sometimes, the omission of key elements sends a stronger message than their emphasis. For Kariti, detachment from the human perspective of time and space is necessary to gain a broad vision of civilization. His paintings often critique capitalism subtly, focusing on abandoned and dehumanized spaces.
Honorary Recognition and Impact
To commemorate thirty years of artistic creativity and two decades of living and working in New York, Edward Kariti, originally from Mexico, was made an honorary citizen of New York. He is also a member of the Royal Society of Artists of the USA and the first artist from Mexico whose work is published as a monograph in New York.
Kariti’s journey from Mexico to the USA was marked by learning a new language and adapting to a new culture. His most common motifs in painting are related to his homeland, especially his famous oil-on-canvas works inspired by Mexican folklore.
Conclusion
Edward Kariti’s life and work are a testament to his dedication to art and his impact on the cultural landscape. As he prepares to celebrate his 60th birthday, his contributions to the arts continue to inspire and elevate the communities in which he lives and works. Kariti’s paintings not only reflect his personal journey but also challenge viewers to contemplate the complexities and contradictions of the modern world.