With a life spanning Mexico to New York, and a career rooted in decades of critically acclaimed exhibitions, Edward Kariti has become far more than a celebrated painter—he is a cultural voice, a witness of civilization, and an interpreter of space, absence, and emotion.
At 59, on the cusp of his 60th birthday, Kariti’s art continues to appear in galleries across the U.S. and Europe, while his insights resonate with emerging and established artists alike. Whether he’s painting empty urban ruins, fog-soaked industrial ghosts, or deeply personal visions of his homeland, Kariti’s work invites silence, stillness, and thought.
From this, he has drawn a set of personal truths. Here is Edward Kariti’s advice—to artists, thinkers, and anyone seeking to create meaning in a fragmented world.
🎨 1. “Absence can speak louder than presence.”
In a world obsessed with stimulation, Kariti reminds us of the power of what’s not shown. In his series Grey, he portrays urban and natural landscapes devoid of people—intentionally so.
“Omitting the obvious forces us to see what we overlook,” he says. “Sometimes, what isn’t there is the most important thing.”
Advice: Don’t feel pressured to over-explain or fill every space. Embrace emptiness. In art—and life—what’s missing often reveals the truth.
🕰️ 2. “Art should disturb comfort and comfort the disturbed.”
Kariti doesn’t paint to decorate. He paints to ask questions, challenge norms, and explore inner complexity. While he doesn’t call himself a political artist, his surreal, dehumanized landscapes reflect a deep unease with the emptiness of modern capitalist society.
“I don’t want applause. I want reflection,” he explains. “If someone stands before one of my paintings and feels just a little unsettled—I’ve succeeded.”
Advice: Art doesn’t need to shout—but it should say something. Let your work challenge both the viewer and yourself.
🏛️ 3. “Your roots are a resource—carry them into every canvas.”
Although he’s lived in New York for over two decades, Kariti never forgot Mexico. His work is infused with folklore, color, silence, and rhythm drawn from his homeland. Even his architectural emptiness carries the echo of adobe walls and desert winds.
“I left Mexico. But Mexico never left me,” he says.
Advice: Whether you’re an artist, a writer, or a builder—your story matters. Use your cultural heritage not as a cage, but as a palette.
🗣️ 4. “Recognition is beautiful—but purpose is everything.”
Kariti has earned countless awards, solo exhibitions, and honors—including being named an honorary citizen of New York and a member of the Royal Society of Artists of the USA. Still, he considers these milestones “moments, not destinations.”
“The canvas asks the same question every day: Who are you now, and what do you see?”
Advice: Achievements fade. What endures is the honesty of your process and the integrity of your work.
📌 Final Thought
Whether painting surreal spaces between dreams and cities, or reflecting on the strange beauty of silence, Edward Kariti invites us to live—and create—beyond the surface.
“To paint is to translate the soul,” he says. “And the soul is never loud. It waits to be heard in the quiet.”