Meet Gonzalo Fuenmayor | Artist

We had the good fortune of connecting with Gonzalo Fuenmayor and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Gonzalo, what is the most important factor behind your success?
Success is an elusive and slippery concept. It is hard to define, determine and grasp, since it is always changing. I always have in mind what my dad used to tell me whenever things were not going the way I wanted to… He would say something like “victory and failure only last a week; after this, no one will remember or care.” With these words as a soundtrack, the only thing left is to work hard every single day. For me, discipline and perseverance have been decisive in plowing through challenges and difficulties…

Alright, so let’s move onto what keeps you busy professionally?
Getting here hasn’t been easy. Becoming an artist has been an act of rebellion. Rebel against what you may ask? I would say rebelling against other people’s, society’s and my own expectations of what I should be. Becoming an artist, has been the most rewarding, fulfilling and scary experience I’ve experienced so far.

In order to rebel, I needed to work up my courage. The only way I knew how to do this, was by obsessively making/creating. Courage is fundamental in the creative process: courage to destroy, to create, to share, to expose oneself to others and to oneself. I consider myself a compulsive maker, and this has been my way of overcoming challenges and helping me build up the necessary courage. The discipline of constantly creating regardless if it is good or bad, has been the driving force during all these years.

I consider myself a late bloomer. Growing up, despite loving to draw and paint, Art wasn’t an option. As a way to avoid a conversation with myself, after graduating High school in Colombia, I began attending Business School. Half way through, incapable of keeping up with the farce, I decided to quit business and embrace a career as an artist. I had the life changing opportunity of pursuing a BFA at School of Visual Arts in NYC and an MFA at School of the Museum of Fine Arts in Boston. After art school, I taught for a while, and then settled in Miami… I’ve been in South Florida ever since, grateful and thankful for having the opportunity of being able to live as an artist.

Let’s say your best friend was visiting the area and you wanted to show them the best time ever. Where would you take them? Give us a little itinerary – say it was a week long trip, where would you eat, drink, visit, hang out, etc.
Miami has been home for the past 13 years.

I’ve seen the city bloom in unexpected and exciting ways throughout the years. I enjoy being outside in Miami, especially going to the beach in order to recharge. Besides the ocean, there is so much to do between biking at A D Barnes Park or Oletta Park, or enjoying a stroll/ picnic at Legion Park, or even going to play Tennis at Morningside Park.
As a Marlins fan, I enjoy games at the Marlins Baseball stadium…
My family loves Pizza at Lucali, cookies at Cindy Lou’s and Morelia popsicles. We love going out to Salumeria, Fioritos, Mandolin, Black Brick, Enriquetas, Sabor a Peru, but there are always new places popping up…

Going to PAMM, Rubell Collection or Espacio 23 is a must; as well as the plethora of galleries and artist run spaces around Little River, Little Haiti and Wynwood… In Miami there is always something fun to do.

The Shoutout series is all about recognizing that our success and where we are in life is at least somewhat thanks to the efforts, support, mentorship, love and encouragement of others. So is there someone that you want to dedicate your shoutout to?
There are so many people to acknowledge. First and foremost, I would start with my wife Catalina Gutierrez and my two sons: Martin and Manolo who have supported and inspired me throughout this process. My mom, dad and my brothers have also been there cheering me up since the start.

Looking back there is a whole ecosystem of relationships and friendships which have been helping, shaping and guiding my life in unexpected and meaningful ways… this includes friends, teachers, artists, my galleries, curators, collectors and institutions such as Oolite Arts among others.

Website: www.gonzalofuenmayor.com

Instagram: @gfuenmayor77

Twitter: @gfuenma

Image Credits
Diana Larrea Edson Smitter