Hugo G. Urrutia is a multidisciplinary artist-designer who is interested in the cross-pollination between art and architecture. His artwork challenges the notion of what constitutes a piece of art. A graduate and active member of the Architectural Association in the United Kingdom, Urrutia’s work creates a distinct spatiality located at the interstice of art and architecture. His work explores and uses technology for design and fabrication, with a sensitive and conscious reminder of the creativity of human endeavor.
Urrutia is interested in conveying a strong concept and exploring different mediums by presenting his message in a very indirect format while creating a visual stimulation for the viewer. His latest series titled Flexible Rigids explores sculptural forms that simulate smooth harmonic movements of a flexible surface, initiating the process from a “rigid “surface.
"Using nature and geometry as a starting point, I am interested in the notion of a wave, a synchronized flock of birds, a silk fabric soothingly moving with the wind. Then I challenge myself to try to mimic these noble forms…This series derives from the repetitiveness of a simple component like the triangle. As a whole, it produces a sort of wavy effect in which I can play with the shades and shadows. By cutting a simple rigid colored plane in a precise way, my “canvas” becomes sculptural and organic...”
Born in 1974 in Mexico, Urrutia graduated from the Architectural Association in the United Kingdom where he earned a Master of Architecture in the Design & Make program. In 2000, he graduated from Texas Tech University, with a Bachelor of Architecture and Design and received the 2000 Outstanding Thesis Award. In 2004, he founded Decorazon Gallery in Dallas’ Bishop Arts District where he curates and exhibits numerous art exhibitions for national and international artists. His personal artwork has been exhibited worldwide.
EXHIBITIONS
2021-23 Artplex Gallery, Los Angeles, CA
2019 JoAnne Artman Gallery, Laguna Beach, USA
Contemporaneo Ashville, Ashville, USA
Canvas Hotel, Dallas, USA
Decorazon Gallery, New York, USA
2018 George Billis Gallery, New York City, USA
Ro2 Gallery, Dallas, USA
Reveal Art Fair, Saratoga Springs, USA
Aqua Art Fair, December. Miami, USA
Cube Gallery, Winter 2018 London, UK
SORAA, Frankfurt, Germany
2017 Decorazon Gallery, Dallas, USA
2016 Retrospect Galleries, Byron Bay, Australia
2015 Angela Royo Contemporary Art, Bogota, Colombia
2014 Decorazon Gallery, Dallas, USA
2012 Architectural Association Members’ Room, London
Angela Royo Contemporary Art, Bogota, Colombia
The Delicate Mayhem Gallery, London, UK
2011 Charlotte Jackson Fine, Santa Fe, New Mexico, USA
The Shop Gallery, New Orleans, USA
Ross Akard Gallery, Dallas, USA
La Lanta Fine Art, Bangkok, Thailand
The McKinney Avenue Contemporary, Dallas, USA
2010 University of Texas Dallas / Visual Arts Building, Richardson, Texas, USA
NYC ACRE/ Polytechnic Institute of New York University, USA
Decorazon Gallery, Dallas, USA.
The MAC, Dallas, Texas, USA
2009 Angela Royo Latin American Art, New York City, USA
2007 Decorazon Gallery, Dallas, USA
2006 Fusion Home Fashion, Frisco, Texas, USA
2005 State + Allen Lounge, Dallas, Texas, USA
2000 The College of Architecture Gallery, Texas, USA
1999 The College of Architecture Gallery, Lubbock, Texas
EDUCATION
2011-13 Architectural Association School of Architecture,
London & Hooke Park, UK
2012 Architectural Association-DLab Visiting School Programme (algorithmid design methodologies and digital fabrication techniques)
2000 Texas Tech University, Lubbock, Texas USA
Undergraduate Degree- Bachelor of Architecture & Design
1989-99 Escuela Tecnica Superior de Arquitectura de Valencia (ETSAV) – Universidad Politecnica de Valencia, Valencia, Spain – Internation architectural Exchange Programme
PROFESSIONAL EXPERIENCE
2013-15 RTKL Associates – Architectural Senior Designer – Dallas, USA.
2011 Droese Raney Architecture – Architectural Design – Dallas, USA.
2004 Founder and Creative Director of the DECORAZON gallery, Dallas, TX, August 2004 – present.
2006-09 Global Health Society - Photographer and creative
director (volunteer work) – Summer Haemophilia Camp, Villahermosa / Kolem-ha, Tabasco, Mexico
Droese Raney Architecture – Architecture Design – Dallas, USA
NPI DESIGN - Architectural Design – Dallas, USA
2003 Edwin Brantley Smith & Associates - Design & Project Management – Feb. 2002 – Oct. 2003 - Dallas, USA
2001 David Demarest & Associates Architects - Architectural Design – April 2001– July - Dallas, USA
1999 José Masía Arquitectos - Architectural Intern – January – June, 1999 - Valencia, Spain
1997 & 98 Wright and Dalbin Architects, Inc. - Architectural Intern – summers 1997 & 1998 - El Paso, Texas, USA
‘95 – 2000 College of Architecture – Texas Tech University – Visual Arts, Wood Shop, Architecture Library and Computer Lab Assistant – Lubbock, USA
PRESS AND PUBLICATIONS
2016 NANOTECTURE – Tiny Built Things – AA Cocoon – p. 033 Published by Phaidon Press Limited, 2016
2015 GREEN HIDDEN AND ABOVE– The Most Exceptional Treehouses – AA Cocoon – Preface 7 and p. 74 – 77 - Published by Braun Publishing AG, 2015
2014 HIDE AND SEEK – The Architecture of Cabins and Hide-Outs – AA Cocoon – p. 214 – 217 Published by Gestalten, Berlin 2014
2013 DETAIL Magazine – AA Cocoon - 26 June 2013 issue.
Dezeen Online Magazine – AA Cocoon¬-25 June 2013 issue.
2011 THE Magazine – The Mexican Tsunami – Cover – July 2011 issue.
Classical KHFM 95.5 & 102.9 – Live radio interview – July 9, 2011. Santa Fe, USA
NPR / KERA –Radio Interview by Jerome Weeks for ArtandSeek.net - “Living in the Arts District, Making Art, Ordering Room Service” / The Fairmont Dallas, Artist In Residence program - June 2011
D Magazine’s Front Row–Art Review: A Violent Memorial at The MAC, Dallas by Ryder Richards–May2011
Bangkok Post – Arts and Culture / coverage of the Wooden Postcards – Feb. 23, 2011
Milenium TV – Mexico satellite TV coverage of the Wooden Postcards exhibition – March, 2011
RCA Radio Station from Colombia – radio interview for the Wooden Postcards exhibition – March 2011
Life Style and Travel Magazine - coverage of the Wooden Postcards exhibition, Asia, 2011.
Fine Art Magazine – volume 8, No. 77 – March 2011 – Thailand
BK Magazine - March 2011 – Thailand
The Nation Newspaper - March 2011 – Thailand
Art de Siam TV – Thailand’s only English TV program - coverage of the Wooden Postcards exhibition.
2010 Modern Dallas Magazine – “Special Eye to Watch” – May 2010
2009 The Associated Press - “Farewell Shows For Mr. Bush”, interview and video, February 2009
Dallas Observer - “Farewell Shows For Mr. Bush”, interview and video by Jim Schutze, February 2009
Honey Magazine – “Art Echo” – review of “Crossing Bridges” exhibition – November 2009
2008 Conde Nast Traveler - “Word of Mouth”, December 2008 issue.
KERA – Art & Seek Blog - “Art Basel: Our Man in Miami, Part I”, December 2008
WRR 101.1 FM - “Art Matters”, interviewed by Quin Mathews, July, 2008
TV & FILM
Hacks, Season 1
SELECTED COLLECTIONS
First Abu Dhabi Bank – London Headquarters, London, UK
Beltane Asset Management - 108 Cannon Street – Lobby of building, London, UK
The Fairmont Dallas Hotel, Dallas, USA
Broad Oak Group International
H.E. Arturo Puente, Ambassador of Mexico to Thailand
Zang Triangle – Lang Partners, Oak Cliff, USA
John and Anne Mullen, Architect and founder of The Container Store
Leverage Financial Group, Headquarters, New York
Jorge Suarez Velez, CNN Financial Analyst / Latin America
Miriam Roebling-Suarez, Great-granddaughter of Washington A. Roebling - Brooklyn Bridge design & completion after his father John A. Roebling
Leah C. Couture Millinery, New York Office
Dr. Elba Garcia, Dallas County Commissioner
Mervyn Davies, Baron Davies of Abersoch, Chairman of the Royal Academy Development Trust