biography
Miguel del Rey Vergara, a Madrid-born figurative artist. After completing his Bachelor of Fine Arts at the Academy of Art University in San Francisco, CA, Miguel further honed his skills by earning a Sculpture Certificate from the Iconic institution, The Art Students League of New York. Miguel was also invited through a scholarship to become a member of the renown Salmagundi Club. His passion and dedication to his craft led him to receive the Franco Zeffirelli Foundation & Columbus Foundation Award scholarship for studying sculpture at the Academia di Belle Arti Carrara in Italy.
Since 2015, Miguel has been sharing his expertise and artistic vision as both a practicing and teaching artist in New York City. His artwork has gained recognition in numerous exhibitions, including the Figurativas 2019 Purchase Award from the European Museum of Modern Art, the Art Renewal Center Salon 2019 Finalist award, the Walter & Michael Lantz Prize in the Richard McDermott Miller Sculpture Competition, from the American National Sculpture Society, and the Ann & Bruno Lucchesi Foundation's Grant. Miguel's remarkable talent led him to be selected as a semi-finalist from a vast pool of thousands of submissions for the Outwin-Boochever Portrait Competition hosted by the prestigious Smithsonian National Portrait Gallery in Washington D.C
In 2020, Miguel embarked on a new artistic journey by relocating to Tokyo. There, he continues to expand his creative horizons by learning oriental sculptural techniques and fully immersing himself in the rich Japanese art scene and culture. His participation as a finalist in the Yukuhashi International Sculpture Competition further showcases his ability to adapt and excel in diverse artistic environments.
Miguel del Rey Vergara's unique blend of artistic talent, dedication, and global experiences have culminated in a compelling body of work that captures the essence of human emotion through form, leaving a lasting impact on audiences worldwide.
artist statement
The artist's practice is rooted in profound reverence for the human figure, marrying the intricate and expressive qualities inherent to our physical forms. Central to this exploration is the nude figure, a potent symbol that amplifies the essence of humanity by stripping away the trappings of identity, time, and place. Through a masterful fusion of realism and abstraction, the artist orchestrates a captivating dialogue between the depicted and the cropped or simplified aspects, crafting a mesmerizing narrative that seizes the viewer's imagination.
Utilizing the tactile and expressive nature of clay as the medium, the artist encourages viewers to intimately engage with the work, exploring the subtleties and nuances of the human form.
Throughout this journey, the artist meticulously cultivates a harmonious equilibrium of rhythm, composition, tension, and tranquility, underpinned by an unwavering confidence that breathes life into each piece. Guided by a meditative connection and intuitive insight, the artist's creative process transcends mere physical manipulation, evolving into an intimate spiritual odyssey.
Embarking on the creative process, the artist engages real models, drawing from their authentic expressions and movements to infuse the sculptures with a genuine sense of life. By executing naturalistic and harmonious proportions, the artist strives to capture not only the physical likeness of the subjects but also the essence of their spirit, transcending the constraints of language and evoking a profound sense of connection with the viewer. This approach fosters a profound emotional connection with the model's personality, empowering the artist to interpret and translate the subtleties of body language into the very essence of the clay.
By masterfully weaving elements from diverse artistic traditions, the artist creates visually arresting symphonies that celebrate the beauty of the human condition. At the core of the artistic practice is the belief that the human form represents an inexhaustible wellspring of inspiration, capable of expressing tangible representations of complex emotions, experiences, and narratives.
The importance of the artist's sculptures hinges upon their aesthetic allure and the spiritual resonance they evoke. Delving into the artist's philosophy and intentions, viewers are invited to appreciate the work on a deeper level, unraveling the intricate layers of meaning nestled within each piece. Encouraging the audience to assess the art based on its visual splendor and emotional profundity, the artist's statement unveils a window into the profound connections that unite us all in our shared human experience.