Creating from a spontaneous place where, even if only for a brief moment through the camera lens, she exposes the essence of people and things in front of her, Calle experiments with photography, painting and non-conventional materials. Her travels in Thailand, India and China have been the latest subjects of her work, and have given way to collage, photo processing on wood, sculptures and installations.
Born in Manizales, Colombia in 1976, Claudia Calle is a mixed media artist based in Miami. Her passion for embracing the lifestyle of the places she visits inspires her work, fusing instinct with a conscientious study of the social and cultural intricacies of her surroundings.
Creating from a spontaneous place where, even if only for a brief moment through the camera lens, she exposes the essence of people and things in front of her, Calle experiments with photography, painting and non-conventional materials. Her travels in Thailand, India and China have been the latest subjects of her work, and have given way to collage, photo processing on wood, sculptures and installations.
Calle’s formal training in photography and graphic design lend a unique quality to her art. Her pervasive use of layering and repetition – most present in the People’s Republic of China series – reveals patterns similar to those on a brand name, designer handbag or monogrammed wallpaper. In combination with her thought-provoking portraits, which are superimposed upon this imagery, the fine art aspect of her work blends with commercial undertones, giving meaning to the medium and by extension, impacting her concepts as a whole.
Claudia Calle studied photography and graphic design at the Caldas University in Colombia (1993 – 1996), the Audiovisual Art Center in Mexico (1996 – 1997) and in the Miami AD School (2000-2002) and recently completed a Master in Spiritual Science (2010-2012)
Awards
• International Photography Awards – First Place- Fine Art/ Collage Pro (2010)
• Museum of Contemporary Art (MOCA) 5 Minutes of Fame (2009)
• International Photography Awards – two (2) Honorific Mentions (2009)
• Photographer’s Forum Top 100 Best Photography Worldwide (2002)
• Best photography Miami AD School (2002)
• Best of Show – Miami AD School Top Dog (2001)
• Premio Cámara de Cultura – Colombia – Best Photography (1997)
Exhibitions
2013 • 180th Years of Thai – U.S. Friendship “Everyday Life” Exhibition - USA Embassy, Bangkok, Thailand
2012 • Fotos de Mi Alma – 6th Annual Fundraising Gala - Mexican American Cultural Center, Austin, TX
2011• The Best of our World -The Rhythm Foundation Silent Auction – Little Haiti Cultural Center, Miami, FL
2011 • Greatness - Cristina Chacón Gallery, Coconut Grove, FL
2011 • Colombian Underground - Hardcore Art Contemporary Space (Miami) / Galería Christopher Pascal (Colombia), Miami, FL
2010 • International Kids Fund’s Wonderfund Latin America Auction - Project Miami Event Space, Miami, FL
2010 • *Claudia Calle (Solo Show) - Fabrika Art Space, Wynwood Arts District, FL
2010 • International Photography Awards “Best of Show” Exhibition - Splashlight Studios, Soho, New York
2010 • *The Road to Calle (Solo show) - Luis Perez Galeria, Wynwood Arts District, Miami, FL
2010 • International Juried Exhibition Honoring Mexico’s Bicentennial / RUTA - Bakehouse Art Complex, Miami, FL
2010 • 20×20 show - Area 23 Gallery, Wynwood Art District, Miami, FL
2010 • Motion - The Center for Fine Art Photography Gallery, Fort Collins, Colorado
2010 • Retrospective Exhibition Featuring 10 Years of Photography from Miami AD School - Luís Pérez Galería, Wynwood Art District, Miami, FL
2009 • *People’s Republic of China (Solo Show) - Fabrika Art Space, Wynwood Arts District, Miami, FL
2009 • Femmeart Miami - Coppertone Building, MiMo District, Miami, FL
2006 • Arteaméricas – The Latin American Art Fair - Coconut Grove, FL
2005 • Hardcore Menus: Samples & Dishes - Hardcore Art Contemporary Space, Wynwood Arts District, Miami, FL
2005 • Identity of a Scene - Rock Group, Wynwood Arts District, Miami, FL
2005 • Fresh - Miami Ad School, Miami Beach, FL
2005 • Roving Friday – Lemon Sky Project - Lombardi Properties, Wynwood Arts District, Miami, FL
2005 • Soraya / Music + Art + Poetry - Pawn Shop Lounge, Downtown Miami, FL
2005 • Art in Public Places - Wynwood Lofts, Wynwood Arts District, Miami, FL