ABOUT THE ARTIST

BIOGRAPHY:

Born in 1978, natural from Maricao, PR.

At the age of 17, he began university studies at the "Escuela de Artes Plásticas de Puerto Rico" (E.A.P.). In 2001, he completed a bachelor's degree in Visual Arts with a specialization in Painting, graduating “Suma Cum Laude” and receiving the "Dr. José R. Oliver" medal for his excellent academic performance. In 1998 during his time at the institution, he was awarded second place in the "Annual Student Exhibition" for his outstanding work.

In the years 2000 and 2001, the "Randy Barceló Foundation" granted him its eponymous scholarship for his remarkable contributions to the field of painting. In 2009, among other awards. he received scholarships from the "Karrvaz Foundation" and the "III Millenium Scholarships," allowing him to pursue various artistic projects in Albacete, Spain, for a one year period.

In 2017, following the impact of Hurricane "Maria" on the island of Puerto Rico, Fabián Detrés was compelled to temporarily pause his career as an artist, relocating to the United States and joining the ranks of the petroleum industry. After this enforced hiatus, he resumed his profession with the solo exhibition "42 and Reset" at the end of 2020.

Throughout his artistic career, Fabián Detrés has been involved in numerous local and international projects and exhibitions. He has also played a role in the creation and development of various culturally significant projects, with notable mention of the "Archivo Digital Histórico del Pueblo de Maricao".

ARTIST STATEMENT:

Since the beginning of my professional career in 2001, my work has been characterized by a constant and deliberate evolution, both in technique and concept. I believe that art should be a living and changing process, a direct response to the transformations of the psyche and the environment. The pursuit of a fixed "formula," for the sake of acceptance or comfort, represents for me the antithesis of creativity and growth. This philosophy has been the driving force behind my artistic practice and has allowed me to build a dynamic body of work, where each piece reflects my inner journey and my interaction with the world around me.

A fundamental principle that guides my work is the aphorism “Homo, nosce te ipsum” (Man, know thyself). This philosophical idea, which invites introspection as a path to truth, has shaped my creative approach for over two decades. My pieces are, in essence, visual explorations of this quest, channeling complex concepts through the intentional use of media and techniques tailored to each proposal.

In 2017, Hurricane Maria marked a turning point in my life and artistic practice. The devastation in Puerto Rico forced me to emigrate to Houston, Texas, where I worked in the oil industry alongside my brothers by blood and colleagues from multiple nationalities. This experience profoundly connected me with the theme of migration. During my time in the United States, I came to understand that migration, in its many facets, is essential for the continuity and evolution of life on planet Earth. This realization gave rise to series such as Migratory Birds and La Buena Fortuna, which address both human and natural movements, reflecting on the resilience and shared hopes that emerge in these transitions. La Buena Fortuna will be exhibited in early 2025, and Migratory Birds will be presented at the end of the same year.

Today, after more than two decades of constant search and transformation, my work finds itself in a stage of maturity that reflects the depth of my experiences and the richness of my conceptual concerns. This new phase consolidates years of aesthetic and discursive experimentation, allowing me to approach my themes with a more impactful sensitivity and focus, connecting with both local and international audiences.

EDUCATION:

2001 B.F.A., Painting (Summa Cum Laude) Escuela de Artes Plásticas de Puerto Rico (EAP), San Juan, PR

SELECTED SOLO EXHIBITIONS:

2023 Aleatorio, Fabián Detrés Fine Arts, Baldorioty 4, Maricao, PR

2021 42 and Reset, Fabián Detrés Fine Arts, Baldorioty 4, Maricao, PR

2005 Luz y Reflejos, Sagrado Corazón University Art Gallery, San Juan, PR

2004 El Ave y la Nada, West Gallery, Mayagüez, PR

2002 Piedra Filosofal, Cámara de Comercio de Puerto Rico, San Juan, PR

SELECTED GROUP EXHIBITIONS:

2024 El Papel como Lienzo, Sala de Exposiciones del Plata, Dorado, PR

          Encuentro Magno, The Art House PR, San Juan, PR

2022 18va Bienal de Arte de Ponce, Universidad de Puerto Rico Recinto de Ponce, Ponce, PR 

2021 Un lugar en el Mundo, Angora Industrial Park, Caguas, PR

           De Verde y Cordillera, Senatorial Gallery Antonio Fas Alzamora, PR Capitol, San Juan, PR

2013 Impresiones, Relieves y Resonancias, Museo Dr. Pío López Martínez, UPR, Cayey, PR

2010 Retorno, West Gallery, Mayagüez, PR 

2009 Sobre Papel, West Gallery, Mayagüez, PR

          200 dentro de 1, La Respuesta Gallery, San Juan, PR

2008 Pequeños Formatos: Otras Realidades, Foro Gallery, San Juan, PR

         Doscientos en Uno, Puerto Rico Convention Center, Isla Verde, PR

         ARWI 3rd International Art Fair, Puerto Rico Convention Center, Isla Verde, PR

         Exposición de la Colección Reyes-Veray, Museo de Arte Contemporáneo de Puerto Rico, SJ, PR

2007 Collateral Material, Latitude Modern and Contemporary Art, San Juan, PR 

         El Caballo en la Cultura Puertorriqueña, Museo de las Américas, San Juan, PR 

         Molaa Auction Exhibition 07, Museum of Latino American Art, Long Beach, California

         Cinco Artistas Puertorriqueños al Molaa, Latitude Modern and Contemporary Art, PR

2006 Pequeño Formato, Grandes Artistas, Primer Piso Gallery, San Juan, PR

2005 Décimo Aniversario 1995-2005, Sagrado Corazón University Art Gallery, Santurce, PR

         Certamen/Exposición de Fotografías Plaza las Américas, San Juan, PR

         Affordable Art, La Casa del Arte Gallery, San Juan, PR

         Apoyarte, Museo de las Américas, San Juan, PR

2004 VII Museo de Arte de puerto Rico, MAPR, San Juan, PR

          4 Generaciones de Pintura Abstracta Puertorriqueña, La Casa del Arte, San Juan, PR

2003 Fabián Detrés & Patrick McGrait, Obras Recientes, West Gallery, Mayagüez, PR

         Colectiva Prinardi, Prinardi Gallery, San Juan, PR

2002 2do Encuentro Latinoamericano de Artistas Plásticos, Asoc. Artistas Plásticos del Cusco, Perú

2001 Exhibición de Arte Moderno Contemporáneo Puertorriqueño, Spanish Cultural Center of Miami,         Florida

         Exposición Anual de Graduados de la EAPPR, Museo de las Américas, San Juan, PR

         Exposición Anual de Estudiantes, Escuela de Artes Plásticas de P.R., San Juan, PR 

2000 Colectiva de Pintura, Wyndham Hotel, San Juan, PR

1999 Exposición Anual de Estudiantes, Escuela de Artes Plásticas de P.R., San Juan, PR 

1998 Exposición Anual de Estudiantes, Escuela de Artes Plásticas de P.R., San Juan, PR

         Exposición de Grabados del 98, Escuela de Artes Plásticas de P.R., San Juan, PR

         Exposición Anual de Pintura, Escuela de Artes Plásticas de P.R., San Juan, PR

INTERNATIONAL ART SHOWS:

2022 18va Bienal de Arte de Ponce, Universidad de Puerto Rico Recinto de Ponce, Ponce, PR 

2011 XIII Concurso Nacional de Pintura del Natural Casas Ibáñez, C.S.P. Casas Ibáñez, Albacete, España 

2007 Molaa Auction Exhibition 07, Museum of Latin American Art, Long Beach, California, EU

2002 2do Encuentro Latinoamericano de Artistas Plásticos, Asoc. de Artistas Plásticos del Cusco, Perú 

2001 Exhibición de Arte Moderno Contemporáneo Puertorriqueño, Spanish Cultural Center of Miami, Florida

INTERNATIONAL ART FAIRS:

2009 Art Santa Fe International Contemporary Art Fair, Santa Fe Convention Center, California, EU

2008 ARWI 3rd International Art Fair, Isla Verde, PR

2007 CIRCA Puerto Rico International Art Fair, Collateral Material, Paralel Event, San Juan, PR

PUBLIC PROJECTS:

2005 Taxi-Galería Public Art Project, Yellow Media, San Juan, PR

SELECTED COLLECTIONS:

● Reyes-Veray Collection

● Cooperativa de Seguros Múltiples Collection

● Museum of Latin American Art (MOLAA)

● Hernández Castrodad Collection

● Dra. Marina Torres Collection 

● E. Reyes Collection

● Jiménez-Colón Collection

GRANTS AND AWARDS:

2009 III Millenium Scholarship, Instituto Rural del Arte Hoz del Júcar, Alcalá del Júcar, Albacete, España

2005 UNESCO Medal, Photography Competition, Plaza Las Américas, San Juan, PR

2001 Dr. José R. Oliver Medal, Escuela de Artes Plásticas (EAP), Graduation Ceremony, San Juan, PR

          Fundación Randy Barceló Scholarship, Escuela de Artes Plásticas (EAP), Graduation Ceremony, San Juan, PR

          ARCO International Art Fair Student Travel Grant, Escuela de Artes Plásticas de PR (EAP), San Juan, PR

2000 Fundación Randy Barceló Scholarship, Escuela de Artes Plásticas de PR (EAP), San Juan, PR

1998 2nd Prize Annual Students Exhibition, Escuela de Artes Plásticas de PR (EAP), Painting, San Juan, PR

SELECTED ARTICLES:

2024  Plasma la migración como tema central de su obra, by Sandra Torres Guzmán, El Nuevo Día, (PR), marzo 24

           La memoria postmoderna del artista Fabián Detrés, by Jorge Rodríguez, En Rojo (PR), enero 31

2007 José Fabián Detrés: Versátil-Virtuoso, by Álvarez Lezama, Manuel, ART Premium (PR) #20

2005 Entre Reflejos, by Trelles Hernández, Carmen M., Primera Hora (PR) septiembre 1

          El Mundo desde Otra Mirada, by Díaz, Carmen G., El Nuevo Día (PR) agosto 28

          Luz y Reflejos, by Rodríguez Jorge, El Vocero (PR) agosto 30

          Luz y Reflejos Evocadoras Imágenes, by Redacción, El Vocero (PR) septiembre 15

          Esotérica la Obra de Fabián Detrés, by Pérez Rivera, T., El Nuevo Día (PR), diciembre 16

2003 Detrés y McGrait en West Gallery, by Rodríguez, Jorge, El Vocero (PR), noviembre 15

2001 Detrés y la Nueva Figuración, by Álvarez Lezama, Manuel, El Nuevo Día (PR), diciembre 2

          La Piedra Filosofal en Pintura, by Rodríguez, Jorge, El Vocero (P.R.), noviembre 3

          La Piedra Filosofal en Fabián Detrés, by Rodríguez, Jorge, El Vocero (P.R.), noviembre 15