About the Work
Juan Arango Palacios primarily works within painting, though the conceptual undertones of their textile works create threads evident throughout their practice. To weave is to stitch, to stitch is to connect, and connection bridges gaps. Societal chasms and voids of representation are the catalysts for Arango Palacios’ unapologetically glam portraits, vamped with saturated jewel-tones, at times adorned with rhinestones or the universal elongated cross-like star associated with “bling” — though viewed from a different perspective, a cross is a cross is a cross, which harkens to the artist’s conservative religious upbringings and the othering experience it grafted in their life.
Often figures are grouped together, though perhaps no one finds themselves truly alone in Arango Palacios’ world, for even when a lone figure populates the frame, as is the case in Nadie Deja que Muera una Flor tan Bella, they’re draped in wonder; immersed in luxurious environments and fashionably decked out with styles inspired by Arango Palacios’ Chicago community and queer internet culture. Another recurring character motif are their tattoos — that which blends into the skin also makes it stand out.
Our new collaboration with Arango Palacios, Nadie Deja que Muera una Flor tan Bella, is a hand-finished series of 12 based on their painting of the same name. Exhibition A digitally removed the tattoos from the original painting, allowing Arango Palacios to create hand-drawn unique imprints on each work.
Says the artist, “Tattoos are a way in which personal stories are told on physical bodies. Here, I’m using the tattoos to evoke the many possibilities of narrative and identity that this heartbroken character could have possessed. Inspired by the lyrics from the reggaeton hit "Ayer la Vi" by Don Omar, this artwork explores vulnerability through a queer lens. The title, Nadie Deja que Muera una Flor tan Bella, translates to "no one lets such a beautiful flower wilt” and points to the tale of a man longing for the love of a woman whose heart has already been broken by someone else, though in the work that internal turmoil has been projected onto the figure as a stand-in for the emotional commotion I’ve endured as a queer person in similar situations. Rather than representing queerness through hypersexuality, I am portraying tender moments of the queer experience — showcasing love, sorrow, intimacy, and heartbreak.”
— Juan Arango Palacios
Artist Biography
Juan Arango Palacios (b. 1997, Pereira, Colombia) graduated from the School of the Art Institute of Chicago in 2020. Arango Palacios is one of our favorite newcomers to the scene and part of our ongoing Artists On the Rise series.
Arango Palacios has held solo and duo exhibitions at FLXST Contemporary (Chicago), The Room Gallery (London), Jude Gallery (Chicago), Povos Gallery (Chicago), Co-Prosperity Sphere (Chicago, Catskills), and New Image Art (Los Angeles), among others. Select group exhibitions include presentations at Eve Leibe Gallery (London), Soft Times Gallery (San Francisco), Goodmother Gallery (Los Angeles), Lauren Powell Projects (Los Angeles), Untitled Art Fair (Miami) with Gaa Gallery, Cambridge Art Association (Cambridge, MA), and Gruin Gallery (Los Angeles). Arango Palacios lives and works in Chicago, IL.
Authentication & Resale
Signed and numbered by the artist on front.
This work is accompanied by a Certificate of Authenticity signed and numbered by Exhibition A.
Be sure to keep your Certificate of Authenticity (COA) in a safe place. We are unable to replace or reissue COAs.
Framing
Framed artwork is custom framed once it is ordered. Allow 3-5 weeks for framing and delivery.
FRAME
All of our frames are made from sustainably sourced engineered hardwood that is manufactured in the USA. Frames are available in Black or White Matte and Walnut.
MAT
Prints are hinged to a conservation quality, acid-free and lignin-free Cellulose matboard, using acid-free polyethylene cloth tape. Each mat’s surface paper is fade and bleed resistant and is attached to a conversation quality foam-core board. Some of our work (typically those pieces with a deckled edge) is floated on the matboard with spacers to separate the artwork from the glazing.
GLAZING
We use museum quality .060 mm plexiglass to frame your work. It blocks 82-85% of UV rays to prevent color fading from exposure to light, protecting your art for years to come.
DIMENSIONS
Our White and Black frames have a ⅞” wide flat face and are 15/16” deep. Mats are 1” wide for prints up to 8” x 10”. Mats are 2” wide for prints larger than 8” x 10”.
Our Natural and Walnut frames have a ¾” wide flat face and are 1 ⅛” deep. Mats are 1” wide for prints up to 8” x 10”. Mats are 2” wide for prints larger than 8” x 10”.
Any artwork that is floated will be placed in a frame that has a ⅝” wide flat face and is 1 5/16” deep. Work will be floated with a 1” border around it.
Shippings & Returns
Unframed work ships within 5 business days of your order. Framed artwork is custom framed once it is ordered. Please allow 2-4 weeks for framing and delivery. Need it faster? Expedited options may be available by emailing service@exhibitiona.com. All work ships from the US. International customers are responsible for any customs, duty, or VAT charges.
If you change your mind after placing your order, please email us at service@exhibitiona.com within 24 hours. We will not be able to accommodate cancellations for framed orders after that time period (as your frame will have been ordered and cut within that time period). We may not be able to accommodate your request to cancel your order for an unframed work after 24 hours if it has been packaged and processed by our fulfillment center.
We are unable to accept returns on custom framed artwork. Our general policy is that we do not accept returns. If your print arrives damaged or does not meet your expectations, you may be eligible for a replacement or return. Any issues must be reported within 5 business days of receipt by emailing service@exhibitiona.com.
