Bio & C.V.
“My mission is to create art as a sanctuary where the spiritual intersects with the human experience.” –– Sergio Gomez
Biographical Information
Sergio Gomez is a visual artist who has recently made the move from Chicago to South Florida. He is known for his striking large-scale figurative abstraction paintings and charcoal drawings that delve into the profound cycles of life. With a compelling artistic career, Sergio's work has been featured in over 45 solo exhibitions across the United States, as well as in museums in Romania, Italy, Mexico, and Vienna.
In addition to his solo exhibitions, he has participated in over 150 group exhibitions in a wide array of countries, including Spain, Sweden, Mexico, Austria, Italy, South Korea, England, Kairo, Belgium, and the United States. His work has been acquired by prestigious public collections, such as the National Museum of Mexican Art and the Brauer Museum, as well as in the homes of avid private collectors.
Beyond his studio practice, Sergio Gomez has curated over 100 exhibitions in the US and abroad. His extraordinary journey as a curator began in 2010 and has since unfolded through various influential roles, including his current position as the Director of Exhibitions at the Zhou B. Art Center in Chicago, and his directorship and founding of 33 Contemporary Gallery.
Sergio Gomez's enduring commitment to curating art took flight in 2010 when he, in collaboration with the Zhou B Art Center, helmed the National Wet Paint MFA exhibition. This pivotal 8-year project catapulted him onto the national stage as an emerging curator. The exhibition shone a spotlight on the country's top MFA painting students, forging a prestigious platform that celebrated their talent.
One of Sergio's most remarkable curatorial achievements with 33 Contemporary Gallery was the decade-long stewardship of the National Self Portrait Annual Exhibition in Chicago. From 2004 to 2014, Sergio passionately cultivated this exhibition, turning it into one of the largest and most anticipated self-portrait showcases in the nation.
His curatorial prowess extends to esteemed organizations such as the Chicago Park District, Chicago Garfield Park Conservatory, Evanston Art Center, Museo Regionale di Scienze Naturali of Turin, National Museum of Mexican Art, and Expo Chicago Art Fair, among others. Each exhibition he orchestrates is a testament to his commitment to promoting art and artists.
He is not only an accomplished artist and curator but also co-founder of the renowned coaching academy Art NXT Level® which helps artists build a sustainable art career. In 2015, he launched the Art NXT Level podcast, which garners thousands of listeners from the artist community each week. With a vast repository of 375+ podcast episodes, and 700+ YouTube videos, Sergio's content continues to inspire and educate contemporary artists worldwide. His tenure as art professor at South Suburban College from 2006 to 2019 further highlights his dedication to art education.
Sergio is the co-author, along with Dr. Yanina Gomez, of the book Crush Self-Sabotage and Live Fully! The Artist's Wellness Journey to Confidence and Success. As a sought-after speaker, he educates artists on the complex business of art through his keynote "Closing the Gap," which has inspired hundreds to leverage their current circumstances for growth.
Lastly, Sergio Gomez is honored to be part of the Lunar Codex Project by Dr. Samuel Peralta, a digitized collection of global contemporary art and cultural expressions. Deployed on the moon by SpaceX, a selection of Sergio's artwork, along with curated exhibitions from 33 Contemporary Gallery, contributes to this extraordinary initiative. The first installment landed on the moon on February 22nd, with more lunar launches scheduled throughout 2024.
His dedication to nurturing and empowering artists is a testament to his unwavering dedication to the creative community and his role as a beacon of inspiration for artists and art enthusiasts alike.
Art Statement
"As a creator of large-scale abstract figurative paintings, my art seeks to evoke contemplation and spiritual awareness. I explore the human condition and life's cycles, aiming to resonate with those attuned to spirituality and existential themes. My work is a sanctuary for soul-searching, grounded in community and purpose."
Sergio Gomez
Curriculum Vitae
EDUCATION
NORTHERN ILLINOIS UNIVERSITY
Master of Fine Arts, Painting, 2005
GOVERNORS STATE UNIVERSITY
Master of Arts, Painting and Drawing, 1999
Bachelor of Arts, Painting and Drawing, 1996
THE SCHOOL OF THE ART INSTITUTE OF CHICAGO
1993-1994
Concentration: Painting and Drawing
JOLIET JUNIOR COLLEGE
1990-1993
SOLO EXHIBITIONS
2022
“Transfiguration” 33 Contemporary Gallery, Chicago, IL
2021
“Inception” Lee E. Dulgar Gallery, South Suburban College, South Holland, IL
“Diaphanous Bodies” 33 Contemporary Gallery, Chicago, IL
2020
“LIVING: A Pandemic Series: 33 Contemporary Gallery, online
2019
“Parallel Stories” North Central College, Chicago, IL
2018
“16 Day Diptych Series” 33 Contemporary Gallery, Chicago, IL
“One Dolor: Grafica Migratoria” Museo de la Ciudad de Queretaro, Mexico
“One Dolor: Grafica Migratoria” Museo de la Ciudad de Cuernavaca, Mexico
“Cycles” Muzeul de Arta Cluj, Romania
“The Healing Cycle” Museo Internazionale Italia Arte, Turin, Italy
“Memories” ACS Gallery, Chicago, IL (upcoming)
2017
“In the Shadow of Your Wings” Trinity Christian College, Weaton, IL
“Sergio Gomez” Olivet Nazarene University, IL
2016
“Sergio Gomez: Painting” University of Evansville, IN
“From Here to There” ACS Gallery, Chicago
“It Feels Like I Was Already Here” Zhou B Art Center, Chicago, IL
“From Here to There” ACS Gallery, Chicago, IL
“Transitional Dwellings” Calvin College, Grand Rapids, MI
“Sergio Gomez” Fourth Presbyterian Church of Chicago, IL
2015
44 Memories. White Ripple Gallery, Hammond, IN
“Bleeding Border” Galeria Intersección Arte Contemporaneo, San Miguel de Allende, Mexico
“A Sign of Light” Dordt College, Sioux Center, Iowa
“Above & Below” Art NXT Level Projects, Chicago, IL
“Passages” Judson University, Elgin, IL
“The Land In Between” Customs House Museum, Nashville, IL
2014
“Lost & Found” Benedictine University, Lisle, IL
2013
“Puertas Abiertas / Open Doors” National Museum of Mexican Art, Chicago, IL
“El Otro Lado / The Other Side” Art in Armitage, Chicago, IL
2012
“Parallel Visions” Zhou B Art Center, Chicago, IL
“Physis” ~artspace191, Vienna, Austria
“Physis” Regional Museum of Natural Science in Turin, Italy
“Voyages by Sergio Gomez” Union Street Gallery, Chicago Heights, IL
2011
“Sergio Gomez, Solo Exhibition” Union Street Gallery, Chicago Heights, IL
2010
“Coram-Deo” The Mary-Frances and Bill Veeck Gallery, Chicago, IL
2009
“Calmness” 33 Collective Gallery, Chicago, IL
2008
“Perceived Presence” The Illinois Institute of Art, Schamburg, IL
2007
“Sergio Gomez” Richland Community College, Decatur, IL
“Sergio Gomez” Benedictine College, Lisle, IL
“New Small Works” Imagine Foundation, Jacksonville, IL
2006
“New Paintings” 33 Collective Gallery, Chicago, IL
“Selected Works” Lincoln Land Community College, IL
“Undisclosed Presence”, Northern Illinois University, Dekalb, IL
2005
“Sergio Gomez”, 33 Collective Gallery, Chicago, IL
2001
“Spiritual Journeys” South Suburban College, South Holland, IL
2000
“Windows of Hope” YMCA Sawyer Center, Hammond, IN
1999
“Sergio Gomez” Paintings & Drawings, Kankakee Community College, Kankakee, IL
“Disclosure, from the Spirit to the Flesh” Governors State University, University Park, IL
“Conversations” Olivet Nazarene University, Bourbonnais, IL
1998
“Reshaping the Self” Elmhurst College, Elmhurst, IL
“Facing the Spirit” Valparaiso University, Valparaiso, IN
1997
“Paintings by Sergio Gomez” Park Forest Art Center, Park Forest, IL
1995
“Dialogs of Identity” Governors State University, University Park, IL
TWO-PERSON EXHIBITIONS
2019
“Paradigm” Oscar Martinez and Sergio Gomez, Oscar Martinez Fine Art, Chicago, IL
2017
“Gomez/Gonzalez” Water Street Studios Gallery, Batavia, IL
2014
“Gomez/Gonzalez” Gallery 13, Minneapolis, MN
“Gomez/Gonzalez” 33 Contemporary Gallery, IL
2013
“Sergio Gomez & Prado de Fata” Galeria Trueno, Madrid, Spain
“Presence Absence” Sergio Gomez & Mark Zlotkowski, South Shore Arts, Munster, IN
2012
“Presence Absence” Sergio Gomez & Mark Zlotkowski, Prairie State College, Chicago Heights, IL
2011
“16 Words of Hope & Bipolar World” Sergio Gomez & Petronilla Hohenwarter, Moedling, Vienna
“Presence Absence” Sergio Gomez & Mark Zlotkowski, Krasl Art Center, Michigan, IN
“Presence Absence” Sergio Gomez & Mark Zlotkowski, Indianapolis Art Center, Indianapolis, IN
2010
“Presence Absence” Sergio Gomez & Mark Zlotkowski, Noyes Cultural Art Center, Evanston, IL
“Presence Absence” Sergio Gomez & Mark Zlotkowski, 33 Collective Gallery, Chicago, IL
“Javier Chavira, Sergio Gomez: Figurative Works” Robert T. Wright Gallery, College of Lake County, IL
2009
“Judithe Hernandez and Sergio Gomez: Through the Labyrinth”, Chicago State University, IL
2004
“Javier Chavira & Sergio Gomez, New Works” Aguirre Duron Gallery, Chicago, IL
INTERNATIONAL ART FAIRS
2015
“53rd Art Exchange Symposium” – Busan Federation of Art and Culture, (Busan, Korea)
2014
“52nd Busan Art Festival”, (Busan, Korea)
“ArtSpot Miami International Art Fair” Miami, FL
“ExpoChicago” Curatorial Project
2013
“ArtSpot Miami International Art Fair” Miami, FL
“Super Market 2013” Stockholm Independent Art Fair, February 15 to 17, 2013, Sweden
2012
“Miami River International Art Fair” Dec 5 to 9, 2012, Miami, FL
SELECTED GROUP EXHIBITIONS
2021
”Big/Bold” SUNY College at Brockport, NY
2020
“Ethereal Epiphanies” 33 Contemporary Gallery
2019
“Transformations” BCN101, Barcelona, Spain
“With the Wind” Galeria Arte Enmala, Lanzerote, Canary Islands, Spain
“Resilience” Krasl Art Center, St Joseph, MI, Curated by Tami Miller
2017
“Memoria Presente” National Museum of Mexican Art, Chicago, IL
“Artists Curators” Bridgeport Art Center, Chicago, IL
“Figurative Allusions” Curated by Beth Shadur, The Art Center of Highland Park, IL
“Sight Unseen” Abend Gallery, Denver, CO
“Poets & Artists Exhibition” Curated by John Seed. Arcadia Gallery, CA
2016
“From Picaso to Miro to Contemporary Artists” Centre of Modern Art Oud Sint Jan Museum, Belgium
“Tempo/Memoria” Museo Internazionale Italia Arte, Turin, Italy
“5Latino Art of the Midwest” Curated by Judith Huacuja, Dayton University, OH
2015
“Breaking Criminal Traditions” North Central College. Curated by Chuck Gniech
“Pedagogy” Union Street Gallery, Chicago Heights, IL
“Convergence: The Poetic Dialog Project” Ukranian Institute of Modern Art, Chicago, IL
2014
“Breaking Criminal Traditions” Beverly Art Center, Chicago, IL
“Breaking Criminal Traditions” The Art Center of Highland
2013
“Art to Change the World: Inspiring Social Justice” ArtPrize, Grand Rapids, MI
“33 Contemporary Gallery at JJC” Joliet Junior College, Joliet, IL
“Signature Works” National Museum of Mexican Art, Chicago, IL
“Cultural Symbiosis” Institute of Culture of Baja California, Mexico
“Chicago Artists Interpret Shakespeare” Carthage College, Kenosha, WI
2012
“Bipolar World, Building Understanding Block by Block”, Chicago State University IL
“Spirits Saints and Souls” Tall Grass Arts Association, Park Forest, IL
“Art in US Embassy” Stockholm, Sweden
“Art+Energy+Future” Regional Museum of Natural Science in Turin, Italy
“The City Art Hunt Game” Bridgeport Art Center, Chicago, IL
“Tiriada, Sergio Gomez, Joe Milosevich and Pedro Palacios, 33 Collective Gallery, Chicago, IL
“Chicago Artists Interpret Shakespeare” Beverly Arts Center, Chicago, IL
2011
“Current” Zhou B Art Center, Chicago, IL
“CelebrARTE” Zhou B Art Center, Chicago, IL
“Tiriada, Sergio Gomez, Joe Milosevich and Pedro Palacios, 33 Collective Gallery, Chicago, IL
2010
“In My Own Backyard I Can See The World” International Collaboration Project, Chicago, IL
“The immediate Mark” Zhou B Art Center Main Gallery, Chicago, IL
“Center Line” Curated by Oskar Friedl, Zhou B Art Center, Chicago, IL
“Common Ground, Diverse Approaches: Works on Paper”, Tall Grass Arts Association, Chicago, IL
“Layers and Latitudes” 33 Collective Gallery, Chicago, IL
2009
“RADIUS”, 33 Collective Gallery, Chicago, IL
“The Sacred the Spiritual and the Sensual” Tall Grass Arts Association, Park Forest, IL
“Humanity and the Divine Imprint” Bill Veek Gallery, Chicago Theological Union, IL
“The Sacred, the Spiritual & the Sensual” Tall Grass Arts Association, Park Forest, IL
“Raices / Roots” Rene Arceo, Joe Compean, Sergio Gomez”, Kankakee Community College, IL
“Center Line” Curated by Oskar Friedl, Zhou B Art Center, Chicago, IL
“Collective Resonance”, 33 Collective Gallery, Chicago, IL
“Faculty Art Exhibition”, South Suburban College, South Holland, IL
2008
“Regional Art Faculty Exhibition”, Governors State University, University Park, IL
“La Vida Sin Fin, Day of the Dead Exhibition” National Museum of Mexican Art, Chicago, IL
“Reforming Us: Immigration Through Art” Crown Center Gallery, Loyola University, Chicago, IL
“Continnum” 33 Collective Gallery, Chicago, IL
“Popping Out, Blending Inn: Identities Defined” Brauer Museum of Art, Valparaiso University, IN
“Liturgical & Sacred Art Exhibit” Springfield Arts Association, Springfield, IL
“Muses Revisited” Faculty Art Exhibition, South Suburban College, South Holland, IL
“Harmony, The Art of Music” Traveling Exhibition: Union Street Gallery, McCord Gallery, White Street Gallery, and Tinley Park Public Library, IL
“The Human Form” Imagine Foundation, Jacksonville, IL
2007
“Day of the Dead” Imagine Foundation, Jacksonville, IL
“3rd Annual National Self-Portrait Exhibition, 33 Collective Gallery, Chicago, IL
“Transitions” Richland Community College, Richland, IL
“Shared Visions” 33 Collective Gallery, Chicago, IL
“Festival of the Arts” University of Chicago, Chicago, IL
“Definitions” Faculty Art Exhibition, South Suburban College, IL
“Regional College & University Art Faculty Exhibition” Governors State University, IL
2006
“Emergence” Lincoln Land Community College, IL
“Emergence” Governors State University, IL
“Emergence” South Suburban College, IL
“Emergence” Prairie State College, IL
“Group Show” EXP Gallery, Chicago, IL
“Day of the Dead Exhibition” 33 Collective Gallery, Chicago, IL
“Corpus, Interpretations of the Human Form” 33 Collective Gallery, Chicago, IL
“2nd Annual National Self-Portrait Exhibition” 33 Collective Gallery, Chicago, IL
2005
“Expresiones Visuales” Casa de la Cultura Mestizarte, Chicago, IL
“NIU Graduate Group Show, Jack Olson Gallery, DeKalb, IL
“Gallery Preview” 33 Collective Gallery, Chicago, IL
“1st Annual National Self-Portrait Exhibition” 33 Collective Gallery, Chicago, IL
“Color Matters” 33 Collective Gallery, Chicago, IL
“First Group Show” 33 Collective Gallery, Chicago, IL
2004
“Enlace” Grand Valley State University, MI
“2nd Latin American Art Exhibition” Grand Rapids Community College, MI
“Nueva Luz / New Light” Northern Indiana Arts Association, Munster, IN
2003
“Nueva Luz / New Light” Joliet Junior College, IL
“Symbols, Myths and Metaphores”, Columbia College of Chicago, IL
2002
26th Annual Alice & Arthur Baer Art Competition, Beverly Art Center, Chicago, IL
“Pintores Mexicanos en Chicago” Arte de Mexico Gallery, Chicago, IL
“A Feast Day for the Souls”, Mexican Fine Arts Center Museum, Chicago, IL
“59th Annual Salon Show”, Northern Indiana Arts Association, Munster, IN
“Selections from the Permanent Collection” Brauer Museum of Art, Valparaiso, IN
2001
“Dia de Los Muertos” Arte de Mexico Gallery, Chicago, IL
“De Raices Mexicanas” Quincy Art Center, Quincy, IL
“Artistas de ATL” Arte de Mexico Gallery, Chicago, IL
“Latino Horizons” Museum of Science and Industry, Chicago, IL
“Cinco de Mayo: Mexican-American Artists” Northern Indiana Arts Assoc. IN
1999
“Al Paso del Tiempo” Day of the Death, Mexican Fine Arts Center Museum, Chicago, IL
“Remembrance, a Celebration of Life” Oak Park Art League, Oak Park, IL
1998
22nd Annual Alice & Arthur Baer Art Competition, Beverly Art Center, Chicago, IL
55th Annual Salon Show, Northern Indiana Arts Association, Munster, IN
“Altars, Installations & Private Spaces” Governors State University, University Park, IL
“Exhibit of Spiritual Art” Fra Angelico Art Foundation, Fassbender Gallery, Chicago, IL
4th Annual University Art Show, Northern Indiana Arts Association, Munster, IN
1997
“Art Is Where The Home Is” Art Auction, Aldo Castillo Gallery, Chicago, IL
21st Annual Alice & Arthur Baer Art Competition, Beverly Art Center, Chicago, IL
Spiritual Art Exhibit, Beverly Art Center, Chicago, IL
54th Annual Salon Show, Northern Indiana Arts Association, Munster, IN
“Latin American Masters” Aurora Public Art Commission, Aurora, IL
3rd Annual University Art Show, Northern Indiana Arts Association, Munster, IN
1996
53rd Annual Salon Show, Northern Indiana Arts Association, Munster, IN
Sergio Gomez, Javier Chavira. Paintings & Drawings, Joliet Junior College, Joliet, IL
“Curator’s Choice” International Art Exhibition, Aldo Castillo Gallery, Chicago, IL
“Sacred Arts Exhibit” Billy Graham Center Museum, Weaton, IL
2nd Annual University Art Show, Northern Indiana Arts Association, Munster, IN
1995
“Sacred Arts Exhibit” Billy Graham Center Museum, Weaton, IL
“Exhibit of Spiritual Art” Rosary College, Chicago, IL
“Young Artists of Promise” Park Forest Art Center, Park Forest, IL
1st Annual University Art Show, Northern Indiana Arts Association, Munster, IN
52nd Annual Salon Show, Northern Indiana Arts Association, Munster, IN
“Latino Artist in Chicago” Northern Indiana Arts Association, Munster, IN
1994
“The Fantastic” Park Forest Art Gallery, Park Forest, IL
“Art In Italy” Study Tour Exhibition, Governors State University, University Park, IL
“Exhibit of Spiritual Art” Rosary College, Chicago, IL
SELECTED CURATED EXHIBITIONS
2014
“I Am American” Water Street Studios, Batavia, IL
“National Wet Paint MFA Biennial” Zhou B Art Center, Chicago, IL
2013
“Symbiosis Cultural” Instituto de Cultura de Baja California, Tijuana, Mexico
“Curator’s Choice: 10th Annual Self Portrait Exhibition” Zhou B Art Center, Chicago, IL
“Copy.Right: Art of Appropriation” 33 Contemporary Gallery, Chicago, IL
2012
“Chicago’s Twelve” Zhou B Art Center, Chicago, IL
“Face Mask. Corinna Button Solo Exhibition” Zhou B Art Center, Chicago, IL
“National Wet Paint Exhibition” Zhou B Art Center, Chicago, IL
2011
“CelebrARTE” Zhou B Art Center, Chicago, IL
“National Wet Paint Exhibition” Zhou B Art Center, Chicago, IL
“8th Annual National Self-Portrait Exhibition”, Zhou Art Center, Chicago, IL
“Get Real. New Figurative Realism in Chicago”, 33 Collective Gallery, Chicago, IL
2010
“National Wet Paint Exhibition” Zhou B Art Center, Chicago, IL
HONORS AND AWARDS
2012 Selected as a featured artists for Chicago Artists Month 2012, Chicago, IL
2002 Purchase Award, 26th Annual Alice & Arthur Baer Art Competition, Beverly Art Center, Chicago, IL
1998 “Best of Show Award” 22nd Annual Alice & Arthur Baer Art Competition, Beverly Art Center, Chicago, IL
1997 Second Place, Fra Angelico Art foundation, Fassbender Gallery, Chicago, IL
Second Place Graduate Award at Governors State University’s Student Art Show, IL
1996 First Place Undergraduate Award at Governors State University’s Student Art Show, IL
1995 Lincoln Laureate Medallion Award, Springfield, IL
First Place, Fra Angelico Art foundation, Rosary College, Chicago, IL
1994 First Place Undergraduate Award at Governors State University’s Student Art Show, IL
Liquitex Excellence in Art University Award.
ART COLLECTIONS
National Museum of Mexican Art, Chicago, IL
MIIT Museo Internazionale Italia Arte, Turin, Italy
Brauer Museum of Art, Valparaiso, IN
Beverly Art Center, Chicago, IL
Imagine Foundation, IL
Fra Angelico Art Foundation, Chicago, IL
Governors State University, University Park, IL
Benedictine University, Wheaton, IL
Joliet Junior College Art Collection, Joliet, IL
Private collections in Canada, Puerto Rico, Paris, Italy and United States.
LIVE ART PERFORMANCES
“Cycle of Life” Calvin College, 2016
“Light of Hope” Dordt College, 2015
“Violated Identity” Union Street Gallery, Chicago Heights, IL 2012
USPS Chicago Office, Hispanic Heritage Month Event, Chicago, IL, 2010
Chicago Theological Union, Chicago, IL, 2010
McCormick Theological Seminary, Chicago, 2009
“Keep The Promise” AIDS Awareness Day, South Suburban College, IL, 2008
“SOMOS” Latino Art Festival, South Suburban College, South Holland, IL, 2008
“IDentidad” Latino Art Festival South Suburban College, South Holland, IL, 2008
GALLERY AFFILIATIONS
33 Contemporary Gallery, Chicago, IL
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