Born in Venezuela. Has been on the map of the city of New York as a upcoming latin-American artist for most of the last two decades. Since receiving his first degree in fine art at the School of Visual Arts Cristobal Rojas in 1995 in Caracas, Venezuelan capital. In 1996 at age of 20 he moved to New York, where he received a scholarship to study painting with William Scharf and the Larry Poons at the Art Students League of New York.

In January 1997 Karim became the youngest artist to have a solo exhibition titled “Chaos, the symbols and the Universe” on the wings of Recon Gallery Theatre in Greenwich Village. He has also participated in the well received group show “The emphasis” in the Gallery of Consulate of Venezuela in New York. He has been perfecting his art through continuing education in SVA and the opportunity to participate in both individual and group exhibitions. His talents have been held with several awards, scholarships and artist in residence. He has also participated in rising international Art Fairs.

While still living in his adopted home, New York, in 2002 Karim Marquez took part in the most prestigious contemporary Art competition in his country “Arturo Michelena VX Hall.” As Prize winner Juan Lovera from Venezuela’s National Gallery, which houses his work at the permanent collection. In 2009 was invited to be part of the program Artist in Residence at the Gallery Aferro in Newark, N.J. Recently has been called to offer a tribute to the famous Antoni Tàpies. Spanish master of informalism with Dore Ashton, Robin Cembalest and artists Santi Moix , Amadeo Peñalver, at the Gallery of well-know Instituto Cervantes of New York at the Amster Yard historic building; a important non-for-profit culture organization created by the Spanish government worldwide.

His work is part of public and private art collections. He currently lives and works in New York city.

Artist Statement

karim’s work is based on the concept of chaos as a balance of material transformation. Development of his body of artwork combines the primal and primary sources that characterize and relate to the beliefs, values, behavior and material objects that constitute a people’s way of life and identity. With this in mind,  he uses unconventional techniques and resources to create a harmony of form together with an aggressive and chaotic aesthetic in a non-objective paintings, sculptures, drawings, sketches, patter designs, sound installations and videos. His goal as a visual artist bring a contemporary and fresh look to the viewer. Referencing our primitive origins. He desires to move away from the aesthetic ideal for art as the vivid portrayal of things. For him, art encompasses all the questions and answers of our chaotic universe.