Renato Osoy, 1974. Guatemalan-born artist and educator currently based in Montreal, Canada.

With a career of over three decades, I have cultivated a profound engagement with artistic, curatorial, and educational practices across cultures. My educational foundation began with Photographic Studies at the Colorado Institute of Art in Denver, U.S.A., in 1996, following an early artistic start as a cast member of the theater collective “Arte-studio Kodaly” in Guatemala City from 1990 to 1994. I later earned a Bachelor’s Degree in Fine Arts from the Royal Academy of Antwerp, Belgium, in 2012 and a Master’s Degree in Artistic Research (Magna Cum Laude) from the University of Amsterdam in 2014, solidifying my interdisciplinary approach to contemporary art.

As a curator, I have contributed significantly to the Central American art scene, including directing and co-curating exhibitions and programs for the Fundación Nacional para las Bellas Artes y la Cultura (FUNBA) in Antigua Guatemala from 2018 to 2019 and leading curatorial projects at Galería Extra in Guatemala City, where I organized over 40 exhibitions and produced biographical mini-documentaries on emerging artists. My work extends to internationally recognized initiatives, such as serving as a member of the Y.ES Curators Network in El Salvador in 2018 and participating as a nominator for the World Press Photo Joop Swart Masterclass Award from 2016 to 2019. These roles have allowed me to create meaningful dialogues across the Americas and Europe, including curating landmark events such as Un Evento en el Museo un Museo en el Evento at Museo de Arte Moderno Carlos Mérida in Guatemala City in 2012.

Institutional consulting has also been a cornerstone of my practice.

A man in a denim jacket standing in an art studio with black-and-white landscape photographs on the wall and on the table in front of him.

In 2019, I led the institutional design and programming of FUNBA and the MAG - Museo Arte Guatemala, developing their educational and mediation programs. My expertise extends to curriculum development, having co-designed the Bachelor in Visual Arts program for Universidad Francisco Marroquín and the Laboratorio de Arte Contemporáneo diploma course for Fundación Paiz in Guatemala City. I have taught extensively as an educator, offering workshops, seminars, and mentorships tailored to professional artists in Central America. My teaching roles have included lecturing at Universidad Francisco Marroquín from 2015 to 2018, conducting critical writing seminars at La Fototeca in 2019, and developing a rich portfolio of workshops on contemporary art and photography since 2009.

In parallel, I have engaged audiences as a panelist and speaker at key cultural events, such as the Pasos a Desnivel symposium at the Centro Cultural de España in Guatemala City in 2019 and the Money Talks: Economy in the Art World panel at the Museo de Arte y Diseño Contemporáneo in San José, Costa Rica. My artistic practice, exhibited internationally, reflects a conceptual and poetic sensibility. My works have been featured in prestigious venues, including the Museum of Contemporary Art in Santa Barbara, California, U.S.A. (Guatemala from 33,000 km, 2018), the Fondazione Giorgio Cini in Venice, Italy (Imago Mundi Collection, 2016), and the Norton Museum in Florida, U.S.A. (Rudin Prize, 2014). My projects consistently explore themes of identity, memory, and cultural resonance, bridging the personal and collective. Through my interdisciplinary trajectory, I continue to shape meaningful exchanges between art, curation, and education, contributing to a dynamic conversation within the global art community.

CV

Explore a curated timeline of exhibitions, projects, and achievements that define my artistic path.

Person writing on a white wall with blue markers, drawing a diagram or flowchart with arrows and text in Spanish and English. A small table and a cardboard box are on the tiled floor, and a small table with markers and papers is nearby.

  • 2014

    Master’s Degree in Artistic Research from the University of Amsterdam, The Netherlands. 2012-2014

    2012

    Bachelor’s Degree in Fine Arts from the Royal Academy of Antwerp, Belgium. 2009-2012

    1996

    Photographic Studies, Colorado Institute of Art, Denver, U.S.A. 1994-1996

    1994

    Cast member in the theater collective “Arte-studio Kodaly”, Guatemala City, Guatemala. 1990-1994

  • 2020

    Curator for the exhibition of the visual art teachers of the Municipal School of Visual Arts, titled: “1 kilómetro en la Ciudad”, Guatemala City.

    2019

    As Content Director, designed structures, scripts and content for the “FUNBA Cultural Channel” on social media; as well performs a series of co-curatorships with guest curators for 4 exhibitions and 15 educational activities linked to the annual exhibitions program at FUNBA-Fundación Nacional para las Bellas Artes y la Cultura, in the city of Antigua Guatemala. 2018-2019Curator for Galería Extra (A contemporary art gallery for Central American Art in Guatemala City). Curated 22 exhibitions in the main exhibition space and 21 exhibitions for the gallery’s project-space, besides producing a series of 6 biographical mini-documentaries on emerging artist in the context of Contemporary Art in Guatemala City. 2016-2019Part of the nominating committee for candidates to the “World Press Photo - Joop Swart Masterclass Award”, Amsterdam, The Netherlands. 

    2018

    Member of the Y.ES Curators Network, with visits to Museums and artist studios in San Salvador, El Salvador.
    Member for the Guatephoto Advisory Board, Guatemala City. 2012-2018Jury for the Guatephoto contest, Guatemala City.
    Curator for the exhibition: “La Pintura en la Práctica Contemporánea”, MUSAC, Guatemala City. 

    2016

    Curator for the exhibition "Galerías Abiertas", at the Municipal School of Visual Art, Guatemala City.
    Curator for "Funsilec" art auction event, Guatemala City.

    2015

    Curator for "Funsilec" art auction event, Guatemala City.
    Curator for the annual photography festival Foto30, Guatemala City.

    2012

    Curator for “Un Evento en el Museo, un Museo en el Evento”, Museo de Arte Moderno Carlos Mérida, Guatemala City.

  • 2019

    General coordination, institutional design and programming of content for the institutionalization of FUNBA - Fundación Nacional para las Bellas Artes y la Cultura, an institution which also coordinates the MAG - Museo Arte Guatemala; Design of the mediation and Educational Program. The MAG is currently under construction in the city of Antigua Guatemala.
    Co-founder and co-director for the contemporary art gallery Galería Extra, Guatemala City. 2016-2019

    2018

    Y.ES Contemporary Art Trip. YES hosts an annual art trip introducing museum directors, curators, critics and philanthropists to the contemporary visual art community in El Salvador. By invitation, art trips are approximately 5 days and are joined by YES founders, council and staff team.  Each art trip provides an introduction to the countries creative institutions, artist practices and culturally significant sites and activities.

    2016

    Coordinator, designer and teacher for the Diploma Course program: “Laboratorio de Arte Contemporáneo” for Fundación Paiz, 2016-17 in the Artecentro site, Guatemala City. 
    Coordinator, designer and instructor for the one year Diploma project "Agentes Culturales" for Fundación Paiz, 2015-16, a program operated in conjunction with the Guatemala Biennale.
    Co-founder of the experimental research project “Textperimento(s)”, Guatemala City. 

    2015

    Co-designer of the “Bachelor in Visual Arts” program for the Educational Department of Universidad Francisco Marroquín, Guatemala City.
    Co-designer of the curricular project of the Artecentro “Graciela Andrade de Paiz” School in Guatemala City.

    2014 

    Consulting for the Municipal School of Visual Arts, part of the Guatemala’s City Municipality regarding the event: “Guatemala Capital of Ibero-American Culture”, (Event Conceptualization and Temporary Educational Projects), Guatemala City.
    Project Advisory for the “Wolf Bauman Collection”. (Institutional Conceptualization), Guatemala City. 

    2013

    Advisory for La Fototeca, execution, conceptualization and implementation of an advanced photography: “Nueva Generación”, a program within the frame of contemporary visual arts, Guatemala City.

  • 2020 to date

    By appointment personalized Portfolio Reviews, Artist’s Services and Mentoring.

    2019

    Teacher in “Lectura y escritura crítica”, Diploma Course program in Fototeca, Guatemala City.
    ”Arte & Estrategia(s)”, artist’s professionalization seminars; Museo de Arte y Diseño Contemporáneo, San José, Costa Rica.
    Webinars: “Laboratorio de Creación” y “Teoría de la Imagen”, Fototeca, Guatemala City.

    2018

    Workshop: “Imagen Inesperada”, La Fototeca, Guatemala City.
    Art History Class “La Decisión y El Azar”, Fundación Paiz, Guatemala City.
    Teacher at Universidad Francisco Marroquín, Guatemala City. 2015-2018

    2017

    Seminar in Fundación Yaxs: Formas de ver; modos de hacer, Guatemala City.
    Workshop in La Erre cultural center: “Textos Como Imágenes”, Guatemala City.

    2016

    From his studio, articulates a series of Contemporary Art and Photography workshops, and organizes a series of public exhibitions entitled: "Imagen Inesperada", Guatemala City. 2015-2016

    2010

    Workshop: "(El lenguaje de la fotografía (un enfoque contemporáneo))", GuatePhoto Festival, Guatemala, in collaboration with La Fototeca.

    2009

    Workshop: "Tomar fotos mientras está de viaje", Antwerp, Belgium. In collaboration with Karavaan.
    Workshop: "La intuición fotográfica En el Retrato y el Paisaje" Guatemala City. In collaboration with La Fototeca.

    2006–2007

    Workshop: "Iluminación Avanzada" and workshops on creative development, Espacio 13-65, Guatemala City.

    2004

    Workshop: "El desnudo en la fotografía" Galería El Attico, Guatemala City.
    Workshop: "Fotografía Documental" Proyecto Cultural El Sitio, Antigua, Guatemala.

    2001

    Workshop: "La fotografía como herramienta creativa" Studio 52, Guatemala City. In collaboration with photographer Alan Benchoam.

    2000

    Workshop: “Fotografía Documental", Casa Comal, Guatemala City.

    1999

    Workshop: "Fotografiando el desnudo" Galería Poliedro, Guatemala City.
    Workshop: "Trabajando el cuarto oscuro" Casa Azul, Guatemala City.

    1998

    Workshop: "El Desnudo como Elemento Humano en la Fotografía" Casa Azul, Guatemala City.
    Conferences on a series of short experimental workshops at the Casa Azul Art Academy, Guatemala

  • 2019 

    Presentation for the 27th ICOFOM-LAM “Proposing an Educational Program to activate a Project for a Museum in Guatemala”, Universidad del Valle, Guatemala City.
    Panelist at the discussion: “Money Talks; Economy in the art world” Museo de Arte y Diseño Contemporáneo, San José, Costa Rica.
    Universidad Veritas, “Parallels in the Development and History of Photography”, San Jose, Costa Rica.
    Speaker at the Contemporary Art Symposium: “Pasos a Desnivel”, Centro Cultural de España, Guatemala City. 
    Panelist at the discussion: “La Actualidad en la Fotografía”, for the 10th anniversary of La Fototeca, Guatemala City. 

    2018

    Panelist at FLII - Latin American Forum on Impact Investment: “Cultural Entrepreneurship”, Antigua Guatemala. 
    Speaker at the 9th Encuentro de Fundacult in Antigua Guatemala.
    Exhibition table at the New York Foundation for the Arts - IBM; Cultural Entrepreneurship Symposium, New York, USA.  

    2015

    Moderator at the "Adherente" Design Festival, 2015, Guatemala City.
    Moderator and panelist, "Guatephoto 2015", Guatemala City.

    2012

    A series of conferences and workshops at La Fototeca, Guatemala.

    2010

    Conference about the project "The Infinite Highland", Museum fur Volkerkunde, Hamburg.

    2006—2007

    Conferences on personal work at the "Festival del Centro Histórico", Guatemala City.

  • 2021

    “Juannio”, Latin American Art Auction, Guatemala City.

    2020

    “FRACTÁLISIS” a photographic exhibition on the occasion of the 40th anniversary from  CIRMA’s - Centro de Investigaciones Regionales de Mesoamérica fototeca archive, at La Nueva Fábrica, Aldea Santa Ana, Antigua, Guatemala.

    2018

    “Guatemala from 33,000 km: Contemporary Art, 1960 – Present”, Museum of Contemporary Art in Santa Barbara, California, USA.
    “Grandes Éxitos”, Centro Cultural Municipal, Guatemala City. 

    2017

    “Juannio”, Latin American Art Auction, Museo Ixchel, Guatemala City.

    2016

    "Automatismos", Universidad Rafael Landívar, Guatemala City.
    "Espacios Públicos", Escuela Municipal de Correos, Guatemala City.
    "Arte en Mayo", Fundación Rozas-Botrán, Guatemala City.
    "Museo de la Luna", Concepción 41, Antigua Guatemala.
    "Solemne Edición Número 3", Contemporary Art magazine.
    "Imago Mundi Luciano Benetton Collection", Fondazione Giorgio Cini, Venice, Italy.

    2015

    "Entresiglos; Arte Contemporáneo de Centroamérica", Museo de Arte Moderno de Guatemala, Guatemala City.
    "Guatephoto", La Erre, Guatemala City.
    "Las Brisas", Edificio Las Brisas, Guatemala City.
    "Propuestas Improbables", S1, Guatemala City.

    2014

    "Rudin Prize", Norton Museum, Florida, USA.
    "Variations.Uniformity", at Bradwolff Projects, Amsterdam, Netherlands.
    "Tétano#00", limited edition publication for Colectivo Macú; Fotografía Latinoamericana.

    2013

    "Medical Experimental", EYE Film Institute Netherlands, Amsterdam, Netherlands.
    “Primitives", W139, Amsterdam, Netherlands.
    "Ignite 30", Mediamatic, Amsterdam, Netherlands.
    "Finding A New Order", Zolder Museum, Amsterdam, Netherlands.
    "Finding A New Order”, GoLeb, Amsterdam, Netherlands.
    "Finding A New Order", BB15, Linz, Austria.
    "Former West”, Haus der Kulturen der Welt, Berlin, Germany.
    "SUELTA" @ www.sueltasuelta.es, text and art online platform.
    "Geográfica", Fototropia, Guatemala.
    "Fotosíntesis", Fototropia, Guatemala.
    "Tecún", La ERRE, Guatemala.
    "Kijkdoos (Dioramas)” Époque, Antwerp, Belgium.

    2012

    “Bredaphoto”, photography festival, Breda, Netherlands.
    “Guatephoto”, photography festival, Guatemala City.
    “Un Evento En El Museo, Un Museo En El Evento”, Museo de Arte Moderno de Guatemala, Guatemala City.
    “Entrar Adentro, Salir Afuera, Salir Adentro”, FOTO30, Palacio de La Cultura de Guatemala, Guatemala City.

    2011

    Public Recognition, Designcenter De Winkelhaak, Antwerp, Belgium.

    2010

    Noventa Segundos, Galería El Attico, Guatemala.

    2008-10

    Curator of the web-based project FOTOMALTECO, fotomalteco.blogspot.com

    2008

    Projection of "Semana Santa en Guatemala" Museum für Völkerkunde, Hamburg, Germany.
    Projection of the project "Laberinto de Miradas" for Foto30 exhibitions. Antigua, Guatemala.
    FUNSILEC art exhibition, Guatemala.

    2007

    Traveling exhibition "Imágenes de Guatemala 1850-2005, Fototeca de CIRMA", Moscow, Russia.

    2006

    "Algunos Detalles de la Naturaleza", Part of the FOTO30 Project of the Centro Cultural de España, Galería el Attico, Guatemala City.
    ”Juannio”, Latin American Art Auction, Guatemala.
    "Sexo y Poder" Casa del Mango, La Antigua, Guatemala.
    "La Historia de Danaus" Project, Centro de Cultura Hispánica y Casa del Águila, Guatemala.
    "El Cuerpo" Galería el Attico, Guatemala.
    Traveling exhibition "Imágenes de Guatemala 1850-2005, Fototeca de CIRMA", Barcelona, Spain.

    2005

    Traveling exhibition "Imágenes de Guatemala 1850-2005, Fototeca de CIRMA", Ateneo de Madrid, Spain. Casino de Santander, Spain. Castilla-La Mancha, Spain.
    "Catorce años de Galería El Attico", Guatemala.
    "Arte Subasta", Anacafé Building, Guatemala.

    2004

    Galería El Áttico, "Muestra Fotográfica", Guatemala.
    "Arte Subasta", Anacafé Building, Guatemala.
    Galería Panza Verde, "Colaboración con David Halfon", Antigua Guatemala.
    "Fotografías 1999-2004" Centro de Investigaciones Regionales de Mesoamérica (CIRMA), Antigua Guatemala.

    2002

    "Fotógrafos de fin de Milenio", Córdoba, Spain.
    ”Juannio”, Latin American Art Auction, Guatemala.
    "Arte Subasta", Edificio Anacafe, Guatemala.

    2001

    Traveling exhibition in Mexico City, Guerrero, Tehuacán and Tamaulipas, México.
    "Arte Subasta", Anacafé Building, Guatemala.
    Instituto Americano de Guatemala, "Suerte y Castigo", Guatemala.
    "Algunas Cosas nos Recuerdan Algunas Cosas", Casa de los Nativos, San Lucas Sacatepéquez, Guatemala.

    2000

    Salón de la Plástica Mexicana, México.
    Arte Subasta, Edificio Anacafé, Guatemala.

    1999

    Traveling exhibition in Guatemala City, Quetzaltenango, Cobán, Antigua for one year "Últimos Diez Años de la Plástica Guatemalteca", Guatemala.
    Traveling exhibition in Guatemala City and Antigua, "Despertares", Guatemala.
    Instituto Guatemalteco Americano, "Miedo", Guatemala.
    CIRMA, "Foto subasta", Antigua Guatemala.
    Universidad de San Carlos, "Ecléctica", Guatemala.

    1998

    Múseo de Arte Moderno "Foto jornada", Guatemala.
    Galería el Áttico, Guatemala.
    Universidad Rafael Landívar, "El Arte de la fotografía Contemporánea", Guatemala.
    INGUAT, "Arte por la Vida", Guatemala.

    1996

    Gallery of the Colorado Institute of Art, U.S.A.
    Denver Performing Arts Complex, U.S.A.

References

This section links articles and publications, printed and online materials discussing my projects, exhibitions, and contributions, offering further insight into my practice and the dialogues it has sparked in various contexts. I strive to keep this section current, but if you wish to cite or include my work in your research, please reach out for the most accurate and up-to-date information.

On-Line Publications

  • Person wearing a beanie and shorts, kneeling on the floor, cutting a large piece of raw meat. The floor has more pieces of meat and meat cuts, with a stack of clothes or fabric on their back.

    Pasos a Desnivel. Primer Simposio Sobre Arte Contemporáneo en Guatemala

    Artishock (2019)

    Read more
  • A woman sitting on a black suitcase in a dimly lit, rough concrete room, adjusting or inspecting a piece of equipment.

    Primer simposio de arte contemporáneo: “Pasos a desnivel entre resistencias y pasos de sirenas”

    Prensa Comunitaria (2019)

    Read more
  • Person pouring water onto a large Argentine flag laid on a cobblestone street.

    Simposio Pasos a Desnivel

    VADB.org (2019)

    Read more
  • A photoshoot in a studio with a female model sitting in front of a green screen, with photographers capturing her portrait using professional lighting and camera equipment.

    Talleres especializados y clases magistrales para fotógrafos en GuatePhoto 2018

    Guatemala.com (2018)

    Read more
  • A woman giving a presentation or speech to a group of young adults seated around a table in a classroom or conference room.

    Participa en actividades gratuitas relacionadas a la fotografía

    GuateNews (2018)

    Read more
  • Six people sitting on a wooden floor against a white wall, facing the camera, with a blue object on the floor in front of them.

    «Esto no está en el mar» se inspira en la cotidianidad

    Diario de Centro América (2017)

    Read more
  • A black pegboard with colored arrow markers on the left side, placed on a speckled gray surface.

    Postcard from Guatemala

    Frieze Magazine (2017)

    Read more
  • Open artist's sketchbook with black line drawings of abstract and figurative images on white pages, displayed on a white table.

    “Un espacio Extra para el arte, siempre.”

    Habitart Magazine (2017), Issue No. 32, pages 24-27

    Read more
  • Installation art featuring four large rocks covered with a colorful woven textile draped over them, displayed on a white platform.

    La Ciudad de Guatemala tiene un espacio Extra para el arte.

    Guatemalan Art (2017)

    Read more
  • Three people standing in front of an art installation with handwritten text on the walls. The text is in various colors, including pink, red, and blue, and contains quotes and sketches, including a portrait of a woman on the right side.

    Renato Osoy/ Camila Fernandez

    Les Écrits de Séverine (2016)

    Read more
  • Wall with black and white letter blocks forming words like 'CONCEPT,' 'CONTEXT,' 'CONNECTION,' 'CONSEQUENCE,' and 'COMPLEX'.

    Renato Osoy. La teoría y la práctica son lo mismo ¿o no?

    Nómada (2015)

    Read more
  • Screenshot of a news article webpage from Prensa Libre discussing a regional art collection book called 'Entre Siglos', featuring contemporary art from Central America and Panama, to be displayed at Museo de Arte Moderno Carlos Mérida.

    Presentan una recopilación del arte regional en un libro llamado Entre siglos

    Prensa Libre (2015)

    Read more
  • A wall with a large collage of black-and-white passport photos of a young man, arranged in seven rows and fifteen columns.

    Four brave new voices in photography at the Norton

    Palm Beach Arts Paper (2014)

    Read more
  • A man with a beard smiling in front of a large mural or painting of a person's eyes.

    In 2013 we worked with these people

    Mediamatic.net (2013)

    Read more
  • Art installation in a gallery featuring colorful hammocks suspended between classical columns in a dimly lit room.

    Hamacas modernas

    Buró de Intervenciones Públicas (2012)

    Read more
  • A black and white photo of a young woman with a draped cloth over her head and shoulders, looking directly at the camera with a serious expression.

    Renato Osoy

    La Cuadra (2007)

    Read more
  • Colorful colonial-style buildings along a cobblestone street with a yellow archway and clocktower in the background, with a faint volcano in the distance.

    Sexo y poder en La Antigua Guatemala

    Rudy Girón (2006)

    Read more

Videos

  • Four people sitting at a glass table during an interview or discussion, with banners and studio lighting, including two large umbrellas, behind them. The banners display the logos for Bantrab, Fotolab, and Canon, with the backdrop featuring a red banner with blue text reading "LA FOTO TECA.ORG" and Spanish text about changing the world through images.

    "Una Conversación Sobre la Teoría de la Imagen"/ Webinar No. 04

    La Fototeca

    Watch now
  • A man [Renato Osoy] with short hair and a beard wearing a black shirt, smiling and holding an object, standing in front of a colorful abstract painting on a white wall. The name "Renato Osoy" is in white text at the bottom left.

    ¿Qué nos convierte en artistas excepcionales? | Renato Osoy

    La Fototeca

    Watch now
  • Collage featuring photos of Renato Osoy, a visual artist, with his name and title in Spanish, and the word "PROPÍA" in large letters.

    Laboratorio de Arte Contemporáneo 2017-2018 (segunda generación)

    Fundación Paiz

    Watch now
  • A woman with short dark hair speaking and gesturing with her hands in a room with plain white walls.

    "Arte Contemporáneo"

    Azacuán

    Watch now
  • A woman smiling and holding her hand near her face, standing outdoors near a large poster with multiple people. The name Josseline Pinto appears in large letters on the poster.

    Graduación Agentes Culturales 2016

    Fundación Paiz

    Watch now
  • A book cover titled 'LATINOAMÉRICA EMERGENTE' with the names Ingrid Hernández, Fernando Gallegos, Jorge Linares, and Renato Osoy.

    GuatePhoto 2015 - Latinoamérica Emergente - Moderado por Renato Osoy

    La Fototeca

    Watch now
  • A man [Renato Osoy] with dark hair and a beard sitting on a black and white checkered bench in front of a wooden wall, wearing a dark shirt, jeans, and sneakers.

    Entrevista con Renato Osoy

    La Fototeca

    Watch now
  • A man [Renato Osoy] with dark hair and a beard looking directly at the camera, wearing a blue button-up shirt, with a metallic background behind him.

    Renato Osoy @ IGNITE Amsterdam 30

    MediamaticAmsterdam

    Watch now

Printed Publications