Biography
Born in the Caribbean City of Barranquilla, Colombia (1967), Arturo joined the Society of Jesus, Colombian Province in 1986. He worked in pastoral services in different parishes in his own country. He was a teacher of philosophy and theology in several high schools in Colombia and at Javeriana University. He was ordained as a priest in 1999 and worked as a campus ministry director of San Juan Berchmans School in Cali, Colombia. six years ago Arturo moved to United State to study art. Arturo earned a BA from Seattle University in 2005, and a BFA from Cornish College of the Arts in 2008.
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Artist Statement
The inspiration for my art-making comes from my personal experience of waiting for hope, peace, transformation, resurrection, and justice. In a few instances in my life, the transformations appeared before me and brought sense, meaning and light to everything. After those “revelations” nothing remained the same. The experience of waiting opened multiple human experiences, sometimes dark and painful and sometimes peaceful and joyful.
La inspiración de mi hacer aristíco viene de mi experiencia personal de la espera de paz, transformación, resurrección y justicia. En algunos momentos de mi vida, la transformación aparece delante de mi, trayendo sentido, significado y luz a todo. Después de estas “revelaciones” nada permanence lo mismo. La experiencia de la espera abre múltiples experiencias humanas, algunas veces obscuras y dolorosas y otras veces pacíficas y gozosas.
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Artist Resume
1. Solo Exhibitions
2008. BFA Show. Cornish College of the Arts, Seattle, WA. USA
2005. Honors major project exhibition. Chapel of Saint Ignatius, Seattle University. Seattle, WA. USA
2. Goup Exhibitions
2007 Book Art Exhibition. Kinsey Gallery. Seattle, WA. January 8- February 28.
2006. Evénement Art sacré / Chantier. Quebec. Gesu Center per le Creativite. September
2005. Advent Season. Chapel of Saint Ignatious. Seattle, WA. December 9, 2005.
Flourish II. Washington State Convention & Trade Center. Seattle, WA.
July- September.
2005. Fine Arts Spring Reception. Vachon Room. Seattle, WA. June 1- June 13.
2005. Gallery 37, Fourteenth Annual College Student Competition of Spiritual Art. Chicago, IL.
2005. Pied Beauty. Contemporary Jesuit Art. Kansas City, MO.
1995. Colegio San Francisco Javier. Pasto Colombia.
1994. Exhibicion de Artistas Berchmans. Centro Anglo-Colombiano.
September 1- 28. Cali, Colombia.
1992. Taller Olivares. Hall PUJ. December 1- December 16. Bogotá, Colombia.
3. Experience:
2006. Institute for Liturgy and Worship. Presentation of “The Gospel of Light”,
Seattle University. Summer.
2006. Art Walk. Honors Presentation of “The Gospel of Light”.
2005. Calligraphy Workshop. Seattle University.
1993-1994. Art teacher at San Juan Berchmans School, Cali, Colombia.
1992. Founder of “Taller Olivares”. Bogotá Colombia.
1992. Illustrator of “Compartir”. Newsprint of Fe y Alegria. Bogotá, Colombia.
1992.Illustrator of “La Alegria de Leer”. Official school book. Republic of Colombia, Ministry of Education.
1988- 1992.Art teacher at the community center of Santa Librada. Bogotá. Colombia
4 Commissions:
2001. Theater backgrounds at Saint John Berchmans School, Cali, Colombia.
1998. Mural at Saint Francis Xavier Church. Bogota, Colombia.
1998. Public mural at Saint Francis Xavier Church, Bogotá, Colombia.
1998. Mural at the Chapel of Jerusalem. Bogotá. Colombia.
5. Bibliography:
Seattle University Magazine, “Creating a Gospel of Light”, Spring 2006, pp. 8.
The Catholic Northwest Progress, “Libros de Adviento Creados por el Rev. Arturo Araujo, SJ”, March 2, 2006, pp. 15.
The Source, “Clay from 24 global locales blend into beautiful Advent tribute by Seattle University art student”, January 2006, pp.7.
Company Magazine, “Jesuit Artist Gives Lasting Gift”, Winter 2005, pp.17.
Broadway and Madison Newsletter, “Jesuit Artist gives lasting gift to SU”, December 5, 2005.
The Seattle Times, “Exotic and divine meld in richly adorned text”, December 3, 2005, pp. B1.
Fragments Magazine, “Waiting for Light”, “Birth house”, spring 2004.Vol. 47. pp. 12, 17
Fragments Magazine, Study of Hair for the battle of Alhiari”, Spring 2004,
Vol. 46. pp.44.
Seattle University, Alumni Seminar Brochure, “Tree”, 2003
• Fragments Magazine, “Tree”, Spring 2003, Vol 45. pp. 17.
• El Caleno, “Exhibicion de Artistas Berchmans” November 2, 1994.
6. Collections:
2006. Seattle University Library, Chapel of St. Ignatius: “The Gospel of Light”. Seattle, WA.
2005. Greenlease Gallery, Ruckhurst University: “Waiting for Light”. Kansas City, MO.
7. Publications:
2007. President’s Christmas card, “Gospel of Light” Seattle University, Seattle, WA.
2007. Calendar 2007, “Gospel of Light, Seattle University, Seattle, WA.
2006. Post card, “Day of Creation”. Seattle University, Seattle, WA.
2005. Christmas Card, “El Nacimiento”. Colegio San Estanislao de Kostka, Malaga, Spain.
8. Education:
2006. Bachelor of Arts major in Visual Arts. Seattle University. Summa Cum Laude. United States.
1998. License in Theology. Pontificia Universidad Javeriana. Magna Cum Laude. Bogotá, Colombia.
1992. Bachelor of Art mayor in Philosophy. Pontificia Universidad Javeriana. Magna Cum Laude. Bogotá, Colombia.
Currently a BFA student at Cornish College of the Art.
9. Honors:
2006. Departmental honors in fine art.
2006. Alpha Sigma Nu, Jesuit Honor Society, Seattle University. 2006.
2003-2006. President's Scholarship, Seattle University.
10. Professional Affiliations:
Seattle Print Association.
Book Art Guild.
