Born in Englewood, NJ from Colombian parents, Felipe Contreras, a first generation American, is a Veteran form the United States Marine Corps. His life travels have exposed him to all three coasts in the United States as well as South America along with the Middle East and Asia.
He brings those life experiences to his work, combining contemporary language, iconic imagery, and a touch of humor. By utilizing common symbols and juxtaposing them with iconography from the past and the present, Felipe brings forward current socioeconomic issues to the forefront.
The product that is the result of said combinations creates an open line of communication and sets the stage for the viewers to engage in civil discourse. In the end, Felipe’s goal is for the viewer to have been visually and intellectually stimulated.
Education
2005 B.F.A. Painting, University of Houston, Houston, Texas
Exhibitions
2022 BIG IDEAS. Altharetta Yeargin Art Museum, Houston, Texas, November 19 – December 14
Brought To You By The Letter “T”. Hardin-Simons University, Abilene, TX, Aug 29 - Sep 17
2021 Military Inspired Art. Buffalo Soldier Museum. Houston, Texas, July 19 – October 14
2018 Collect it for the Culture. The Union, Houston, Texas, July 12 - August 13
The Summer Union, The Union, Houston, Texas, July 12 – August 13
2017 Trump, The Art Show. Houston, Texas, April 1 – May 3
2016 The Streets Are Dangerous [BE SOMEONE] Houston, Texas, September 23
Known and Underknown. Houston, Texas, April 20 - September 12
The Hunting Art Prize 2016 Finalist. Houston, Texas, April 30
fell-LEE-pay. Mariago Collective, Houston, Texas April 22 - May 13
Under the Gun. Esperson Gallery, Houston, Texas, January 29 - March 4
2015 Reincarnation. Art Car Museum, Houston, Texas, September 19 December 19
The BIG Show. Lawndale Art Center, Houston, Texas, July 10 -August 8
Open Air Artfest (winner). The Mariago Collective, Houston, Texas, June 17
Luck of the Draw. DiverseWorks, Houston, Texas, May 14 - June 13
2014 Dia de los Muertos. Lawndale Art Center, Houston, Texas October 20
Curated Show:
Fantastic Imagination: Fighting Complacency. Mariago Collective, Houston,
Texas, October 25 - November 29
Curated Show:
Four Worlds. Mariago Collective, Houston, Texas, September 13 - Oct 11
Luck of the Draw. DiverseWorks, Houston, Texas, May 15 - June 14
Conflict of Interest. PEVETO, Houston, Texas, February 8 - March 9
2013 Salon des Refuses. BLUEorange, Houston, Texas, July 19 - August 9
FunkMotor. PEVETO/ UP Art Studio, Houston, Texas, July 13 - August 10
The BIG Show. Lawndale Art Center, Houston, Texas, July 12
Thank You Houston! Group Show. East End Studio Gallery. Houston,
The Hunting Art Prize 2013 Finalist. Houston, Texas July 7
Luck of the Draw. DiverseWorks, Houston, Texas, May 2 and May 4
Contemporary Art Month 2013. 107 Gallery, San Antonio, Texas, March 2
2012 Dia de los Muertos. Lawndale Art Center, Houston, Texas, October 22 - Nov 10
Eye Candy. Poissant Gallery, Houston, Texas, October 5 - 27
Lucha X Vida. East End Studio Gallery, Houston, Texas, September 14 - 28
Luck of the Draw. DiverseWorks, Houston, Texas, March 18
2011 Redefinition 8, An Artistic Experience. Ensemble Theater, Houston, TX, December 30
The BIG Show. Lawndale, Houston, Texas, July 1 - 30
Salon Des Refuses. Gallery M Squared, Houston, Texas, July 1 - 9
2010 Redefinition 7, An Artistic Experience. Ensemble Theater, Houston, TX, December 30
Tattoo/Taboo. Poissant Gallery, Houston, Texas, July 10 - August 14
2009 Filtered. Poissant Gallery, Houston, Texas, November 6 - 28
2008 A Time For Change. Deborah Colton Gallery, Houston, Texas, Sept. 20 - Nov. 4
2007 BBAP 2007 XMAS Tree Show. Wortham Center, Houston, Texas, Dec 1- Jan 4
My God Told Me To Kill Your God. Rice University, Houston, Texas, October
Art Of War. Poissant Gallery, Houston, Texas, September 7 - 28