Allocated Spaces

Eduardo Portillo
April 19-May 24, 2014
Opening reception Saturday, April 19, 6:30-8:30 pm
Artist will be in attendance

Eduardo Portillo's works encompass more than just installations: with the influence of painting and sculpture playing a pivotal role in his pieces, Portillo strives to combine the various aspects of a wide range of mediums in order to create an evolving body of work that challenges the preconceived notions of what constitutes a "painting" or a "sculpture."

Installation view

For the works exhibited in Allocated Spaces, decisions were made by creating a conversation between color and a number of physical variations—form, shape, depth, height, scale, surface area and perhaps even movement performed by the viewer—all of which are confined within the space of the gallery. Portillo particularly emphasizes the influence of location. He states, "the pieces redefine themselves and take a position once they are situated within a space." The irregular, angular shapes combined with the use of color allow the works to become active, as they converse with one another and connect with their surrounding architecture. "The strength of the work is in its shape . . . the work is capable of reacting to the gallery wall, a corner of a wall, the ceiling, and even more so, another artwork in front of it" comments Portillo.

With such a process, improvisation is a crucial dynamic in the creation of the pieces. Rather than following a single direction, Portillo allows decisions to be made progressively and oftentimes in the spur of the moment. He states, "the work is a product of me as an individual—my history, temperament, technical facility and mood, as well as a thrust of my personal composition."

Born in El Salvador, Houston-based artist Eduardo E. Portillo arrived in the United States in 2003 to pursue his studies in fine art at the University of Houston. He received his Bachelor of Fine Arts in Painting with a minor in Art History, after graduating with Honors in the summer of 2011.

Portillo has exhibited work across Houston including G Gallery, Houston Community College, San Jacinto Community College, Lawndale Art Center Houston and Avis Frank Gallery. He has additionally exhibited at Blue Star Contemporary in San Antonio. His solo show at Houston Community College Central was a Texas Biennial Participating Organization Exhibit for 2013. He was included as an Artist Participant at the 65th Art League Houston Gala to celebrate the Texas Artist of the Year. Portillo is an active member and curator of the Montrose Art Society.