Carlos Tapia

Costa Rican, 1960. Studied architecture and graphic design until 1984; after that, he initiates his studies in painting. In 1992 he sets up his first individual exhibit. From 1992 to 2014 he carries out 20 individual and collective exhibits between Costa Rica, Venezuela, Switzerland and Nicaragua. His work is classified as expressionist, and involves three main topics: cats, architecture and still life. Carlos Tapia is a huge fan of cats and uses them instead of the human figure, whence they become the alter ego. Cities from different periods appear in his architecture-oriented artwork: Renaissance, Baroque or Gothic. Perspective is beautifully transformed and deformed in his architecture and still life artworks. Carlos Tapia’s technique is acrylic on canvas. This modern, expressionist artwork is full of strong, primary colors that project light, joy of living and good humor.

Bicicleta Olvidada

68cm x 100cm

Acryl on canvas
€ 1.870,-

La Gran Noche

135cm x 90cm

Acryl on canvas
€ 1.970,-

Mar Rojo

66cm x 97cm

Acryl on canvas
€ 1.540,-

Paisaje Marino

70cm x 56cm

Acryl on canvas
€ 1.870,-

Traga luz

100 cm x 100cm

Acryl on canvas

Torbellino

130cm x 99cm

Acryl on canvas

Academic Experience:

1979-1984 Studies: Architecture. (UACA), Costa Rica
Individual Exhibits:
2018 Acquisition of the artwork “Rayo de Luna” by: A.T. Tolley Collection, Carletom University Art, Gallery, Ottawa, Director: Sandra Dyck
July 2017 Art Café Costa Rica Country Club. Exhibit “Tapialand”, Costa Rican Landscape. Acrylic on canvas. Medium-format artwork.

Individual Exhibits

2017: National Gallery (Children’s Museum) Exhibit “Tapialand”, Costa Rican Landscape. Acrylic on canvas. Medium-format artwork.
2016: Art Café Costa Rica Country Club. Exhibit “Ying-Yang”, Diverse Artwork. Acrylic on canvas. Medium-format artwork.
November 2015 National Gallery (Children’s Museum) Exhibit “Mi Ojo Derecho”. Large and medium format artwork.

Collective Exhibits

2014: Art Café Costa Rica Country Club, Diverse artwork, San Jose, Costa Rica – Valanti Gallery
2013: Art Café Costa Rica Country Club, Cats, collective exhibit, a tribute to Mr. Rafa Fernández. San Jose, Costa Rica – Valanti Gallery.
2013: Art Café Costa Rica Country Club, Diverse artwork, San Jose, Costa Rica – Valanti Gallery
2012: Second Place, Estandartes Biennial, Tijuana, México
2012: Medicis Gallery, Caracas, Venezuela – Valanti Gallery
2011: Calderón Guardia Museum, San Jose, Costa Rica – Valanti Gallery
2009: Valanti Gallery, F.I.A Caracas, Venezuela
2008: "Children’s Museum" Valanti Gallery – San Jose Costa Rica.
2007: Marriot Los Sueños Hotel, Jacó, Costa Rica - Valanti Gallery
2007: “Villa Eglie”, Zurich, Suiza.
2006: Mural for Billy, CENAC Bridge (aka Los Damas Bridge), downtown San Jose, Costa Rica.
2006: “Micro Macro”, Veritas University Auditorium, San Jose Costa Rica – Valanti Gallery
2006: “Cat Fever”, Calaluna Hotel, Tamarindo, Guanacaste, Costa Rica – Valanti Gallery
2005:“Museo de la Miniatura” Costa Rican Art Museum, San Jose Costa Rica – Valanti Gallery
2004: “Arqus Fantasticus”, Valanti Gallery, San Jose, Costa Rica
2004:  “Calor Color”, Art Café Costa Rica Country Club, San Jose, Costa Rica –Valanti Gallery
2003: Codice Gallery, Managua, Nicaragua –Valanti Gallery
2002: San Jose Palacio Hotel, "Rincones, Flores y Gatos", San Jose, Costa Rica
2002: Alta Hotel, "Gata Vida", San Jose, Costa Rica – Valanti Gallery
2002: Valanti Gallery,"Obras Diversas", Barrio Escalante, San Jose, Costa Rica
2001: "Tropi Cats", Villa Eglie, Zurich, Suiza
2000: Alta Hotel, "Pax Doméstica", San Jose, Costa Rica
1995: José Figueres Ferrer Gallery "Mercado de Pulgas", San Jose, Costa Rica
1993: Dyonisos Gallery, "Desmantelando la Casa", San Jose, Costa Rica
1992: PARADOXE Gallery "Horror Vacui", San Jose, Costa Rica
1992: French Alliance, "Cosas Urbanas", San Jose, Costa Rica