Meet Bernardo Vallarino

We had the good fortune of connecting with Bernardo Vallarino and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Bernardo, why did you decide to pursue a creative path?
I pursued an artistic career as a means of expressing my dissatisfaction with certain social behaviors and politics. Activism, political engagement, and philanthropy have been ingrained in me since childhood. However, I never found the idea of being directly involved in politics appealing. Instead, through art, I discovered a way to shed light on what I perceive as shortcomings in a manner that encourages introspection and potentially motivates action.

Let’s talk shop? Tell us more about your career, what can you share with our community?
I am a sculptor and installation artist deeply interested in geopolitical issues related to violence and human suffering. My artworks serve as reflections of my observations on the hypocrisy that I believe exists between the rhetoric of human life and the violent behavior of humanity. I aim to engage audiences visually, morally, and philosophically, highlighting the disregard for human lives by overlaying concepts about the perceived worth of “the others” with metaphors related to vermin—a common analogy used throughout history to strip others of their humanity. What sets me apart is my subtle and genuine ability to incorporate my personal experiences as a tri-country person (US-born Colombian), a migrant, and a Latin gay man into my work, addressing global social issues.

I take great pride in many accomplishments, from local recognition to museum exhibitions, all result from dedication, focus, and constant art making. One particular achievement I am very proud of is my ability to use my real estate career as a foundation for maintaining the genuine identity and voice of my art, unwavering from market pressures.

I am currently working on a new artistic focus where I explore our social relationship with guns through a conceptual lens of the word “fetish” and its meanings. Some of these new artworks will be on display at my solo show “Size Matters – The Golden Rule” at Ro2 in Dallas in the fall of 2024. The exhibition will include new installations, video artwork, 2-dimensional, and 3-dimensional pieces.

Let’s say your best friend was visiting the area and you wanted to show them the best time ever. Where would you take them? Give us a little itinerary – say it was a week long trip, where would you eat, drink, visit, hang out, etc.
When visiting Fort Worth, a day at the Stockyards is a must. The classic Wild West experience is a great draw. The day would start with a wonderful breakfast at the Drover before touring and shopping at the Stockyards. After soaking in the area, we would head to Ático for a nice happy hour, followed by fajitas and margaritas at Joe T’s. Then, we could spend the rest of the evening two-stepping at Billi Bob’s. Another great day could be a slow day visiting all the museums in the Cultural District with lunch at the Fort Worth Modern, followed by taps and sangria at Tapas Si in the Crockett Row complex. There are tons of other wonderful things to do in Fort Worth, like biking along the Trinity, visiting the zoo, and enjoying some specialty cocktails on Magnolia Street or at the Basement Lounge of Camp Bowie. Just outside of Fort Worth, we could take a quick trip to Weatherford or Granbury. Or go to Arlington to see the entertainment district and the Arlington Museum of Art.

The Shoutout series is all about recognizing that our success and where we are in life is at least somewhat thanks to the efforts, support, mentorship, love and encouragement of others. So is there someone that you want to dedicate your shoutout to?
I want to give a big shoutout to my mom. She is my biggest supporter, my number one fan, my studio assistant, and my inspiration for resilience and hard work. This is not to say that there aren’t many others within the art community and my life who are also very important to my growth.

Website: www.bernardovallarino.art

Instagram: @bernardovallarinoart

Linkedin: www.linkedin.com/in/bernardovallarinoart

Facebook: @bernardovallarinoart

Youtube: @bernardovallarinoart