![Mery Godigna Collet photo](https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/7/71/Mery_Godigna_Collet_photo.jpg)
Mery Godigna Collet (born Mery Beatriz Antonieta Godigna Collet, April 8, 1959 in
Caracas
Caracas (, ), officially Santiago de León de Caracas, abbreviated as CCS, is the capital and largest city of Venezuela, and the center of the Metropolitan Region of Caracas (or Greater Caracas). Caracas is located along the Guaire River in the ...
, Venezuela) is a
Venezuelan
Venezuela (; ), officially the Bolivarian Republic of Venezuela ( es, link=no, República Bolivariana de Venezuela), is a country on the northern coast of South America, consisting of a continental landmass and many islands and islets in th ...
artist, writer, philanthropist and environmental advocate living in
Austin, Texas
Austin is the capital city of the U.S. state of Texas, as well as the county seat, seat and largest city of Travis County, Texas, Travis County, with portions extending into Hays County, Texas, Hays and Williamson County, Texas, Williamson co ...
.
Early life
The Godigna Collet family moved to Europe when she was 3 years old. She spent her childhood and adolescence in Spain, France and Italy. She returned to
Caracas
Caracas (, ), officially Santiago de León de Caracas, abbreviated as CCS, is the capital and largest city of Venezuela, and the center of the Metropolitan Region of Caracas (or Greater Caracas). Caracas is located along the Guaire River in the ...
, Venezuela and studied art, design and architecture earning a bachelor's degree in architecture in 1987 from
Universidad Central de Venezuela
The Central University of Venezuela (Spanish: ''Universidad Central de Venezuela''; UCV) is a public university of Venezuela located in Caracas. It is widely held to be the highest ranking institution in the country, and it also ranks 18th in L ...
.
In the early 1970s, while living in
Madrid
Madrid ( , ) is the capital and most populous city of Spain. The city has almost 3.4 million inhabitants and a metropolitan area population of approximately 6.7 million. It is the second-largest city in the European Union (EU), and ...
, Spain, she attended as an unregistered student (due to her young age) to the
Real Academia de Bellas Artes de San Fernando
The Real Academia de Bellas Artes de San Fernando (RABASF; ), located on the Calle de Alcalá in the heart of Madrid, currently functions as a museum and gallery. A public law corporation, it is integrated together with other Spanish royal acad ...
, where she discovered the power of art to communicate and promote causes.
Artist
Since the beginning of her career Godigna Collet explores the coexistence between humans and environment through social and political issues.
Her art work is supported by the versatile use of diverse materials, applied in installations, paintings, sculptures, photography and video, challenging the viewer through the use of new techniques and unconventional materials in the making of her art. As a minimalistic conceptualist, her own approach to the materials and techniques used in the artwork is that concepts translate through matter.
[http://www.teknemedia.net/archivi/2007/7/6/mostra/23906.html]
Environmental advocate
Her work is based in promoting a conscious use of natural resources and technology. Since 2007, for her exhibitions she holds discussion panels pertinent to the show, that bring together the community and experts in diverse fields as well as workshops which promote ecological awareness.
During interviews on radio, television or magazines, she makes a call for reflection over environmental issues.
In 2012 her work was selected to be displayed and to be the image of a conference about issues of dependence on oil as an energy source and on the human rights consequences of that reliance, held at the
University of Texas at Austin
The University of Texas at Austin (UT Austin, UT, or Texas) is a public research university in Austin, Texas. It was founded in 1883 and is the oldest institution in the University of Texas System. With 40,916 undergraduate students, 11,075 ...
organized by the Center for Global Energy, International Arbitration, and Environmental Law and the Bernard and Audre Rapoport Center for Human Rights and Justice.
In 2016 her artwork "Let's Talk Volume" was selected by the City of
Austin, Texas
Austin is the capital city of the U.S. state of Texas, as well as the county seat, seat and largest city of Travis County, Texas, Travis County, with portions extending into Hays County, Texas, Hays and Williamson County, Texas, Williamson co ...
through the program of Art in Public Places, to be installed for the occasion of celebrating International Environment Day.
Philanthropist
Through her art and its visual power to provoke thought, Godigna Collet support several causes related to human rights. From Venezuela, Miami, Italy and
Texas
Texas (, ; Spanish language, Spanish: ''Texas'', ''Tejas'') is a state in the South Central United States, South Central region of the United States. At 268,596 square miles (695,662 km2), and with more than 29.1 million residents in 2 ...
, she had shown her work to raise funds to promote support for women and children victims of violence, residencies for artists in need, victims of AIDS and indigenous populations.
In 2007 she traveled extensively through the Venezuelan Amazon collecting several legends from indigenous cultural lore, that traditionally are transmitted orally from one generation to the next.
Insuring their documentation and preservation she has organized exhibitions about the subject in Venezuela, Italy, France and the United States, and has preserved them at the archives of the
Nettie Lee Benson Latin American Collection
Nettie may refer to:
Literature
*The Nettie Palmer Prize for Non-fiction, an Australian literary award offered for a published work of non-fiction and a component of the annual Victorian Premier's Literary Award
Medicine
* Nettie pot, also net ...
at the
University of Texas at Austin
The University of Texas at Austin (UT Austin, UT, or Texas) is a public research university in Austin, Texas. It was founded in 1883 and is the oldest institution in the University of Texas System. With 40,916 undergraduate students, 11,075 ...
, and she gives free lectures about the subject.
Writer
Mery Godigna Collet has published in limited edition and in Spanish two books; "Nightly Exercises Notebook" (1995) and "Made with Fiber" (2003), and three art research studies "Matter, Time, and Space" (1997), "Metallic Light" (2006), "Extra Virgin Petrus Oil", 2008.
She collaborated with Le Club monthly magazine in
Caracas, Venezuela
Caracas (, ), officially Santiago de León de Caracas, abbreviated as CCS, is the capital and largest city of Venezuela, and the center of the Metropolitan Region of Caracas (or Greater Caracas). Caracas is located along the Guaire River in the ...
, La Gazette du Jeudi, weekly publication in
Paris France
Paris () is the capital and most populous city of France, with an estimated population of 2,165,423 residents in 2019 in an area of more than 105 km² (41 sq mi), making it the 30th most densely populated city in the world in 2020. Sin ...
, and currently contributes to Viceversa magazine in New York.
Career
Mery Godigna Collet has participated in 26 solo and 36 group exhibitions in Venezuela, Colombia, Mexico, Spain, Italy, France, Germany, the Netherlands, Belgium, New York, Miami,
New Mexico
)
, population_demonym = New Mexican ( es, Neomexicano, Neomejicano, Nuevo Mexicano)
, seat = Santa Fe
, LargestCity = Albuquerque
, LargestMetro = Tiguex
, OfficialLang = None
, Languages = English, Spanish ( New Mexican), Navajo, Ker ...
and
Texas
Texas (, ; Spanish language, Spanish: ''Texas'', ''Tejas'') is a state in the South Central United States, South Central region of the United States. At 268,596 square miles (695,662 km2), and with more than 29.1 million residents in 2 ...
.
In 1985 and 1986 she was an assistant professor in Design 07 and Taller Ventrillon (hand free drawing) at
Universidad Central.
In 1990 she founded the utilitarian art firm Neo-Arkhos and served as Director until 1994 promoting contemporary designers. From 2007 to 2009 she served as Director for Fundaya Foundation a nonprofit organization whose mission was to aid indigenous populations in Venezuela. Since 2014 is part of the Board of International Woman's Foundation based in
Marfa, Texas
Marfa is a city in the high desert of the Trans-Pecos in far West Texas, between the Davis Mountains and Big Bend National Park. It is the county seat of Presidio County, Texas, Presidio County, and its population as of the 2010 United States Cens ...
, that provides residencies for artists and promotes their work.
In 2014 she co-founded the "Crosswalk Project" to improve pedestrian and handicap safety for the urban environment.
She has given several art lectures and workshops in Venezuela,
Texas
Texas (, ; Spanish language, Spanish: ''Texas'', ''Tejas'') is a state in the South Central United States, South Central region of the United States. At 268,596 square miles (695,662 km2), and with more than 29.1 million residents in 2 ...
and Italy. She is a member of the Accademia di Arte di la Citta di
Ferrara, Italy
Ferrara (, ; egl, Fràra ) is a city and ''comune'' in Emilia-Romagna, northern Italy, capital of the Province of Ferrara. it had 132,009 inhabitants. It is situated northeast of Bologna, on the Po di Volano, a branch channel of the main stream ...
and of Mexic-Arte Museum in
Austin
Austin is the capital city of the U.S. state of Texas, as well as the seat and largest city of Travis County, with portions extending into Hays and Williamson counties. Incorporated on December 27, 1839, it is the 11th-most-populous city ...
Texas.
Solo exhibitions
* 1995 Dimelo Tu. Galeria El Muro,
Caracas, Venezuela
Caracas (, ), officially Santiago de León de Caracas, abbreviated as CCS, is the capital and largest city of Venezuela, and the center of the Metropolitan Region of Caracas (or Greater Caracas). Caracas is located along the Guaire River in the ...
* 1996 Blue. Galeria El Muro,
Caracas, Venezuela
Caracas (, ), officially Santiago de León de Caracas, abbreviated as CCS, is the capital and largest city of Venezuela, and the center of the Metropolitan Region of Caracas (or Greater Caracas). Caracas is located along the Guaire River in the ...
* 1997 Retratos. Galeria Ars Forum,
Caracas, Venezuela
Caracas (, ), officially Santiago de León de Caracas, abbreviated as CCS, is the capital and largest city of Venezuela, and the center of the Metropolitan Region of Caracas (or Greater Caracas). Caracas is located along the Guaire River in the ...
* 1998 De Suenos, Ilusiones, Laberintos y Temores, Galeria Ars Forum,
Caracas, Venezuela
Caracas (, ), officially Santiago de León de Caracas, abbreviated as CCS, is the capital and largest city of Venezuela, and the center of the Metropolitan Region of Caracas (or Greater Caracas). Caracas is located along the Guaire River in the ...
* 2000 Penelope's Tapestries. Venezuelan Consulate in
N.Y., N.Y.
* 2000 Penelope's Tapestries. Eastern National Bank,
Miami, Florida
Miami ( ), officially the City of Miami, known as "the 305", "The Magic City", and "Gateway to the Americas", is a East Coast of the United States, coastal metropolis and the County seat, county seat of Miami-Dade County, Florida, Miami-Dade C ...
* 2001 Aqua. 1221 Brickell Ave.
Miami, FL
Miami ( ), officially the City of Miami, known as "the 305", "The Magic City", and "Gateway to the Americas", is a coastal metropolis and the county seat of Miami-Dade County in South Florida, United States. With a population of 442,241 at the ...
* 2002 Windows. Galeria Punto de Arte,
Caracas, Venezuela
Caracas (, ), officially Santiago de León de Caracas, abbreviated as CCS, is the capital and largest city of Venezuela, and the center of the Metropolitan Region of Caracas (or Greater Caracas). Caracas is located along the Guaire River in the ...
* 2002 Windows. Museo del Discurso de Angostura,
Ciudad Bolivar, Venezuela
* 2003 En Tono de Fibra. Sala de Arte Sidor (Siderurgica del Orinoco)
Puerto Ordaz, Venezuela
* 2007 Mares Metalicos. Monumento Historico La Rocca,
Cento, Italy
The Middle East Treaty Organization (METO), also known as the Baghdad Pact and subsequently known as the Central Treaty Organization (CENTO), was a military alliance of the Cold War. It was formed in 24 February 1955 by Pahlavi dynasty, Iran, Kin ...
* 2007 Mares Metalicos. Galleria Il Carbone,
Ferrara, Italy
Ferrara (, ; egl, Fràra ) is a city and ''comune'' in Emilia-Romagna, northern Italy, capital of the Province of Ferrara. it had 132,009 inhabitants. It is situated northeast of Bologna, on the Po di Volano, a branch channel of the main stream ...
* 2008 Mares Metalicos. Gallerie Expression Libre, Paris, France
* 2011 Extra Virgin Petrus Oil. Petroleum Museum, TX
* 2012 Extra Virgin Petrus Oil. Rapoport Center for Human Rights & Energy Center University of
Texas
Texas (, ; Spanish language, Spanish: ''Texas'', ''Tejas'') is a state in the South Central United States, South Central region of the United States. At 268,596 square miles (695,662 km2), and with more than 29.1 million residents in 2 ...
,
Austin, Texas
Austin is the capital city of the U.S. state of Texas, as well as the county seat, seat and largest city of Travis County, Texas, Travis County, with portions extending into Hays County, Texas, Hays and Williamson County, Texas, Williamson co ...
* 2012 El Dorado. Benson Collection University of Texas,
Austin, Texas
Austin is the capital city of the U.S. state of Texas, as well as the county seat, seat and largest city of Travis County, Texas, Travis County, with portions extending into Hays County, Texas, Hays and Williamson County, Texas, Williamson co ...
* 2012 El Dorado.
Delizia di Belriguardo
Delizia di Belriguardo is the headquarters of the Museo civico di Belriguardo. It was built by Niccolò III d'Este. Lucrezia Borgia stayed here frequently.
At the end of the 1400s, Sabadino degli Arienti wrote a description of the palazzo. In 1 ...
,
Ferrara, Italy
Ferrara (, ; egl, Fràra ) is a city and ''comune'' in Emilia-Romagna, northern Italy, capital of the Province of Ferrara. it had 132,009 inhabitants. It is situated northeast of Bologna, on the Po di Volano, a branch channel of the main stream ...
* 2013 Extra Virgin Petrus Oil. Nina Torres Fine Art
Miami, FL
Miami ( ), officially the City of Miami, known as "the 305", "The Magic City", and "Gateway to the Americas", is a coastal metropolis and the county seat of Miami-Dade County in South Florida, United States. With a population of 442,241 at the ...
* 2013 Evpo. Caridi Gallery,
Miami, Florida
Miami ( ), officially the City of Miami, known as "the 305", "The Magic City", and "Gateway to the Americas", is a East Coast of the United States, coastal metropolis and the County seat, county seat of Miami-Dade County, Florida, Miami-Dade C ...
* 2014 Marfa's Phantoms. Historic Landmark & Museum Building 98,
Marfa, Texas
Marfa is a city in the high desert of the Trans-Pecos in far West Texas, between the Davis Mountains and Big Bend National Park. It is the county seat of Presidio County, Texas, Presidio County, and its population as of the 2010 United States Cens ...
* 2014 Extra Virgin Petrus Oil. LUHCA,
Lubbock, Texas
Lubbock ( )
is the 10th-most populous city in the U.S. state of Texas and the seat of government of Lubbock County. With a population of 260,993 in 2021, the city is also the 85th-most populous in the United States. The city is in the northw ...
* 2014 Wandering Skin. OBE,
Austin, Texas
Austin is the capital city of the U.S. state of Texas, as well as the county seat, seat and largest city of Travis County, Texas, Travis County, with portions extending into Hays County, Texas, Hays and Williamson County, Texas, Williamson co ...
* 2015 No Particular Shape.
Ferrara, Italy
Ferrara (, ; egl, Fràra ) is a city and ''comune'' in Emilia-Romagna, northern Italy, capital of the Province of Ferrara. it had 132,009 inhabitants. It is situated northeast of Bologna, on the Po di Volano, a branch channel of the main stream ...
, presented by Galleria Dil Carbone. Ferrara, Italy
* 2015 Evpo. Greasewood Gallery,
Marfa, Texas
Marfa is a city in the high desert of the Trans-Pecos in far West Texas, between the Davis Mountains and Big Bend National Park. It is the county seat of Presidio County, Texas, Presidio County, and its population as of the 2010 United States Cens ...
* 2015 Extra Virgin Petrus Oil. Warehouse 1–10,
Magdalena, New Mexico
Magdalena is a village in Socorro County, New Mexico, United States. The population was 938 at the 2010 census.
"The Lady on the Mountain" is a rock formation on Magdalena Peak overlooking Magdalena. Spanish soldiers saw the profile of a woman on ...
* 2016 "Petro Poems" ESB-MACC,
Austin, Texas
Austin is the capital city of the U.S. state of Texas, as well as the county seat, seat and largest city of Travis County, Texas, Travis County, with portions extending into Hays County, Texas, Hays and Williamson County, Texas, Williamson co ...
Museum collections
* MexicArte Museum,
Austin TX
* Museo de Arte Contemporáneo del Zulia,
Maracaibo, Venezuela
)
, motto = "''Muy noble y leal''"(English: "Very noble and loyal")
, anthem =
, image_map =
, mapsize =
, map_alt = ...
.
* Latin American Art Museum,
Miami, Florida
Miami ( ), officially the City of Miami, known as "the 305", "The Magic City", and "Gateway to the Americas", is a East Coast of the United States, coastal metropolis and the County seat, county seat of Miami-Dade County, Florida, Miami-Dade C ...
.
* Galleria D'Arte Moderno di Cento,
Bologna, Italy
Bologna (, , ; egl, label= Emilian, Bulåggna ; lat, Bononia) is the capital and largest city of the Emilia-Romagna region in Northern Italy. It is the seventh most populous city in Italy with about 400,000 inhabitants and 150 different nat ...
* Petroleum Museum,
Midland, Texas
Midland is a city in and the county seat of Midland County, Texas, United States. A small part of Midland is in Martin County.
At the 2020 census, Midland's population was 132,524. It is the principal city of the Midland, Texas metropolitan ...
References
External links
* https://web.archive.org/web/20160206162804/http://www.godignacollet.com/
*http://www.lib.utexas.edu/benson
*http://www.mexic-artemuseum.org/
*http://www.internationalwomansfoundation.org/
*http://marfapublicradio.org/blog/west-texas-talk/artist-mery-godigna-collet-at-building-98/
{{DEFAULTSORT:Godigna Collet, Mery
Artists from Caracas
Living people
1959 births
Venezuelan expatriates in the United States
Central University of Venezuela alumni
South American environmentalists
Women environmentalists
Venezuelan artists
Venezuelan activists