Sculptor Raul Oscar Gomez

Contests
• Pueblo Nativo Symposium, Villa Giardino, Argentina, 2011.
• 1st Symposium of Sculpture, Santa Cruz, 1999.
• I National Biennial of Sports, 1988.
• 1st International Biennial of Sculpture, Resistencia, Argentina.
• I Symposium of Sculpture, Villa Gesell, Argentina, 1996.
• I Symposium on Stone, Leandro N. Alem, Misiones, Argentina.
• II American Triennial of Sculpture, Resistencia, Argentina, 1993.
• I National Symposium on Monumental Sculpure, Bahía Blanca, Argentina, 1976.
• Villany City Sculpture Park Symposium, Hungary, 1975.
• Nagyatad City Sculpture Park Symposium, Hungary, 1975.

Prizes
• Diploma of merit, Konex Visual Arts award, 2012
• Object Sculpture, 1st National Biennial of Sculpture in sports, 1999.
• 1st prize International Biennial of Sculptures, Resistencia, Argentina, 1998.
• 1st Prize Scholarship for the creation of the Arts National Fund, 1995.
• Antorcha Foundation Scholarship given to outstanding Argentinian artist.
• Trabuco Foundation Award.
• National Academy of Fine Arts award at 1st National Triennial of Sculptures, Resistencia.
• 1stprize National Gallery of Fine Arts, Argentina, 1994.
• Great Honor Award National Gallery of Fine Arts, 1993.
• 1st prize Manuel Belgrano Municipal Gallery, 1987.

Technique
Assembled stainless steel plate.

Message of the project
Dream and promise. New things are inserted in the old ones, in the same way an iron wedge breaks the block, causing social and economic elements appear once again as an unceasing flow of history in the continuity of time, making the appropriate conditions for the gestation of a new man.

Interview to Raul Oscar Gomez

• What’s the place that you live like?
I live in Buenos Aires, half way heavens and hell, or, in other words, it is wonderful when I am at home, where my workshop is, but when I go out and have to move from one place to another, things change.
• Can you share with us a happy memory from your childhood?
At the age of 5, when the Three Wise Men brought me a tricycle as a present.
• When did your love for sculptures begun?
At the age of 18, when I began to attend the Fine Arts School. I wanted to be a painter, but I later discovered Sculpture and I learnt that it was for me.
• What does art mean in your life?
Everything.
• Do you have any other profession besides sculpting?
Stage designer.
• A model artist that you admire – fine artist, filmmaker, writer, philosopher
Rebeca Horn, artist; Jacques Tati, Film maker; Julio Cortázar, Writer, Alain Badiou, Philosophist.
• A world famous work of art that you admire
La Pietà Rondanini, Miguel Ángel Buonarroti.
• A book or author you recommend
“Zen en el arte del tiro con Arco”, Eugen Herrigel.
• Which historical or political event do you think most affected your country’s present?
Peronism.
• Do you practice any religion?
No.
• Can you share with us a traditional recipe from your country?
Barbacue.

• What is the status or importance of art in your country?
What is the role of the artist in your society?
An artist builds a relationship with society when he/she observes it, and build languages for it, languages that show society in its relevant constitutional aspects, adding its functional needs: architecture, objects to be used, relationships with living spaces, related to whom we live in it. Artists labors have built a universe, that over the times, cultural options and information resulted in works of art. The relationship art-society comes from the very beginning of life.
The environment and its surroundings give to the artist some meanings, but also build tools, structures and relevant events for the living people. In the same way, humans living in communities, create a sense of belonging and representativeness.
• Have you already been to South America and Argentina?
What are your expectations for the City of Resistencia and its Biennial?
I know Resistencia and I participated in four events that Urunday Foundation organized. I am anxious to go back, because people from Chaco are very friendly, and it is a big honor to be chosen to represent Argentina. I hope to step up to this challenge, considering that participant sculptors and jurors are very important.
• What the slogan “Hommo Novus” makes you think about? Can you tell us something about the work of art you are going to make?
New things embed old things, as a steel wedge breaks a block, making new social and economic elements appear as a relentless flow of history in the continuity of time, creating conditions to create a new man.