Bio
Sheila Cuellar-Shaffer has been working as an artist, primarily as a painter, and designer for over 15 years. A native of Palmira, Colombia, Sheila graduated with a degree in Architectural Design from the Fundación Academia de Dibujo Profesional and studied Fine Arts at the Instituto Departamental de Bellas Artes in Cali, Colombia. Sheila is a 2017 Flight School Fellow, an initiative of Pittsburgh Center For The Arts/Pittsburgh Filmmakers, Creative Capital and The Warhol Foundation for the Visual Arts.
Sheila’s work has been shown at the Carnegie Museum of Art, Susquehanna Museum of Art, Westmoreland Museum of American Art, Southern Alleghenies Museum of Art and numerous galleries in Pennsylvania, Florida, New York and Colombia. Sheila has been invited to show her work at the Pennsylvania State Capitol and the United States Department of Energy’s National Energy Technology Laboratory. Her design Democracy is Power was chosen by the Amplifier Foundation curatorial team, which includes Shepard Fairey, to travel around the country with #powertothepolls, a touring exhibit organized by the Amplifier Foundation along with Women’s March to inspire people from around the country to take to the polls for the 2018 Midterm Elections.
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ARTIST STATEMENT
For many years my work was the result of introspection and the passage of time. I created narratives of the under layers of existence, depicting memories of my own reality as an immigrant; exploring identity, diversity. The imagery in my work is based in actual places and experiences although my paintings fluctuate between imaginary landscapes and beings.
Two years ago, political commentary entered my work and I began to address the vast changes I see in society on a daily basis. Through my art I document the reaction to the policial climate, the change in people’s behavior and the nature of political power. Also, I am interested in how basic ideas have played a crucial role in stirring up anger and violence and the distress that this causes to the most vulnerable.
2018
Artistas de Mayo, Eastside Gallery, Pittsburgh, PA
2017
22nd Annual, Western Pennsylvania Council for the Arts, Southern Alleghenies Museum of Art, Ligonier, PA
Small Works, Associated Artists of Pittsburgh, Curated by Jill Larson, Bottle Works, Johnstown, PA (upcoming)
Electric Kool-Aid, Associated Artists of Pittsburgh, Curated by Corey Carrington, Brew House, Pittsburgh, PA
Contemplating Others, Associated Artists of Pittsburgh Curated by Sean Beauford, Jask Gallery, Pittsburgh, PA
2016
105th Annual, Associated Artists of Pittsburgh, Carnegie Museum of Art, Pittsburgh, PA
New Members, Associated Artists of Pittsburgh, The Mine Factory, Pittsburgh, PA
Juried Visual Art Show, Three Rivers Arts Festival, Pittsburgh, PA
2015
Recent Works, Solo Show, 709 Penn Gallery, Pittsburgh Cultural Trust, Pittsburgh, PA
Hispanic Heritage, Susquehanna Art Museum, Harrisburg, PA
Hispanic Heritage Celebration, Pennsylvania State Capitol, Harrisburg, PA
Aquí, Assemble, Pittsburgh, PA
Creative Festival Finalist, Pittsburgh Technology Council/CMU/Pittsburgh Cultural Trust, Pittsburgh, PA
2014
Southmoreland Patrons of the Arts, Alverton, PA
2013
18th Annual Regional Juried Exhibition, Western PA Council for the Arts, Southern Alleghenies Museum of Art, Ligonier, PA
Art in our Midst, Southern Alleghenies Museums of Art, Altoona, PA
Curator, Westmoreland Art Nationals, Youngwood, PA
Curator, Westmoreland Art Nationals, Latrobe, PA
2012
Westmoreland Juried Biennial – Westmoreland Museum of American Art, Greensburg, PA
2011
17th Annual Regional Juried Exhibition, Western PA Council for the Arts, Southern Alleghenies Museum of Art, Ligonier, PA
Annual Gala, Greater Latrobe Partners in Education Foundation, Latrobe, PA
2010
Design Art & Technology DATA Awards, Pittsburgh Technology Council, Pittsburgh, PA
2007
Women’s Works, 709 Penn Gallery, Pittsburgh Cultural Trust, Pittsburgh, PA
Curatorial Biennial, Apexart Gallery, New York, NY
2006
Public Art Commission, Fear the Turtle Sculptures – University of Maryland, College Park, MD
Public Art Commission , Phantastic Phil, Sponsored by Housing Authority of Jefferson County, Punxsutawney, PA
2005
Women in Art, Seton Hill University, Greensburg, PA
Public Art Commission, Phantastic Phil, Sponsored by McDonalds, Punxsutawney, PA
2003
Hispanic Heritage Festival, Office of the Mayor Manny Díaz, Miami, FL
2002
International Biennial II, ARA Gallery, Coral Gables, FL
Conceptual Exhibit El, ARA Gallery, Coral Gables, FL
Transgressing Place, MDC, Centre Gallery, Miami, FL
Rostros, Solo Show, Clínica Peñalver, Miami, FL
Women’s Month, Latin American Art Museum, Miami, FL
2001
105th Anniversary Celebration, Tower Theater, Miami, FL
Rituales, Power International Art Gallery, Coral Gables, FL
Diversity Collection commissioned but Royal Caribbean Cruises
2000
Colectiva, Power International Art Gallery, Coral Gables, FL
1999
From the Other Side, Valter Morais Art Gallery, Coral Gables, FL
Instituto Departamental de Bellas Artes, Santiago de Cali, Colombia
