Original footage(1998/2000) by Ron Reed. Video by Chad Chin. Commentary by Brian Burnett. Scroll down for biography.

 
 

Andrés Correa was born February 27, 1975, Toronto, Canada. The eldest son of three children. His family immigrated to Canada from Colombia in the early 1970’s. His father Hugo and mother Leonor had cultivated tastes, devoted to poetry, music and art. They encouraged Andrés artistic inclinations at an early age. He began his studies with Ontario College of Art (OCAD) and The Toronto School of Art, where he received a full scholarship and graduated. Andrés furthered his classical art education at The Art Students League of New York. Andrés often calls New York his second home. When not in school, Andrés actively painted at countless local YMCA’s, food banks and charities. Viewed strange and unconventional at the time, Andrés arrived at art class and local events with various objects to paint on. Common amongst artists, unable to afford basic materials living on his own, Andrés basically grabbed any flat object he could carry off the streets of Toronto.

“Old doors, frames, chairs, cardboard helped me practice my painting techniques on different mediums as oppose to a traditional canvas.”

From the mid 1990’s, Andrés branched out into the underground scene at clubs and bars all over the cities of Toronto, Ottawa, (Canada) to Manhattan, Brooklyn, Bronx, (New York).

“Many of my friends are DJ’s. They would get a gig, they spun and I painted, pretty simple. It was a way to survive. This was way advertise the food banks and get exposure for the work I made in the studio on my own time...” Andrés

Andrés continues to exhibit and do live paintings at private galas, charity events, food banks, hospitals, YMCA’s in Canada and the United States.

“I thank all my teachers, friends, parents and most of all my lovely wife and kids who have been by my side every step of the way. I just try to focus and apply all that I have learned over the years about tone, colour, line, perspective...” Andrés

Like many artists, Andrés has overcome obstacles. One outstanding personal achievement is coping with dyslexia. This does not deter him from his dream or passion for art. This Canadian Colombian’s narrative paintings are found around the world, each showing different periods of style that change with the times. His breadth of styles allows him to stay fresh and project his exact feelings as they relate to everyone.

“The emotion that Andrés portrays in his artwork is mirrored by the struggles, the pain and the beauty in our society. His style evolves with the times. Powerful sense of line and the vibrant use of tasteful colour create a magnetic vibe.” Flavio (Curator)

“It’s beautiful we speak many languages but being a visual artist helps to break barriers in understanding each other without words.  I try to reflect on what is happening around me, whether it be how I feel or what I see. Applying elements of art, I try to fuse everything I’ve learned from my own ideas, experiences, education as well as past and contemporary artists, musicians, scientists, writers etc.  From that I pick and choose ideas to form the images I come up with.” Andrés Correa

Written and web design by Chad Chin

Thank you for your support, ac@andrescorrea.com