Jose Margulis

“The 3D nature of life continuously inspires me. Everything with shape and volume that interacts with my personal space becomes a source of inspiration. Pyramids, spheres, and squares are primordial symbols that resonate deeply with my psyche.”  Jose Margulis, Sculptor

Jose Margulis is a 3D geometric abstract artist whose work reflects an extraordinary eye for color theory as he uses plexiglass, acrylic and aluminum composite materials to create sculptural work that to the viewer, projects an illusion of shape shifting artwork. The dynamic energy and movement of Jose’s work is transformational -- both for the art itself and for the viewer. “The patterns I create are not fixed; they change as the viewer shifts their perspective. This transformation fascinates me, showing how easily our understanding can shift with a simple change in viewpoint. I explore these different perspectives, revealing the complex layers of our beliefs and biases. Through my art, I aim to capture those moments when we realize how easily we can misjudge our surroundings, all the while holding on to our ideas of truth”.

Margulis was born in Caracas, Venezuela, in 1970. Like most artists from his generation, he came of age with the rise of Geometric Abstraction, being particularly influenced by the Venezuelan kinetic master Jesús Soto and Russian constructivist Naum Gabo. The artist took photography classes at the Instituto Neumann (1987) and earned a B.A. in Management from the Universidad Metropolitana, Caracas (2003). After working in the family for a while, he decided to follow his passion for art. His exploration of digital printing in his workplace led him to progressively become interested in sculpture. Today, his artwork is the result of an intrinsic connection between digital work, photography, and sculpture.

The artist is drawn to scenes that allow him to explore composition in its most basic geometric forms: symmetry, asymmetry, volume, shapes, forms, limits, transitions and more. The challenge of creating balanced compositions in unexpected ways is fundamentally what attracts the artist’s eye and fuels his ideas.  The artist begins with 3D digital software from which he designs and maps his 3D objects and compositions, ultimately cutting them into layers from different types of plastic and aluminum composites. Most of Jose’s work uses acrylic sheets and aluminum composites in various colors, textures, and patterns, often inspired further by traditional Mexican arts.  

In the worlds of the Margulis: “I see my 3-D pieces as light traps. By carefully placing each component, I create intriguing forms that come to life when light shines through them. The light reveals the design, acting like ink that brings the piece to view. From a bird's eye view of constructed grounds, my technique evolves into a unique color language where I continuously challenge myself with increasingly complex color themes. This artistic journey makes my work both unique and deeply personal.”

Jose Margulis has participated numerous exhibitions and international art fairs. His works belong to institutional, corporate and private collections from Australia, China, Costa Rica, Italy, Mexico, Peru, Spain, United Arab Emirates, Venezuela and the United States.