“I can’t believe they are talking about me”, said José “Javier” Osorio to a group of guests who flocked to his studio located at 250 Merrimack Street, on Thursday, July 20, 2006 to admire his work. “I’m really nervous,” he said. It was Javier’s turn to return all the compliments he received from Robert Ansin, MassInnovation President and CEO; Bibiana Gómez, Colombian General Consul from Boston and City Councilor at-Large Nunzio DiMarca.
|
| |
Javier explaining Lawrence Councilor at-Large Nunzio DiMarca and wife, Patricia, about this painting that actually hangs at MassInnovation Conference Room. |
| |
Robert Ansin related how he met Javier. He said it was two and a half years ago that he went to One Mill Street Restaurant and asked a server about a certain painting on the wall. “Oh, that was done by Javier, the busboy,” said the server.
“Then I noticed that the menu was also by Javier, and other paintings”, said Ansin adding, “I told him that if he ever wanted to be a full time painter, he had a job here at Monach on the Merrimack. This guy is a genius and we are very lucky to have him in our team”.
Javier used the opportunity to thank Charles Daher, who helped him getting started painting in the United States; to Dr. Ricardo Diaz, his first customer; the Colombian Committee and of course, Robert Ansin, from Monarch on the Merrimack. “I’m very proud to be part of this team and I can’t thank Bob (Robert Ansin) and his family enough,” said Javier. “I’m not an artist, but if you feel that I am, I believe it! I’m proud to be Colombian and I want to thank America,” finished Javier.
JOSE ANGEL OSORIO “JAVIER”
Jose “Javier” Osorio was born in Ibague, on April 7, 1968. Ibague is the music capital of Colombia. While Ibague is known as the “Music Capital of Colombia”, Javier was interested in a different form of expression. His interest in art especially drawing, painting and theater-became apparent when he was four years old. It was in high school, however, that Javier discovered his true love for painting.
Javier believes an artist is born to express the spiritual condition of his life. His work embodies his most personal and closely held beliefs and ideas. A free thinker since early childhood, Javier employs art as his primary method of expression and communication with the world.
Javier has mastered a variety of techniques and media, including charcoal, sanguine, oils, pastels and acrylics. As an accomplished sculptor, Javier has worked with a variety of different materials such as stone, wax, metal, ceramics and gavito to name a few. His paintings and sculptures have been exhibited around the world to much acclaim.
Javier attended the University of Tolima in Colombia, where he majored in Art History, Color Theory and Architecture. He also studied Ceramic Sculpture at Isla de la Juventud in Cuba. He is presently of a full time of MassInnovation, LLC. Javier is also Artist-In-Residency at a local “smart grow” mill developer. His studio and gallery can be found at the recently renovated Monarch-On-the Merrimack mill building located at 250 Merrimack Street, Lawrence, Massachusetts.
EXHIBITIONS
1988 Pictorial Show Banco de la República
1989 Collective Show Universidad del Tolima – Ibague Colombia
1996 Corporación Fomento y Turismo - Armenia – Quindio Colombia
96, 97 Casa de la Cultura Annenia
1997 Casa de la Cultura, Geneva - Quindio Colombia
1997 Pictorial Show “Confenalco” - Armenia Colombia
1997 Gallery of Universal Art - Santiago de Cuba
1997 First International Auditorium of Plastic – Ibague Colombia
1997 International Festival Terracotta, First Pictorial Show of Armenia, Cuba
1997 International Festival of Primitive Drawings
2000 Sala del Consejo Provincial de las Artes Plásticas - Isla de la Juventud - Cuba
2000 Galeria Oriente Taller Cultural Cuba
2003 Permanent Work Javier’s Art studio
2004 Hispanic Heritage Month-NECC
2006 MassInnovation LLC - Resident Artist Lawrence Massachusetts
2006 Workshop BOHIKE, Special Guest “Encuentro Cultural 2006” ARTE
TAINO - Lawrence, Massachusetts
