In my paintings, I empower imagination by honoring fantasy. My work embodies hope, joy and transformation. I greet inspiration by discovering the magic in spontaneous thought, ordinary people and daily living. Unexpected fulfillment of yearning desires are awaiting to transpire in the enchanted garden. The meaning of my existence is unraveled by balancing a sometimes unsettling reality with the joy of fantasy.

Biography:

Born in Mexico City, Héctor Cárdenas began to paint at the age of 3. He represented his home state of Morelos as a young painter at the age of 7 in the DIF National Convention (a government-funded organization of Social Services for families, the largest of it's kind).

His interest for the arts lead him to study drawing, painting, printmaking, design, illustration, photography and computer art at the UAM-X University in Mexico's capital. He further pursued his artistic career by obtaining a Masters Degree in Fine Arts at the School of Visual Arts in New York City. He resides in downtown Manhattan with his wife Monique their daughter Valentina and their cats  Tigris and Divina.

Through the paintings of Héctor Cárdenas we arrive to a world nurtured by his past in a magic land. There, emotions take shape and they remind us that in being human we are challenged and rewarded by the forces of life: joy, desire, hope, envy, impulse, depression and uncertainty.

Resume:

Born: Mexico City 1968

Education: BFA UAM-X, Mexico

MFA-I School of Visual Arts, New York

Solo Shows:

Open Studios, Crane Building, New York, 2002

Ien Blue/Azul, Didier's Loft, New York, 2002

White on Brown, Brown Gallery, New York, 2000

Group Shows :

Works on Paper, Henaine Gallery, Portchester, 2002

Latin American Artists QCC Art Gallery, New York, 2000

Our Dream • Nuestro Sueño, Cork Gallery, Lincoln Center, New York, 1999

MFA Illustration as Visual Essay, SVA Gallery and Visual Arts Museum, New York, 1994

The Dream of Liberty, Tribeca Performing Arts Center at BMCC, New York, 1994

Latinoamerica '94, QCC Art Gallery, New York, 1994

Pueblo Nuevo, Gallery One Twenty Eight, New York, 1994

"Y 502 Años Después", Puerta 10, New York, 1994

The Turning Page, Art Directors' Club, New York, 1993