DZ Diaz

Artist Statement

As a self-taught artist, what starts off as a simple concept or idea usually becomes a convoluted mish-mosh of objects, colors and mediums struggling for cohesiveness on a piece of plyboard, canvas or photograph. Every new piece is an experiment. There is no specific theme to my work nor is there a limit to types of medium, method or application used. Capturing the moment is essential to my method. Layers are applied upon each other going through a process of adding or removing objects or mediums from each layer creating a 3D effect to the finished piece of work. This unrestricted approach allows my work to continue to evolve through discovery and aides in keeping me focused and engaged throughout the process.

Biography

The Art of Dz Diaz
A self taught artist born in Miami Beach, Florida in 1967. David (DZ) Diaz's lifelong relationship with art began as a child simply trying to communicate with his father who was serving a 22 year prison sentence as a political prisoner in Cuba. "My earliest memory was of our mother reading the letters my father had sent before bedtime." Attached was always an Illustration. Inspired by his fathers art, he began to draw as a way of connecting with him. This was his first introduction to art. Growing up poor and under unusual circumstances, defined his identity. Creating became an outlet then an obsession. In 1986, after graduating from high school, he briefly attended International Fine Arts College in Miami. Due to his family's financial shortfalls his art school dream lasted just one semester. Determined not to abandon his goals he continued painting and later that year was commissioned to paint murals at Fire & Ice, a prestigious night club in the Miami Design district. His first solo art show was in 1990 at The Gallery of the Unknown Artist in Miami Beach . In 1994, he collaborated with his father who had been released from prison in 1991 on his third book of poetry titled "El Carrusel," illustrating his poems and designing the cover. He has been featured in several galleries in the state of Florida and NY. The Mark Fine Art Gallery, and Denise Justice Studio Gallery in Stuart. Intrepid Art Gallery, Vero Beach and Blue Cow Art Gallery, White Plains, NY. In 2021, after a nine-year hiatus he began painting again recently showing at the House of Shadow's, A Nightmare on Kennedy group show and Best of the Best group show at the A.E. Backus Museum Gallery in Ft. Pierce, FL. Today he resides in New Smyrna Beach, FL. with his wife and dog "Toby", and continues to evolve as an artist pushing the limits with his experimental ways.

Exhibition History (CV)