Rafael Vargas-Suarez

Vargas-Suarez Universal

Born: October 3, 1972, Mexico City, Mexico

Nationality: Mexican/American

Occupation: Artist

Spouse: Aliya Amazbekova

Known for: Large-scale murals, scientific and space-inspired multimedia works, interdisciplinary research in art and science

Vargas-Suarez Universal is a Mexican-American artist known for his large-scale murals, scientific and space-inspired multimedia works, and interdisciplinary approach to art and science. His artistic practice integrates visual abstraction with scientific inquiry, often using imagery derived from space exploration, aerospace architecture, and materials science.

Early Life and Education

Rafael Vargas-Suarez, professionally known as Vargas-Suarez Universal, was born in Mexico City in 1972 and grew up in Clear Lake City, Texas, a suburb of Houston near NASA’s Johnson Space Center. This proximity to a major hub of aerospace innovation influenced his early interest in science, technology, and structured environments. Vargas-Suarez’s familial background also contributed to his artistic development—his maternal grandfather, Miguel Suárez Sánchez, was a musician and bandleader, and Vargas-Suarez himself was involved in music, playing drums in experimental garage bands.

His childhood fascination with aerospace was influenced by the history of his great-uncle, Major General Rafael Suárez-Peralta, a member of the Mexican Expeditionary Air Force during World War II, who played a significant role in Vargas-Suarez’s interest in aviation and aerospace.

Between 1991 and 1996, Vargas-Suarez attended the University of Texas at Austin, where he studied art history and astronomy. These fields laid the intellectual foundation for his later work, which bridges visual abstraction with scientific inquiry. In 1997, he moved to New York City to pursue his art career, where he began incorporating urban architecture and spaceflight data into his practice.

Career

Early Career (1997–2000s)

After moving to New York City, Vargas-Suarez Universal began creating works that blended abstract expressionism with themes drawn from architecture and aerospace science. His early work included large-scale murals and installations, which used structural forms to express the complexities of urban life and scientific data. The artist’s signature, “Vargas-Suarez Universal,” reflects his intention to transcend borders through universal themes and interdisciplinary methods.

Stylistic Evolution

Over time, Vargas-Suarez’s artistic approach evolved to merge tactile, material forms with technological concepts. His work began incorporating mixed media—including textiles, ceramic mosaics, and digital elements—to convey the complexity of cosmological data. By blending traditional craftsmanship with imagery inspired by space, he creates a visual language that reflects the intersection of earthly and cosmic matter. His work often features the motif of a “vector,” representing direction and movement across different scales.

Artistry and Technique

Vargas-Suarez Universal’s installations frequently employ digital printmaking and other mixed media, producing works that reflect the immense scale and dimensionality of space. His use of rough and smooth textures evokes the tangible essence of both physical spaces and abstract cosmic phenomena. Through his artworks, he seeks to reimagine scientific data through the lens of human experience, grounding high-tech themes in intimate, hand-crafted processes.

Themes and Influences

Scientific and Astronomical Imagery

Central to Vargas-Suarez Universal’s work is the use of scientific and astronomical imagery. His works often explore complex scientific phenomena, translating them into abstract compositions that reference satellite imagery, orbital paths, and architectural blueprints. This dialogue between technological advancement and aesthetic experience explores the tension between human-scale experience and the vastness of the cosmos.

Architectural Inspiration

Vargas-Suarez Universal’s work also draws heavily from modern architecture, particularly the structural language of skyscrapers, observatories, and space launch facilities. His installations and murals adopt grid-like precision and utilize color, line, and form to capture the essence of these monumental structures.

Early Black and White Works

Vargas-Suarez has worked in a variety of mediums, including murals, works on paper, oil paintings, sound art, and multimedia installations. Below are key categories of his work:

• Murals and Large-Scale Installations: Site-specific murals integrating scientific imagery with architectural forms.

• Works on Paper: Drawings and mixed-media works exploring astronomical and geometric themes.

• Oil Paintings: Abstract interpretations of cosmology and space technology.

• Sound Art Pieces: Collaborations with composers to create sonic landscapes.

• Multimedia Installations: Digital prints, projections, and interactive elements.

Major Exhibitions and Public Artworks

Vargas-Suarez Universal’s works have been exhibited internationally in prominent institutions such as the Museum of Modern Art Library, the Whitney Museum of American Art, and El Museo del Barrio in New York, as well as the Museo de Arte Contemporáneo de Castilla y León in Spain and the Winzavod Contemporary Art Centre in Moscow. One of his major public works, Terra Matrix, a ceramic mosaic commissioned for the U.S. Consulate in Guadalajara, Mexico, exemplifies his ability to translate scientific concepts into culturally resonant public art.

Collections

Vargas-Suarez Universal’s work is represented in numerous major public and private collections, including:

• Museum of Modern Art Library, New York

• Whitney Museum of American Art, New York

• El Museo del Barrio, New York

• Brooklyn Museum of Art, New York

• Museo de Arte Contemporáneo de Castilla y León, Spain

• Winzavod Contemporary Art Centre, Moscow

His works are also part of corporate collections such as the JPMorgan Chase Art Collection and the UBS Art Collection.

Awards and Residencies

Vargas-Suarez has received multiple awards and commissions, including:

• The 1997 Young Artist Award from Bank of America and Mexic-Arte Museum

• The 2012 public art commission for NYC Public Schools

• The 2024 Art in Embassies commission for the U.S. Consulate in Guadalajara, Mexico

Residencies include:

• The 2023-24 PAC Art Residency in Houston

• Webb School in Tennessee (2016)

• Dieu Donné Papermill in New York (2007)

Research-Based Practice

Vargas-Suarez Universal’s art is informed by his research at scientific institutions, including NASA Ames Research Center, Kennedy Space Center, and the Baikonur Cosmodrome. His experiences at these facilities offer firsthand exposure to space exploration technologies, which he integrates into his art practice. His studio works, including textiles and ceramic mosaics, reflect the textures and structural motifs of aerospace environments, rendered in abstract forms.

Recent Commissions

Recent public commissions include a project at George Bush Intercontinental Airport in Houston, Texas, and the Art in Embassies commission for the U.S. Consulate in Guadalajara, Mexico.

References

1. Cullen, “Vargas-Suarez Universal: Vector Composition No. 1,” Wallach Art Gallery, Columbia University. Accessed 24 February 2025.

2. “Spaceflight and Art - Vargas-Suarez Universal,” Smithsonian National Air and Space Museum. Accessed 24 February 2025.

3. “Cosmos Dreams - Field Notes,” National Geographic Field Notes. Accessed 24 February 2025.

4. “Cosmos Codex,” Vargas-Suarez Universal Official Website. Accessed 24 February 2025.

5. “Gallery Generated Content,” Hutchinson Modern.

6. “Artist Monograph,” Hutchinson Modern.

7. “Vargas-Suarez Universal,” Official Website.

External links

• Official artist website
• ART REVIEW; A View of Outer Space? No, It's Just of Jersey City (2003-12-28), The New York Times by Benjamin Genocchio
• ART REVIEW; Bringing the Outdoors Inside and Hanging It on the Walls (2005-03-20), The New York Times by Benjamin Genocchio