Christian Curiel

Drawing from magic realism and Latin American cultural references, Christian Curiel’s paintings create a vivid tableau depicting figures in moments that are at once dreamlike and real. Through vibrant colors and layered materials, he constructs rich narratives that explore the fragile space between dreaming and waking. Rooted in memory and adolescence, his work reflects the twin themes of belonging and identity, as he attempts to capture the complex psychic tension associated with a young person coming of age.

Christian was born in Puerto Rico to Cuban parents and moved to Miami at a young age where he was raised before heading off to Yale University in the early 2000s. His passion for education has earned him professor roles at Yale, Southern Connecticut State University, and Broward College among other Teaching Artist roles. In addition to his solo practice, Curiel is a member of the 4-artist collective called FeCuOp, who have produced works together for more than a decade.