Gustavo Rivera "Gutí"
Gustavo Adolfo Rivera Mena, known in the art world as "Gutí," is a plastic artist and graphic designer born in Managua, Nicaragua, on July 21, 1964. His life and work are marked by constant evolution, innovation, and a deep passion for art.
Naturalized as a Costa Rican citizen in 1989, Gutí entered the art workshop La Casa del Artista at an early age in 1975, directed by the renowned artist and cultural manager Olga Spinach, and later under the tutelage of Costa Rican painter Ricardo "el Chino Morales." In this environment, Gutí began to forge the foundations of his artistic career. From a young age, he had shown an innate inclination towards drawing, which led him to seek opportunities to nurture his talent once settled in Costa Rica.
In 1979, while still a minor, Gutí joined the drawing and oil painting class with older students, where he faced challenges but demonstrated exceptional talent. His first collective exhibition took place in 1980 in the prestigious hall of the official newspaper La Nación, where he presented his first oil painting, showing a surprising mastery of the glazing technique.
Technical and Artistic Evolution
In 1984, he began his career at the Faculty of Plastic Arts of the Autonomous University of Central America (UACA), immersing himself in the philosophy and history of art, and a few years later, he shifted his focus to graphic design. This decision took him away from the brushes for three decades, during which he dedicated himself to computer graphic art, exploring various techniques and styles, from manual illustration to digital art, combining plastic skills such as watercolor, acrylic, and oil.
After a three-decade hiatus from traditional painting, Gutí returned to the world of plastic art with a new vision. He has received awards and mentions in national and international art biennials and competitions.
He is the founder and creator of the Manifesto of Chromatic Stereometrism, a movement that is gradually generating interest among other artists and professionals involved in contemporary art.
Recognition, Awards, and International Participation
2024 - "Colors and Brushstrokes for Peace" Contest:
In this prominent contest that promotes art as a means of reflection and pacification, Gutí received an Honorary Diploma for his outstanding participation, achieving 4th place in a competition that brought together artists from various disciplines and backgrounds. His work was valued for its technical skill and the depth of its message, also granting him a finalist certificate, reaffirming the quality of his work and his message of peace in the international art scene - "Eco-Art" Contest.
With a strong focus on sustainability and ecological awareness, the "Eco-Art" Contest recognized Gutí's work with a virtual exhibition that stood out among the proposals for its innovative use of color and form in the environmental context. His participation was validated with an official certificate that attests to his ability to address urgent issues such as conservation and respect for the environment from an artistic perspective.
2023 International Art Professionals Awards:
Gutí received an Honorable Mention at the prestigious International Art Professionals Awards, a competition that celebrates excellence and originality in contemporary art globally. His work was appreciated for its innovative technique and the influence of his unique style, "Chromatic Stereometrism," a technique that Gutí has developed and perfected to explore spatial and chromatic perceptions in abstraction.
2022 - Interiennial Print Exhibit, Taiwan:
Gutí was selected as one of the featured artists at the International Biennial Print Exhibition in Taiwan, earning a place on the list of awarded artists for his work number 20-0451. This biennial, which brings together the most outstanding exponents in printmaking technique, praised Gutí's originality and his ability to integrate three-dimensional elements into his compositions, solidifying his position in the international art circuit.
2021 - 25th Mosaic Padamchand Competition:
In the 25th edition of the Mosaic Padamchand, a competition in India that awards artists with distinctive approaches and creativity in visual composition, Gutí was honored with an Honorable Mention. This recognition emphasizes his versatility and ability to capture attention internationally, achieving recognition in a contest that values artistic innovation and technical mastery.
2018 - National Grano de Oro Contest:
Gutí achieved first place in the National Grano de Oro Contest, marking a significant victory in this important cultural event in Costa Rica. This award highlights his skill and commitment to artistic creation, marking a milestone in his career and positioning him as a reference artist in the Costa Rican scene.
Articles and Reports
Report from the digital newspaper; The CR News
https://acortar.link/aAFCLw Works “Pedes in Terra”
Reports from JBS Newspaper
https://bit.ly/3uEGHnK Artistic evolution
https://bit.ly/47z3lNi Chromatic Stereometrism
Article in Sicultura-MAC Magazine (Ministry of Culture)
https://si.cultura.cr/personas/movimiento-estereometrismo-cromatico https://si.cultura.cr/personas/gustavo-rivera-guti
Interview with TP&GO! Magazine “Social realism in my work”
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qFsAQEy6d8k
Interview with TP&GO! Magazine “Chromatic Stereometrism”
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Y-JF6a_Rub0