John Rivas is a first-generation American artist whose narrative is guided by the stories of his ancestors. Through his sculptural paintings Rivas examines socioeconomic, racial, and cultural boundaries of immigrant lives; exploring the legacy and preservation of narratives, as well as documenting his own upbringing and Latinx values. Rivas received his BFA from School of Visual Arts (SVA) and his MFA from Columbia University. His work has been exhibited in numerous venues nationwide and is a part of The Perez Art Museum in Miami, Florida. Most recently, Rivas’ work is on display in a group show entitled A Love Letter to LA at Superposition Gallery in West Hollywood, CA.

CV

John Rivas
b. 1997, Newark, NJ
Lives and works in Newark, NJ

Education

2021: MFA Fine Arts, Columbia University, New York, NY
2019: BFA Fine Arts, School of Visual Arts, New York, NY

Solo Exhibitions

2024: “Que Haces Vos? Yo Pinto.”, François Ghebaly Los Angeles, CA
2020: United solo booth, UNTITLED Art Fair, Latchkey Gallery, Miami, FL
2019: Las Nuevas Fotos, Haul Gallery, Brooklyn, NY
2018: Untitled solo booth, MECA Art Fair, Latchkey Gallery, San Juan, PR 2016 Untitled solo show, Watchung Art Center, Watchung, NJ

Group Exhibitions  

2023: “A Love Letter to LA”, Superposition Gallery, West Hollywood, CA 
2022: “Night Owl”, MASSIMODECARLO, online
2022: “What Is Could Be”, Anthony Gallery, Chicago, IL
2022: “Face-to-Face”, Sugar Hill Children’s Museum of Art & Storytelling, New York, NY 
2021: “Sites of Memory”, UTA Artist Space, Los Angeles, CA
2021: “Summer Summer Group Show”, Ross + Kramer Gallery, East Hampton, NY 
2020: “How ‘Bout Them Apples?”, Ross + Kramer Gallery, New York, NY
2020: “YB^2P”, Catinca Tabacaru Gallery, Harlem, NY
2020: Untitled group show, UTA Artist Space, Los Angeles, CA
2020: Untitled group booth, Dallas Art Fair, Thierry Goldberg, Dallas, TX
2020: Columbia University MFA 1st Year Show, Harlem, NY
2020: “The Living Room Kitchen”, Artsywindow, The Andrew Freedman Home, Bronx, NY 
2020: “Labor of Love”, in partnership with Frieze LA, Superposition Gallery, Los Angeles, CA
2020: Nomad St. Mortiz, John Wolf, Switzerland
2020: Untitled group show, Thierry Goldberg, New York, NY
2019: “Boiling Point”, Superposition Gallery, Los Angeles, CA
2019: “Night & Day,” Thierry Goldberg, New York, NY 
2019: “CMY=K”, Superposition Gallery, Los Angeles, CA Parade, Haul Gallery, Brooklyn, NY
2018: Untitled group booth, Pinta Art Fair, Latchkey Gallery, Miami, FL BFA Open Studios, SVA
2018: BFA Fine Arts Building, New York, NY 
2018: CMA’s Annual Art Auction, Children’s Museum, New York, NY 
2018: “Constellations”, SVA Chelsea Gallery, New York, NY
2018: “Dia de las Memorias Showcase”, El Museo Del Barrio, New York, NY
2018. Re: Art Show 2 Years, Pfizer Building, Brooklyn, NY
2018: “The Politics of Identity”, SVA Chelsea Gallery, New York, NY
2018: “The Nu Vangaurds of the Revolution”, Queens Museum, Queens, NY
2017: “Chicpeajcturns3”, Harborside Jersey City, Jersey City, NJ
2017: “Public Koncept Presents”, Underground Skateshop, Newark, N
2017: “Sugar Loaf Gallery”, Chester, NY The Funeral, More Points Gallery, Bronx, NY
2017: “Pros+Kons”, Underground Skateshop, Newark, NJ
2017: BFA Open Studios, SVA BFA Fine Arts Building, New York, NY
2016: “Take Part of Me”, Paul Vincent Gallery, Hoboken, NJ 
2016: “UmamiBurger”, Artist Showcase, Brooklyn, NY
2016: INSTITUTIONAL COLLECTIONS The Perez Art Museum, Miami, FL