Oscar Muñoz

Biography

Oscar Muñoz pioneered the use of ephemeral mediums—human breath, water, dust and fire—to showcase the precarious reality of human life. In doing so, he created unique imagery and historiography.

His work has been exhibited at numerous international venues, including Louvre Abu Dhabi (2019); Musée du Quai Branly, Paris (2019); Sorigué Foundation, Lleida, Spain (2018); Centre Pompidou, Paris (2016); Musée de l’Elysée, Lausanne, Switzerland (2016); Fondation Cartier pour l’art contemporain, Paris (2016); Galerie Nationale du Jeu de Paume, Paris (2014); Museum of Modern Art (MoMA), New York (2013); Museo de Arte de Lima (2013); Perez Art Museum, Miami (2013); San Francisco Museum of Modern Art (2012); Philadelphia Museum of Art (2010); CIFO Space for the Arts, Miami (2009); Museo Tamayo, Mexico City (2009); New South Wales Gallery, Sydney (2009); Perth Institute of Contemporary Arts (2009); Pori Art Museum, Finland (2009); Mori Art Museum, Tokyo (2008); Korea Foundation, Seoul (2008); and New South Wales Gallery, Sydney (2009). He has also participated in the 51st and 52nd editions of the Venice Biennale (2005 and 2007 respectively).

Muñoz’s works are part of several collections, including MoMA, New York; Centre Pompidou, Musée du Quai Branly, Paris; Museum of Contemporary Art, Los Angeles; Museum of Fine Arts, Boston; Tate Modern, London; Hirschhorn Museum, Washington DC; San Francisco Museum of Modern Art; Museo de Arte Latinoamericano de Buenos Aires and Fundacion La Caixa, Barcelona.

He was awarded the Hasselblad Foundation Award (2018) and Prince Claus Award (2013).

In 1974 Muñoz earned a BA from Escuela de Bellas Artes in Cali.

Born in 1951 in Popoyán, Colombia, Muñoz lives and works in Cali, Colombia.

SAF participation:
Genealogies in the Middle East and Latin America (2021)