Marta Carvajal

I I am an enthusiastic and creative artist from Madrid, Spain, who immigrated to Detroit, USA, 14 years ago. With a strong background in fine arts and graphic design, I have been an active member of the Detroit art community, including the Detroit Fine Art Breakfast Club (DFABC). My career spans over 30 years as a fine artist specializing in portraiture, art direction, and curating, with a passion for human anatomy and documentary-style portraits. I currently serve as the Gallery Director at Galerie Camille in Detroit.

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EDUCATION
- *Bachelor’s in Fine Arts* – Universidad Complutense de Madrid, Spain (1991)
Specialization: Graphic Design and Fine Art
- *Diploma in Graphic Design* – Centro del Diseño y la Comunicación, Madrid, Spain (1987)
- *Diploma in Visual Communication and Corporate Image* – Centro del Diseño y la Comunicación, Madrid, Spain (1987)
- Graduated from *Dearborn High School*, Michigan (1996)
- *Colegio Santa Maria de los Rosales*, Madrid (1995)

WORK EXPERIENCE

**Galerie Camille, Detroit, MI**
*Gallery Director* (2024–Present)
- Overseeing curation and direction of art exhibitions, including retrospectives, solo, and collective shows.
- Collaborating with artists, including Detroit legends like Lois Teicher and Nora Chapa Mendoza, to create meaningful and culturally significant exhibits.

Curated Shows for Gallery Camille:

- *Lois Teicher: Quiet Performance - The Stillness of Shape* (September 2024)
A retrospective of the legendary Detroit sculptor, focusing on minimalism and the balance between form and stillness.

- *Jef Bourghdo & Nina Assaf: Unfolding Perspectives* (TBA)
A dual exhibition featuring works that explore cross-cultural narratives and contemporary forms of artistic dialogue.

- *Scott McDuffy, Dr. Shaw Rene & Marco Sbroca: Perspectives on Identity* (TBA)
A group show exploring themes of identity, memory, and societal influence through diverse artistic practices.

- *Queer Detroit 2024* (June 2024)
A city-wide exhibition celebrating LGBTQ+ artists, with works reflecting the complexity and richness of queer identity.

- *Henry Heading* (May 2024)
A solo exhibition featuring Henry Heading’s work, exploring themes of identity, transformation, and community.

Work History

**Self-Employed Artist, Madrid & Metro Detroit Area**
*Fine Artist* (1990–Present)
- Specializing in commissioned oil portraits, capturing human emotions through in-depth interviews and photographs.
- Created documentary-style portraits surrounded by personal artifacts, adding depth to the subjects’ stories.

**Dolmen Editions, Madrid, Spain**
*Audiovisual Art Director* (2001–2006)
- Directed and illustrated books for renowned publishing companies.

**SM Editions & Santillana Editions, Madrid, Spain**
*Senior Art Director & Publishing Art Director* (1996–2006)
- Led graphic design and visual communication projects for educational publishing companies.

ART SHOWS
-December 16. 2023 Solo Show “Decoding Matter” Liberal Arts Gallery, Detroit.

- **August 4, 2023**: Belle Isle Art Fair, Detroit, Michigan
- **July 29, 2023**: Stoney Creek Art Fair, Stoney Creek Park, Michigan
- **June 2023**: "Art For the Spirit," Beaumont Hospital Gallery, Taylor, Michigan
- **June 4, 2023**: Palmer Park Art Fair, Detroit, Michigan
- **May 27, 2023**: Kensington Park Art Fair, Milford, Michigan
- **May 12, 2023**: "Still Bonded," DFABC Show, DTE Energy, Beacom Park, Detroit, Michigan
- **March 8, 2023**: Solo Show "Matriarchs," Huron River Arts Council Gallery, Highland, Michigan
- **February 25, 2023**: Solo Show "Reflexions and Reflections," Level One Bank Gallery, Ferndale, Michigan
- **January 28, 2023**: Curated Retrospective Art Show, Charles McGee Legacy, Detroit Studio 6
- **November 2022**: Curated Retrospective Exhibit for Nora Chapa Mendoza, Detroit, Michigan
- **2022**: Funky Ferndale Art Fair, 3rd Place Emerge Art Festival, Hannan Center, Detroit Historical Museum DFABC Exhibition
- **2021**: Solo Show "Convergence," Former Studio of Charles McGee, Solo Show "Positive Flesh," Gallery Cause & Affect, Detroit Society of Women Painters and Sculptors Exhibition
- **2020**: Collective Show "Peace and Justice," Irwin House, Collective Show "Grandma," Hannan Center, Michigan Annual XLVII Fine Art Competition

COMMISSIONS
- *Alex Haley 100th Anniversary Collages* commissioned by Gregory Reed (2021)
(Biography, Playboy Interviews, and The Lost Chapters of Malcolm X)
- *Benny Napoleon Portrait* commissioned by the City of Detroit
- Numerous portraits held in private collections across the USA and Spain.
AWARDS
- *Spirit of Detroit Award* for Tuskegee Airmen Portrait
- *3rd Place Emerge Art Festival*, Hannan Center (2022)
- *Honorable Mention*, Michigan Annual Fine Art Competition (2019)
PROFESSIONAL MEMBERSHIPS**
- Detroit Fine Art Breakfast Club (DFABC)
-Scarab Club, Detroit.
Skills
- Portraiture (Oil, Documentary-style)
- Art Direction & Curation
- Photography & Visual Communication
- Event Planning & Exhibit Design