Fabian De La Flor was born in Lima, Peru in 1978 and currently lives and works in Miami. He attended Miami Dade College beginning in graphic design, then obtained a BFA from Miami International University of Art and Design in 2004, followed by an MS in Communications from Florida International University in 2017.
While still in college, Fabian was hired by The Miami Herald as a graphic and web designer — where he has been working since 2000. Through this time he has built a rich personal portfolio of emotionally charged drawings and paintings, all revolving around city landscapes that tie in past memories. His figures document ideas, feelings, trends and styles — in their line quality one sees a timeline, as if seeing a chronological timeline of photographs of the artist's own life.
His works have been exhibited in public collections including the Museo de Arte de El Salvador, with solo shows at Lab Miami and Artecho 2012 at Miami Project Art Fair.
Art is not an escape from reality but rather a means to navigate through it. Each stroke of the brush or moment spent sculpting is a testament to the perseverance required to carve out time for self-expression amidst the chaos of daily life. In a world that often celebrates the extraordinary, I find beauty in the ordinary. My art is a celebration of the resilience required to pursue a passion while fulfilling the roles of parent and professional.
What inspires your art the most?
Architecture, nice clean design, the right combination of colors, people's expressions and postures, everyday life really.
How would you describe your style?
I think my style is more illustrative and graphical — expressionism, I guess, with a hint of pop art. That's a hard question for me to answer.
What are you most looking forward to about Art Basel?
Really excited about the surrounding galleries that show work around Miami. Also Art Positions — a bunch of shipping containers clumped together with usually some pretty nice art inside. Iggy Pop performed there last year, so it should be fun.
Most exciting project you have worked on?
I recently did a mural in Wynwood for a gallery and that was a really fun project. I'm hoping to do more murals in the future.
3 things you can't live without?
Favorite artists?
Klimt began applying real gold leaf to his canvases after visiting Ravenna's Byzantine mosaics in 1903. The Kiss (1907–08) used actual gold and platinum. He never explained his symbolism — he believed the work spoke for itself.
Favorite websites?
Dream project & plans for the future?
I've been playing around with clay lately. I think it would be awesome to do a piece where my characters and landscapes are in 3D.
Keep painting. Make the art more accessible — shirts, bags. A store is in the works at theamplegroup.com.
