Most Recent Show Summary
“Jíbaro” The Fireplace Project, Hudson NY
This intimate selection of works at Fireplace project by Nyorican artist Dave Ortiz features painted found objects, a series of square paintings on wood and one large painting from his “Jíbaro” series. The new large exhibition’s centerpiece is delving deeper into the landscapes and rhythms of his new home in rural upstate New York where for the artist memory and modernity intertwine. The new series, titled "My Jíbaro Experience," draws from a term rooted in Puerto Rican culture, with Jíbaro embodying the resilient spirit of the island’s mountain farmers. For Ortiz, it’s a bridge between heritage and his present life in the countryside, honoring the land, labor, and legacy through vibrant abstraction.
Alongside the paintings are hand painted wooden objects bats, oars, and shoe lasts reimagined in the tradition of “objet trouvé.” These pieces are foundational to his artistic journey, merging geometric precision with graffiti inspired energy, where sharp lines collide with explosive color. The bold palette is more than visual, it’s a declaration:
The Jíbaro world belongs to everyone beneath the rainbow.
Dave Ortiz is a New York artist of Puerto Rican descent. Ortiz works primarily in painting, silk screen printing and drawings. He is among the 80s generation of American Hispanic artists who found his voice first in street art. His work focuses on heritage and cultural assimilation topics and he can be described as a colorist.
SOLO EXHIBITIONS
2025 “Jíbaro” | The Fireplace Project Gallery, Hudson NY
2024. “COLORED” | 1053 Gallery, Fleischmanns NY
2024 “Apoocalyto” | Mriya Gallery, NYC NY
2024 “Fast Cars” | Classic car gallery NYC
2023 “The Alphabet of a Colored Man” | Birdsong Estate Gallery, Delhi, NY
2023 “The Goya Series” | Upstate Bodega at Hamden General Store, Hamden, NY
2022 “OBJECT-IVE | This & That Art Series, Delhi, NY
2017 “Santos Series” | PONY on the Bowery at Studio 55, NYC
2016 "GOYA Float" | Puerto Rican Day Parade and 11 other national parades
2016 “Mixed Work Showcase” | PONY on the Bowery, NYC
2015 "The Goya Series" | PONY on the Bowery, NYC
2015 "Law Journals III" | Our|Berlin, Berlin, Germany
2015 "Law Journals" | Joseph Gross Gallery, New York, NY
2013 "20 Year Retrospective 1993-2013" | Joseph Gross Gallery - ArtNow, New York, NY
2000 "I live here BROOKLYN" | McCaig Wells Gallery, Brooklyn, NY
GROUP SHOWS | ART FAIRS | AUCTIONS
2019 ‘Americana: The Culture of the USA' | Keys Art Gallery, Sag Harbor, NY
2019 “9999” At the Fireplace Project | East Hampton, NY
2019 “The American Flag: Inspired” | American Giant, San Francisco, CA
2018 “The American Flag: Inspired” | American Giant, San Francisco, CA
2017 Robert Wilson’s “Watermill Summer Benefit and Auction” | Watermill, NY
2017 Naomi Campbell's "Fashion for Relief Cannes" | Cannes, France
2016 "In Good Taste" | Castle Fitzjohn Gallery, LES, NY
2016 Robert Wilson’s “Watermill Summer Benefit and Auction” | Watermill, NY
2015 “Sublime” | Harlem, NYC
2015 "Trophy Art" | Azart Gallery, New York, NY
2015 Robert Wilson’s “Watermill Summer Benefit and Auction” | Watermill, NY
2015 "Select Art Fair" | Chelsea, New York, NY
2015 "Color Blocks" | Gowanus Lab, Brooklyn, NY
2015 "Influenced by Keith Haring - Law Journals II" | 2222 Jefferson, Saint Louis, MO
2014 "War Of Art" | Safari Gallery, West Broadway, New York, NY
2014 "Stir Crazy" | Sensei Gallery, Grand Street, New York, NY
2014 "Piece" | 116 Gallery, Suffolk Street, New York, NY
2013 "The Future is Now" | Highline Loft, New York, NY
2013 "Rise Above" | Art Auction to benefit the Harold Hunter Foundation, ArtNow, New York, NY
2012 "Bring Back The Boardwalk" | Hurricane Sandy Fundraiser and Art Auction, Trais Gallery, New York, NY
RESIDENCIES
2017 ARTs East NY Town Hall Series | Brooklyn, New York
2015 Spring | Gowanus Print Lab - Artist in Residency | Brooklyn, New York
Painting, printmaking, mixed media
ENTREPRENEURIAL CREDITS
2014 Partner of Our Vodka | Our New York Chapter
2013 Co-Founder of Another Whip
2012 Co-Founder of Dave’s Wearhouse - collaborations with Nike, Go Pro, House of Marley, Sol Republic, DC shoes, etc.
2003 Founder of Dave’s Quality Meats, collabs with Nike, Adidas, Converse, Vans, etc.
1994 Zoo York, Employee No.1 and Mr. Everything
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