Eleazar Sanchez - contemporary painter
Eleazar Sanchez
An intimist and visionary artist, his artistic expression aims to portray the transfiguration of material and spiritual life. Eleazar with his three different styles (surrealistic, sacred and abstract) reflects through episodes of his life while leaving an open window of interpretation for those who unconsciously seek to see themselves in his work.
His artistic training is a combination of classical painting techniques as well as personal experimentation. In 1997, after he graduates with a Professorate in Arts from the “Academia de Bellas Artes”, in El Salvador, he begins his artistic journey around Europe gaining a dipper understanding of social and cultural symbolism, Eleazar is confronted with a dynamic and chaotic realities, which inspires him to further experiment with new expressive techniques to give life to images of oneiric restlessness that merge with the virtuous illusion of the engulfing society. In 2002, his journey takes him to Italy in search for new artistic enlightenment. It is in Sicily that he is captivated by the majestic yet indolent allure of the land. Eleazar continues to build on new artistic and visual challenges, which in turn lead him to win different prizes and become recognized as a surrealist voice in Italy and Europe.
In 2004, Eleazar finds a dialogue between painting and theater, he is contracted as a set designer and is given the freedom to design, paint, and oversee the construction and decoration of scenographic installations that are commissioned by both, public and private organizations. Eleazar’s reputation as a surrealist continues to take momentum in Italy and is awarded with a Honorary Degree in “Classe di Pittura” by the “Accademia Internazionale Città di Roma”. The Degree is organized by the Embassy of El Salvador in Rome in collaboration with the Italo-Latin American Institute of Rome (IILA) and the Accademia Internazionale, Città di Roma, as a way to recognize Eleazar’s work in the collective exhibition El Salvador Oggi, which showcases Salvadoran culture abroad.
In 2008, Eleazar joins the Cultural Association L'Incontro of Camporeale. There, Eleazar becomes greatly interested in Sicilian society and begins to contribute as political cartoonist. Soon after, Eleazar is a voice in the Sicilian political climate and his political cartoons are one of the main attractions in the newspaper “L’Incontro". As a result, his surrealistic style becomes the perfect bridge between religion, art, and the people. Namely, one of Eleazar’s first sacred artworks, a rendition of the Madonna del Phileremo, hangs at the Priory of Catania of the Order of the Hospitaller Knights of Malta. That same year, a ceremony is offered in honor of Eleazar, in which he is given the Distinction of Honor by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of El Salvador, for internationally disseminating Salvadoran culture through painting. During the ceremony, Eleazar donates two works of Our Lady Virgen de la Paz to the Salvadoran Embassies before the Holy See and the Italian Republic, further confirming Eleazar as a strong voice in sacred-contemporary art.
In 2014, Eleazar takes one of the most important religious commissions in his career. An altar piece for the Basilica di Santo Stefano Maggiore in Milan. The work is inaugurated on May 23, 2015 on the occasion of the Beatification of the now Saint, the Martyr Msgr. Oscar Romero, to whom the painting is dedicated for his martyrdom during the Salvadoran Civil War in 1980. That same year, Eleazar is invited by the Salvadoran Embassy to be part of the delegation of representation for the Audience with the Holy Father Pope Francis in thanks for the altar piece. During the ceremony, Eleazar, via the Consular Representative, presets a unique portrait he painted of Blessed Bishop Romero to His Holiness Pope Francis. The portrait is now part of the Vatican’s private collection.
In 2016, Eleazar takes part in an exhibition in the Diocesan Museum of Piazza Armerina (Sicily), in which a series of his works are showcased for six months, including a second portrait of Romero d’America, a reinterpretation of the work donated to the Holy Father Pope Francis were he’s given another honorary degree in Painting. Such exposure helps Eleazar gain greater notoriety, thus leading to sponsorships in other exhibitions across Italy and Europe. Consequently, Eleazar is invited to show his work at a art group show in Berlin, and participates in group shows like La Via degli Artisti where his work is displayed for six consecutive months.
In 2017, Eleazar continues to partake in solo and group exhibitions that showcase his surrealistic paintings as well as his cultural and sacred works across Italy and the South of France. With a never ending thirst for growth and artistic development, his creative voice continues to gain momentum through an eclectic array of styles that also encompass contemporary art, portraiture, and landscapes. Most recently, Eleazar’s interest extend beyond the canvas, in fact in 2017 he collaborates on a project that merges food and art. The Saley Art - Bistro Gallery in Nice, France, had exhibit his work while also kindling patrons with dishes inspired by Eleazar’s paintings for the year 2017.
As Eleazar’s work continues to get notoriety in Italy and Europe, it is his ability to create emotions on the viewer through painting that makes his style transcend language. His unremitting desire to create result in a complex combination of personal, provocative, and spiritual subjects. Through his paintings, Eleazar expresses his cultural identity in parallel with his own sense of self realization in a singular voice that reconciles his inner passions with his illusionistic vision as an artist. His work is now present in private and public collections in 25 different cities between the old and new continent.
Since 2018 Eleazar collaborates as a freelance Artistic Director organizing exhibitions at both national and international level, and as Art Advisor with personalities from the art world of Beijing.
In June 2020 a commission comes from the Parrocchia of San Salvatore in the town of Roccamena, Sicily, a religious piece retracting The “Madonna del Conforto” to be exposed at the church after been consecrated by the ArchBishop of Monreale. In August of the same year another commission from the Basilic of San Domenico has given to be make a portrait of the Martyr Pino Puglisi for the Reliquary of the same Martyr at the Basilic in Acireale.
EDUCATION
CENAR (National Center for Fine Arts) San Salvador, El Salvador
Bachelor of Fine Arts with Professorate in Fine Arts and Educational Art
HONORARY DEGREES
UNIÓN MONÁRQUICA BALEAR Delegate for Sicily, Palma de Mayorca, July 2020;
Accademia Internazionale Città di Roma, Rome, Italy 2016, Honorary Degree in Painting and Cultural Dissemination; awarded in recognition for work performed during the Year of Mercy, Diocese Museum of Piazza Armerina;
Ministry of Foreign Relations, Embassy of El Salvador in Rome 2015, Honorary Distinction, Dissemination of Salvadorian Culture Abroad;
Accademia Internazionale Città di Roma, Rome, Italy 2005 Honorary Degree in Painting; awarded in recognition for the diffusion of Latin American Art abroad;
AWARDS
1st Place, Premio Incanti a Roma, International Art Competition by Associazione Incanti d’Arte / L’Arte che Stupisce;
1st Place, Premio Incanti d’Arte, International Art Competition, Milan;
5th Place, Premio Arte Pentafoglio, International Art Competition Award from the Mayor of Palermo.
1st Place, National competition “La Donna Fonte di Ispirazione”,Award from the City Hall of Termini Imerese, Palermo;
5th Place, Estemporanea Ricasoliana, Sicilian Art Competition, Palermo;
1st Place, Cartolina della Solidarietà, National Art Competition by Unicef Italia
Ping-Pong for Unicef, UNICEF and CONI.
EXHIBITIONS
Solo show at “Fiera Della Sposa Di Taormina” November 22-23-24, Taormina, Sicily. The exhibition is a frame for the fashion catwalk for brands like HEVES PARIS and RANDY FENOLI.
Three Solo Show at Benevento Music Festival 2019 July 25
Three Artists show At La Rocca Dei Rettori, Piazza Castello Benevento (BN)
Solo Show, Saviano, Naples, Italy June 14- 28 2019. Solo exhibition at Palazzo Allocca, the Historical Archival of Saviano, Naples, Italy; organized by the Commune of Saviano.
Solo show, Nice, France. Feb - December 2018
At Saley’Art Bistro & Gallery. A fusion between painting and culinary arts were dishes have
been created by the paintings inspiration.
“Perdidos en la Pasión”. Solo Show, Rome, Italy Solo show for the International Art show Fantasmagorica, Castello Theodoli in Sambuci, Rome; organized by the art critic Claudia Simotti.
Group Exhibition, Catania, Italy July 2017
Group exhibition; theme “Senza Remore”; Banca dei Monte Di Peità Sant’Agata; organized
by Cultural Association REBA.
Solo Exhibition, Padova, Italy June 2017
Solo exhibition, Eros e Tanathos; Art Gallery Paolo Maffei, Padova; organized by the art
curator and critic Paolo Maffei and Manlio Gaddi.
International Exhibition Ahtzic Silis Gallerie & Atelier, Lyon, France February 2017
International group exhibition in collaboration with seven artist from France, Japan and Italy;
special exhibition for Ahtzic Silis Gallerie & Atelier’s 9th anniversary.
Solo Show, Palermo, Italy December 2016 - March 2017
Solo exhibition for Kolossos II, at Castello di Caccamo; organized by the art critic Francesca
Mezzatesta in collaboration with the Commune di Caccamo.
Group Exhibition, Torino, Italy July 2016 Group exhibition; La Margherita Golf Club; organized by Quality Cultural Association in collaboration with Marco Berry.
Group Exhibition, Berlin, Germany May - July 2016
Berlino, Rassegna d’Arte exhibition; organized by La Via Degli Artisti Gallery & Auction
House.
Solo Show, Rome, Italy March - April 2016 Galleria D’Arte Frammenti d’Arte exhibition; organized by the Cultural Association Frammenti d’Arte Monteverde Vecchio and Incanti d’Arte, l’Arte che stupisce.
Group Exhibition, Piazza Armerina, Italy March - October 2016
theme Giubileo Straordinario degli Artisti, with the work Beato Martire Mons. Romero
d’America, at the International Show for Sacred-Contemporary Art and Cultural
Ecclesiastical Works, at the Museo Diocesano di Piazza Armerina; organized by the
Accademia Internazionale, Città di Roma, and the Museo Diocesano de Piazza Armerina;
patronage from the Comune di Piazza Armerina.
Group Exhibition, Rome, Italy November 2015 theme Incanti a Roma, Gallery Frammenti d’Arte Monteverde Vecchio; organized by the Asociazione Culturale Incanti d’Arte L’Arte Che Stupisce; patronage from Galleria Frammenti d’Arte Monteverde Vecchio.
Permanent Exhibition, Palermo, Italy July 2015 - Present Artists for Via Maqueda exhibition, Sala delle Carrozze de Villa Niscemi at the National Palace in Palermo, as part of the project Pittori del Maqued’art; organized by the Associazione Culturale Maqueda Pedonale; patronage from the Comune Di Palermo
Permanent Altar Piece, Milan, Italy May 2015 - Present.
Altar Piece dedicated to the Martyr Monseñor Oscar Arnulfo Romero, La Bienvenida del
Beato Mons. Romero d’America, Basilica de Santo Stefano Maggiore, Milan
Group Exhibition, Palermo, Italy December 2014
Group Exhibition, Palazzo Asmundo; theme I Colori Della Pace; organized by the Cultural Association Maqueda Pedonale; patronage from Comune Di Palermo
National Group Exhibition, Ficuzza, Italy November 2014.
National Group Exhibition; theme Sulle Orme di Francesco Carbone, Royal Palace of Ficuzza; Patronage from the Asamblea Regional de Sicilia, Palermo Nov. 2014.
Group Exhibition, Bagheria, Palermo, September 2014
Group Exhibition; theme Goccie Di Poesia, Arte ed Emozioni; organized by the Cultural
Association Giuseppe Bagnera.
International Art Competition, Palermo, Italy July 2014
Fifth Place recipient; theme Adotta Parco Uditore; organized by the Cultural Association San
Mateo at the Rotary Club South Palermo.
Figurative Art Competition, Termini Imerese, Italy March 2014
First Place recipient; theme La Donna Fonte di Ispirazione; organized by the Cultural
Association Mega Eventi; patronage from Comune Di Termini Imerese.
Group Exhibition, Palermo, Italy December 2013
Group Exhibition; theme Arte Nell’Arte, Palazzo Nuccio; organized by the Cultural Association
Sicily my Land.
Group Exhibition, Palermo, Italy November 2013
Group Exhibition; theme Nuda Arte e Cultura Contro la Violenzza sulle Donne (Nude Art and
Cultural Movement Against Violence towards Women) organized by the Cultural Association
ANTILIA; patronage from Comune Di Palermo.
Group Exhibition, Palermo, Italy November 2013
Il Paessaggio Rappresentato exhibition, Week of Education for Sustainable Development;
patronage from the National Italian Commission of UNESCO.
Group Exhibition, Palermo, Italy December 2012
Group Exhibition L’Arte Rinascente, Sala Expositiva de la Rinascente de Palermo; organized
by the Architectural Firm Ellecci Architecture; patronage from Cantina Settesoli
Group Exhibition, Lyon, France November 2012
Group exhibition Soirèe El Salvador, Theater Paul II dell’Universitè Catholique de Lyon, France, in commemoration of the Salvadoran Martyr Monseñor Romero; organized by the Catholic University of Lyon.
Contemporary Art Competition, Palermo, Italy July 2012
Fifth place recipient; Ricasolina exhibition; organized by the Cultural Association Crogiolo
Arti; patronage from Comune Di Palermo.
National Art Competition, Palermo, Italy December 2005
First Place recipient for Cartolina Della Solidarieta; theme Una Scuola per i Bambini di
Beslan; organized by the Cultural Association Ping-Pong for UNICEF and the CONI de
Palermo.
Group Exhibition, Paris, France July 2005
Group Exhibition, Maison De L’america Latin de París; organized with the help of the
Salvadoran Embassy in Paris.
Group Exhibition, Rome, Italy January 2005
EL SALVADOR OGGI exhibition, IILA Latin American Institute in Rome; organized by the
Salvadoran Embassy in Rome.
Solo Show, Palermo, Italy April - May 2004
Surrealist solo exhibition Dipinti Dal Subcosciente; organized by the Cultural Association Lula
Palusa Art Caffè in Palermo.
Solo Show, Palermo, Italy February - March 2004 Surrealist solo exhibition Dipinti Dal Subcosciente; organized by the Cultural Association CCP Agricantus de Palermo.
PUBLIC AND PRIVATE COLLECTIONS
“Cammina con Me” portrait of the Martyr Pino Puglisi, September 2020 at the Basilic of San Sebastiano, Acireale, Sicily
“La Madonna del Conforto” oil on canvas, August 11 2020 at the Parrocchia di San Salvatore, Roccamena, Sicily.
“Ares e Venere”, oil on canvas, June 2018. At Theodoli Castle, Sambuci, Rome, Italy.
“La Bienvenida de Mons. Romero d’America”, oil on canvas, October 2015 Presented to the Holy Father Pope Francis. Private Collection at the Vatican City, The Holly See
“La Madonna della Mazza”, oil on canvas, a representation of Church of Madonna del Soccorso (Della Mazza), Palermo; permanent exhibition at “La Sala delle Carrozze” at the Uficial Representative for Palermo Foreign Affairs, “VIlla Niscemi, Palermo.
AltarPiece “La Bienvenida del Beato Romero de America”, oil on canvas. Dedicated to the Saint Martyr Mons. Romero of America, at the “Basilica di Santo Stefano Maggiore”, Milan, Italy.
Virgen de la Paz, oil on canvas. Embassy of the Republic of El Salvador at the Holy See, Vatican City, the Vatican.
Virgen de la Paz, oil on canvas, at the Embassy of the Republic of El Salvador at Italy, Rome.
Madonna del Phileremo, oil on Canvas, Priory of Catania of the Orden of Saint John of Jerusalem.
“Il Veliero Della Solidarietà”, oil on Canvas December 2005 at the Cultural Association Ping Pong for UNICEF.
Official stamp for Collectors for the Italian Post Office of Palermo, month of December 2005.
ENCERRADO, oil on Canvas January 2005 Salvadoran Consulate, Rome.
PUBBLICATIONS
BIANCOSCURO rivista d’arte page 48
https://www.biancoscuro.it/site/biancoscuro-art-magazine-on-line-il-numero-41/
Interview at Globusmagazine by the Duchess Chiara Fici
http://www.globusmagazine.it/eleazar-sanchez-la-sua-arte-rende-la-cittadina-acireale-ancora-piu-bella/#.Xz2nJi2cafU
"LA DOMENICA" Periodico religioso #4 2018
published by "San Paolo Editori"
"Papa Paolo VI e Mons. Oscar Romero"
(altar piece by Eleazar Joel Sanchez Martinez)
BIANCOSCURO Rivista D'Arte
numero 28- Giugno/Luglio 2018 - Bimestrale D'Arte, Cultura e Informazione
"Eleazar Sanchez, Toni caldi e cupi, di profonda inquietudine" page 57
Printing Pixartprinting Srl
Quarto d'Altino (VE)
EXPOART Art, Culture & Life Stile Magazine
#40-Maggio_2018
presented at Spoletto Art Festival
"Eleazar Sanchez" by Francesca Mezzatesta Art Critic page 6-7
"Arte Paolo Maffei" attività espositiva anno 2017
published by Primp Editore, 2017
"Collana D'Arte Historical Archive Tonno Sancanaro", Padova, Italy
“Arte Paolo Maffei". Artist Catalogue "Eros & Thanatos" 2-30 Giugno 2017
#69 "Eleazar Joel Sanchez" Solo Show
Primp Editore, 2017
"Historical Archive Tonno Sancanaro" Padova, Italy
"LA DOMENICA" Periodico religioso #1 2016
published by "San Paolo Editori"
"Beato Mons. Oscar Arnulfo Romero, Beato nel Martirio"
(altar piece by Eleazar Joel Sanchez Martinez)
Group Show Catalogue "Berlin Sibelstrasse, 10
Kunstausstellung" Mai-Juli 2016
"La Via Degli Artisti
SET DESIGN
Assemblea Regionale Siciliana, Palermo, Italy August 2007 Set designs for the Theatrical demonstration during the 60th anniversary of the Assemblea Regionale Siciliana
Teatro Politeama di Palermo, Palermo, Italy June 2006, Set Design for the Cumedia Nova; organized by the Lions Club of Palermo Associazione Anti Mafia, Corleone, Italy September 2006
Musical Corleone, with the extraordinary participation of Marco Morandi; Villa di Corleone, Sicily
Teatro Savio de Palermo May 2004, Musical Yoseph; organized and produced by the Teatro Savio
Teatro Dialettale Vito Zappalà, Theatrical Set designer April 2004 - July 2008 Dialectical Theater Company of Vito Zappalà
