Alright – so today we’ve got the honor of introducing you to Gabriel Delgado. We think you’ll enjoy our conversation, we’ve shared it below.
Gabriel, appreciate you joining us today. We’d love to hear about a project that you’ve worked on that’s meant a lot to you.
“Artistic Sacrifice: Contemporary Artist Donates Kidney to Wife, Inspires New Artwork”
Sacrifice is a concept often referred to in conjunction with artists, but Contemporary artist Gabriel Delgado has given the term new meaning – and it’s inspired a new body of work. In an extraordinary testament to love, the artist donated one of his kidneys to his beloved wife and muse, Melissa, with whom he has shared more than 17 years of marriage. The experience has inspired Sacrifice, a new series of work that will raise funds for transplant patients when it debuts at Art Miami with Burgess Modern + Contemporary in December.
In a story that could be taken from a fairytale, the pair discovered Delgado was a perfect match for his wife’s kidney transplant. With the assistance of the Memorial Transplant Institute, they successfully arranged a direct donor-to-recipient transplant. This act of love not only rekindled hope within their family but also unexpectedly sparked a wellspring of artistic inspiration within Delgado.
Influenced deeply by their shared journey through the unforeseen adversity of Melissa’s Stage 4 renal failure diagnosis, their bond transcended the roles of husband and wife and artist & muse. As Delgado and his family grappled with growing feelings of hopelessness, he found solace in his wife’s unwavering strength. This newfound inspiration ignited the creation of a new series of artworks shaped by this unique and heartwarming story of devotion, encapsulating the very essence of their unwavering connection. It serves as a testament to the power of love, resilience, and the transformative impact of profound relationships. Each artwork in this series embodies the depth of emotion, devotion, and the indomitable human spirit that Delgado and his wife have shared.
Delgado reflects, “Think of it as winning a 1 in 100,000 lottery ticket. We were floored by the flawless match. It felt like destiny had intervened to unite us. So, through my latest series, ‘Sacrifice,’ I am creating new paintings that communicate positive and universal messages of love, encompassing the myriad feelings associated with this journey.”
Burgess Modern + Contemporary will host a special reception on Saturday, December 9, 2023, from 12:00 PM to 2:00 PM in their Art Miami 2023 booth, in honor of Delgado, his wife, and family. Members of the Memorial Transplant Institute’s Surgical Team and associates, including representatives from The National Kidney Donation Organization will also be in attendance. This distinctive program, set amidst one of the world’s most bustling art fairs, aims to raise awareness and advocate for the Living Donor Transplant narrative, shedding light on the remarkable work conducted by the Memorial Transplant Institute in Hollywood, Florida, and its programming affiliates, such as the National Kidney Registry (NKR) and The National Kidney Donation Organization (NKDO).
A percentage of the proceeds generated from the sale of these artworks will be donated to The Memorial Transplant Institute in Hollywood, FL and The National Kidney Donation Organization (NKDO) in honor of their tireless work.
Media Contact: Lisa Burgess, President, Burges Modern + Contemporary | Phone: (954) 524-2100 | Email: [email protected]
Website: www.burgesscontemporary.com. Note to Editors: High-resolution images and additional press materials are available upon request. Interviews with the artist can be arranged through Burgess Modern + Contemporary.
As always, we appreciate you sharing your insights and we’ve got a few more questions for you, but before we get to all of that can you take a minute to introduce yourself and give our readers some of your back background and context?
Gabriel Delgado was born 1976 in Ohio and is a 1998 graduate of Kent State University. As an Artist, Delgado creates themed artwork that explores aspects of contemporary culture and events, ranging from Science, Economy, Decentralized Finance and Economic Markets, Human Emotions, Police Brutality, Animal & Environmental Rights, Immigration, Social Reform, and other relevant topics.
Gabriel Delgado serves as an educator, offering his audience a presentation of facts, issues, events, circumstances, and cause-and-effect relationships. His unique approach includes Conceptual Mathematic and Algebraic Order of Operation equation drawings, employing various techniques and applications. Through his art, Delgado aims not only to educate but also to create visual platforms for balanced political debates and community discussions. His themed artworks delve into human emotions and the significant responses in human interactions.
Delgado’s interest in global conflicts has driven him to gain a deeper understanding of the issues he explores visually. He engaged with the Zapatista Delegation during the civil society uprising in Mexico City D.F. in 2000. His Middle Eastern studies resulted from an extended expedition to Jordan, Syria, Israel, the West Bank, Gaza Strip, and other parts of Palestine. There, he immersed himself in all aspects of the highly conflicted Middle Eastern Affairs. Delgado’s encounter with Israeli authorities during the early 2000s, following Israel’s Second Intifada, where he was wrongly detained on suspicion of International Terrorism, further fueled his determination to create art that encourages dialogue on challenging topics.
During the late 1990s and early 2000s, Delgado actively participated in global protests, including those in Washington D.C., Houston, Texas, and New York City. These rallies targeted organizations such as the World Trade Organization, International Monetary Fund, and World Bank, providing the inspiration for his equations, expansive narrative paintings, and billboard interventions.
Additionally, Delgado’s work extended to large-scale billboards displayed on bridges, buildings, and abandoned inner-city properties, catching the attention of the Director of the Museum of Contemporary Art D.C. (MOCA D.C.). This recognition propelled his career into the museum scene in the late 1990s.
Helping solidify his art world reputation as an academic and scholar, Gabriel Delgado holds a BFA from Kent State University in Painting as well as a Minor in Philosophy. Delgado also holds a Certificate from the University of Glasgow in Antiquities Trafficking and Art Crimes, Duke University in Public Art and Pedagogy, and the Universita Bocconi in Art and Heritage Management.
Delgado is also a graduate of the International Society of Appraisers (ISA) and is an active member of the American Institute of Conservation (AIC)- certified in several aspects of collection management.
We’d love to hear a story of resilience from your journey.
“Artistic Sacrifice: Contemporary Artist Donates Kidney to Wife, Inspires New Artwork”
Sacrifice is a concept often referred to in conjunction with artists, but Contemporary artist Gabriel Delgado has given the term new meaning – and it’s inspired a new body of work. In an extraordinary testament to love, the artist donated one of his kidneys to his beloved wife and muse, Melissa, with whom he has shared more than 17 years of marriage. The experience has inspired Sacrifice, a new series of work that will raise funds for transplant patients when it debuts at Art Miami with Burgess Modern + Contemporary in December.
In a story that could be taken from a fairytale, the pair discovered Delgado was a perfect match for his wife’s kidney transplant. With the assistance of the Memorial Transplant Institute, they successfully arranged a direct donor-to-recipient transplant. This act of love not only rekindled hope within their family but also unexpectedly sparked a wellspring of artistic inspiration within Delgado.
Influenced deeply by their shared journey through the unforeseen adversity of Melissa’s Stage 4 renal failure diagnosis, their bond transcended the roles of husband and wife and artist & muse. As Delgado and his family grappled with growing feelings of hopelessness, he found solace in his wife’s unwavering strength. This newfound inspiration ignited the creation of a new series of artworks shaped by this unique and heartwarming story of devotion, encapsulating the very essence of their unwavering connection. It serves as a testament to the power of love, resilience, and the transformative impact of profound relationships. Each artwork in this series embodies the depth of emotion, devotion, and the indomitable human spirit that Delgado and his wife have shared.
Delgado reflects, “Think of it as winning a 1 in 100,000 lottery ticket. We were floored by the flawless match. It felt like destiny had intervened to unite us. So, through my latest series, ‘Sacrifice,’ I am creating new paintings that communicate positive and universal messages of love, encompassing the myriad feelings associated with this journey.”
Burgess Modern + Contemporary will host a special reception on Saturday, December 9, 2023, from 12:00 PM to 2:00 PM in their Art Miami 2023 booth, in honor of Delgado, his wife, and family. Members of the Memorial Transplant Institute’s Surgical Team and associates, including representatives from The National Kidney Donation Organization will also be in attendance. This distinctive program, set amidst one of the world’s most bustling art fairs, aims to raise awareness and advocate for the Living Donor Transplant narrative, shedding light on the remarkable work conducted by the Memorial Transplant Institute in Hollywood, Florida, and its programming affiliates, such as the National Kidney Registry (NKR) and The National Kidney Donation Organization (NKDO).
A percentage of the proceeds generated from the sale of these artworks will be donated to The Memorial Transplant Institute in Hollywood, FL and The National Kidney Donation Organization (NKDO) in honor of their tireless work.
Media Contact: Lisa Burgess, President, Burges Modern + Contemporary | Phone: (954) 524-2100 | Email: [email protected] Website: www.burgesscontemporary.com. Note to Editors: High-resolution images and additional press materials are available upon request. Interviews with the artist can be arranged through Burgess Modern + Contemporary.
Is there a particular goal or mission driving your creative journey?
“Artistic Sacrifice: Contemporary Artist Donates Kidney to Wife, Inspires New Artwork”
Sacrifice is a concept often referred to in conjunction with artists, but Contemporary artist Gabriel Delgado has given the term new meaning – and it’s inspired a new body of work. In an extraordinary testament to love, the artist donated one of his kidneys to his beloved wife and muse, Melissa, with whom he has shared more than 17 years of marriage. The experience has inspired Sacrifice, a new series of work that will raise funds for transplant patients when it debuts at Art Miami with Burgess Modern + Contemporary in December.
In a story that could be taken from a fairytale, the pair discovered Delgado was a perfect match for his wife’s kidney transplant. With the assistance of the Memorial Transplant Institute, they successfully arranged a direct donor-to-recipient transplant. This act of love not only rekindled hope within their family but also unexpectedly sparked a wellspring of artistic inspiration within Delgado.
Influenced deeply by their shared journey through the unforeseen adversity of Melissa’s Stage 4 renal failure diagnosis, their bond transcended the roles of husband and wife and artist & muse. As Delgado and his family grappled with growing feelings of hopelessness, he found solace in his wife’s unwavering strength. This newfound inspiration ignited the creation of a new series of artworks shaped by this unique and heartwarming story of devotion, encapsulating the very essence of their unwavering connection. It serves as a testament to the power of love, resilience, and the transformative impact of profound relationships. Each artwork in this series embodies the depth of emotion, devotion, and the indomitable human spirit that Delgado and his wife have shared.
Delgado reflects, “Think of it as winning a 1 in 100,000 lottery ticket. We were floored by the flawless match. It felt like destiny had intervened to unite us. So, through my latest series, ‘Sacrifice,’ I am creating new paintings that communicate positive and universal messages of love, encompassing the myriad feelings associated with this journey.”
Burgess Modern + Contemporary will host a special reception on Saturday, December 9, 2023, from 12:00 PM to 2:00 PM in their Art Miami 2023 booth, in honor of Delgado, his wife, and family. Members of the Memorial Transplant Institute’s Surgical Team and associates, including representatives from The National Kidney Donation Organization will also be in attendance. This distinctive program, set amidst one of the world’s most bustling art fairs, aims to raise awareness and advocate for the Living Donor Transplant narrative, shedding light on the remarkable work conducted by the Memorial Transplant Institute in Hollywood, Florida, and its programming affiliates, such as the National Kidney Registry (NKR) and The National Kidney Donation Organization (NKDO).
A percentage of the proceeds generated from the sale of these artworks will be donated to The Memorial Transplant Institute in Hollywood, FL and The National Kidney Donation Organization (NKDO) in honor of their tireless work.
Media Contact: Lisa Burgess, President, Burges Modern + Contemporary | Phone: (954) 524-2100 | Email: [email protected] Website: www.burgesscontemporary.com. Note to Editors: High-resolution images and additional press materials are available upon request. Interviews with the artist can be arranged through Burgess Modern + Contemporary.
Contact Info:
- Website: www.gabrieldelgadoart.com
- Instagram: @gabrieldiegodelgadoartist
- Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/gabrieldelgadoartstudio?challengeId=AQF6BBbeu0ZZXgAAAYspZwD9mtgn5LkC7KRFwmzKw3XAF7bJjnBwYg6zIpdQ8eyEa88zHOiL6ZNKRgs943wl5FMt_BlYkdrXhg&submissionId=3237d3e1-7fb0-8d17-9f1a-1c23fff1ce70&challengeSource=AgEVQ74q1LAR6gAAAYspZwhP2GL4nRg4iJkMwWkL_obPFe2OrpMiebxI_Bw6qic&challegeType=AgEtd58lc5PyZAAAAYspZwhSSt180RQKtTY00XmiZrtrUWlcK8Y7CPY&memberId=AgF2EApy2TnwjwAAAYspZwhW7k3gS6sFQyBGyv-l67TBCk0&recognizeDevice=AgGAoXhJix-HpgAAAYspZwhZn9SkYR301QXKaf__hLOvWT3c263r
Image Credits
Courtesy of the Artist and Burgess Modern + Contemporary