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Press

Quotes

The Alleys & Ruins series is a "masterpiece"

The New York Times

 

"Nuez rockets beyond the familiar conceit of redeeming derelict spaces and trash, and embraces them in an orgy of riotous glitz"

Newcity Chicago

 

"Nuez scouts American cities for solitude and decrepitude [and] finds inspiration in derelict sites”

Washington Post

Best photography of the week

The New York Times

“Beauty and a touch of mystery ... Nuez’s bold, contemporary Crystal series photographs crackle with splashes of bright primary colors”  

The Detroit Free Press

 

"When you see his work, you will never see a dark alley the same way again”

PBS. WYCC-TV, Chicago, IL

 

“Nuez's keen eye and succulent colours infuse his insects with a fragile shimmering beauty that deflects much of the horror” 

Hour magazine

 

"Nuez has made a career of distilling the aesthetics of vicious urban settings. His dedication to capturing the perfect shot is palpable" 

Chicago Weekly

 

"Ruin is his gig ... Nuez is the closest thing to a national authority on the subject of urban alleys" 

San Diego Weekly Reader

 

"Using half-century-old Hasselblad cameras, and combining colored gels with long exposures, Nuez’s images are vividly surreal representations of some of our most unloved places"

Architect Magazine

 

"In none of his photos does Nuez exploit the obvious" 

Montreal Gazette

 

"Street-smart Art ... Xavier Nuez is among the hottest artists to hit the urban art scene" 

Art Business News magazine

 

"Seductive ... Nuez's photos do not leave one indifferent"

Ciel Variable

 

"Nuez discovers beauty in the most hideous thrown-away blighted eye-sores imaginable … the details are staggering" 

Silicon Valley Metro News

 

"Nuez has managed to capture some absolutely fantastic photos and has moved quite a few people with his work" 

FOX 2 News, St Louis, MO

 

“Nuez's alleys are images of beauty and power” 

The Buffalo News

 

"His photographs transcend the gloom and uncover the sublime; while some photos display an aura of foreboding, many reveal an uncanny sense of calm seemingly at odds with reality"

Land + Living

Highlights

The New York Times - Shining Strobe Lights on the City’s Dark Corners

Lakeshore PBS feature story: Eye on the Arts

PBS-TV feature story: In the Loop

ABC-TV feature story: The N Beat: Cultural Connections

Washington Post - Galleries: ‘Vaiven' review

Chicago Reader - Chicagoan of the week

 

The New York Times / Lens - Best photography of the week

Professional Artist Magazine cover story

Chicago Tribune - Arts Pick of the Week

 

The CW - goes on a shoot with me

El Pais / S Moda - feature story on ruins

San Diego Weekly Reader cover story

Art Business News - Street Smart Art

NPR feature story - Extended interview

MusiquePlus-TV 1994 interview (in French)

The Montreal Gazette - First Alley interview, 1993

Bibliography

Beste, Kathleen. "Chicago Alliance of Visual Artists: Featured Artist" CAVA (Sept - Dec, 2023)

Kelly, Nadya. "Here and Now: A Review of The Happiness Show"  Newcity (July 18, 2023)

Angell Luc, Karie. "Art is Soothing to the Soul" Chicago Tribune (Aug 22, 2022)

Thompson, Sean. "Woodlands Waterway Arts Festival put the ART in HEART" WoodlandsOnline (April 12, 2022)

Hill, Justin, Producer. "Eye on the Arts" Lakeshore PBS, Chicago, IL (March 16, 2022)

Robertson, Linda. "Artists turn Miami Marine Stadium seats into art" Miami Herald (Dec 7, 2019)

Kelley, Dale. "Interview with art photographer Xavier Nuez" Antique Toy World (July, 2019)

Dashiell, Elizabeth. "Palm Beach Gardens ArtFest by the Sea" Palm Beach - Jupiter Courier Newsweekly (March 5, 2018)

Madlangsakay, Kim. "Meet Xavier Nuez" Voyage Chicago (Jan 2, 2018)

O’Keefe, Brian. "Photo Exhibit Transforms Bugs To Beauty" WDCB, Chicago NPR-affiliate (Feb 4, 2017)

Welton, Michael. "A Show of 'Glam Bugs' by Xavier Nuez" Architects and Artisans (Feb 1, 2017)

Mora Sánchez, Blanca. "Xavier Nuez's Glam Bugs" Que Pintamos (Jan 17, 2017)

"Blue Man Group Announces Winners of 2016 Art Competition" Yahoo (Sept 13, 2016) 

Grand Pre, Tyler. "Dignifying One 'Big Dirty City' at a Time" The Daily Illini (Sept 9, 2016)

Aloi, Giovanni. "City Creatures" Antennae, Issue 36 (Summer 2016) 

Brown, Chris, producer. "You and Me This Morning." WCIU-TV, Chicago, IL (Nov, 9, 2015)

Van Horn, Gavin and Aftandilian, Dave. "City Creatures." University Of Chicago Press (Nov 3, 2015)

Laguna, Clara. "Ruinas, reinos abandonados convertidos en poesía y denuncia." El Pais / S Moda (Aug 24, 2014)

Ford, Anne. "This week's Chicagoan: Xavier Nuez, photographer." The Chicago Reader (Aug 3, 2014)

"Urban Underground". WWCT 99.9 FM (June 11, 2014)

Browning, Tamara. "Art from the discarded: Exhibit open at State Museum" The State Journal-Register (May 31, 2014)

Horst-Hatch, Megan. "Best Visual Artists To See In Chicago." CBS Chicago (April 14, 2014)

Shaw, Haleema. "Urban Artistry: Haleema Shaw talks to photographer Xavier Nuez." Vocalo (Jan 10, 2014)

"Fotógrafos de ida y vuelta entre España y EE.UU." RTVE - Corporación de Radio y Televisión Española (Dec 5, 2013)

Jenkins, Mark. "Galleries: Vaiven." The Washington Post. (Nov 10, 2013)

Harvey, Anthony L. "Spain Arts & Culture Presents: Visual Journeys Back And Forth Between Spain and the U.S." InTowner (Nov 10, 2013)

Henney, Alan. "Spanish photogs display work influenced by U.S., Spain in VAIVEN for FotoWeek DC." The Examiner. (Nov 4, 2013)

SPAIN arts & culture participa en FotoWeekDC con VAIVÉN. Todo ARTE (Nov 4, 2013)

"Espana y EEUU intercambian miradas a traves del objetivo de 6 fotografos." El Confidencial (Nov 1, 2013)

Williams, Hailey. "Xavier Nuez discusses Alleys & Ruins" The Leader (Sept 24, 2013)

Negro, Delia. "XAVIER NUEZ y su revalorización del "UNDERGROUND"." Hoy: Arte y Vida (Aug 30, 2013)

Welton, Michael. "Shooting Photos of Alleys and Ruins." Huffington Post (Aug 8, 2013)

Asheville Art Museum. Carolina Arts. Vol 17, no 8, p. 41 (August 2013)

Weinstein, Michael. "Review: Xavier Nuez/Instituto Cervantes"." Newcity (July 2, 2013)

Tharpe, Mario, Producer. "Alleys & Ruins" PBS. WYCC-TV, Chicago, IL (May 9, 2013)

McDonough, Karen. Bringing light to the dark corners. World Arts Today. (April 24, 2013)

Arts & Entertainment Pick of the Week. Chicago Tribune (Dec 5, 2012)

Gutierrez, Theresa. "Photographer shines light, fantasy on bleak city spaces." ABC. WLS-TV, Chicago, IL (Oct 2, 2012)

Rhoden, Rebekah. "Long-Exposure Photography by Xavier Nuez." Lost at E-Minor. (July 26, 2012)

Larson, Vicki. "Photographer Nuez finds beauty in urban blight." Marin Independent Journal. (March 29, 2012)

Weinstein, Michael. "Review: Xavier Nuez and Valerie Oliveiro/Schneider Gallery." Newcity. (March 13, 2012)

Vee, Daniel. "Xavier Nuez's Glam Bugs - A Series of Photographs." JazJaz. (February 16, 2012)

Alesandrini, Emily. "Alleys & Ruins." Discovering Art in Chicago. (January 24, 2012)

"2nd Fridays Presents: 20 years of Alleys & Ruins: Dark, Menacing Spaces." Chicago Gallery News blog. (December 7, 2011)

Slater, Amanda. "Urban Landscapes and Glam Bugs." iSpy Magazine. (July 2011)

Vargas, Edgar, Producer. "The N Beat: Cultural Connections." ABC. WLS-TV, Chicago, IL (June 25, 2011)

"Artists Represent at Old Town." RedEye [Chicago] (June, 10, 2011)

Buyo, Louise. "The Midnight Playground of Xavier Nuez" Professional Artist Magazine (May 2011)

Kilgannon, Corey. "Shining Strobe Lights on the City’s Dark Corners." The New York Times (April 13, 2011)

New York Times / Lens (April 13, 2011) Best photography of the week

White, Amos. "Gallery Review: Alleys & Ruins." The Artists Forum (March 2011)

Architect Staff. "Exhibit: "Bending Reality," The Art Center." Architect Magazine (November 2010)

Gutierrez, Theresa. "Newshour: Art Thrives in Chicago's Pilsen Community." ABC. WLS-TV, Chicago, IL (Oct 1, 2010)

Pierce, Diana. "News at 4" NBC. KARE 11, Minneapolis, MN. (Aug 5, 2010)

Rosenblum, Gail. "Start Seeing the Artists" Star Tribune, (Aug 5, 2010): B1

Sarinske, Chrissy. "A Q&A with 2010 Commemorative Print Artist Xavier Nuez."  Minnesota Monthly (July 2010)

Boatner, E.B. "Creates Cornucopia" Lavender Magazine (July 2010): 15, 16

Sherman, Chi. "Hues and huevos" NUVO: Indy's alternative voice (June 27, 2010)

Profita, Kelle. "Two artists use color and a contemporary approach to dazzle collectors." Affluence.org (June 22, 2010)

Grossman, Dan. "Alleys and Passageways: Photographs by Xavier Nuez" NUVO: Indy's alternative voice (June 21, 2010)

Banaszewski, Charles. "Spraygraphic Interview with Photographer Xavier Nuez." Sprayblog/Spraygraphic.com (March 11, 2010)

Felizdia.net. Entrevista con el fotografo Xavier Nuez. April 2, 2010

Jamieson, Keith. "Preservation and Decay." Chicago Weekly (Nov 26, 2009): 6 

Lee, Christina. "Photographer's work resonates with recessionary times." Medill Reports Chicago (Nov 19, 2009)

Blaser, Linda. "Urban Immersion exhibit set to open at Deer Path Art League Gallery." Lake Forester/Sun Times (Sept 24, 2009)

Finlayson, Alex. "I'm King of This Alley." San Diego Weekly Reader (Sept 16, 2009): cover, 28-44

Pertzborn, John. "News in the Morning." FOX 2 News, St Louis, MO (Sept 11, 2009)

Hegger, Susan. Saint Louis Beacon. "Let there be art" (Sept 9, 2009)

Lippincott, James.  Land + Living: Lifestyle and Design in the Modern World. “Dark, Dangerous Urban Spaces.” (July 27, 2009)

Mullen, Daniel. “Street-Smart Art.” Art Business News (June 2009): 42-46

Michels, Caroll. How to Survive and Prosper as an Artist. New York: Henry Holt and Co, 2009: 108.

Young, Jean. The 24th Annual Tallahassee International Catalog. Tallahassee, FL: Florida State University Museum of Fine Arts, 2009

Toomey, Katie & Pena, Kylee. “Indy’s Alternative Voice.” NUVO-TV, Indianapolis, IN (May 17, 2009)

Ditmire, Jill. “Weekend Daybreak.” CBS. WISH-TV, Indianapolis, IN (May 16, 2009)

Xavier Nuez’s Late Night Graffiti Photography at the MarinMOCA” Redefine Magazine (Jan 27, 2009)

Shah, Mona. “Dark, Dangerous Alleys.” Tri-City Voice (Sept 3-9 2008): 1, 25

Kiley, Gabriel. “Photography: In Focus.” Art Business News (September 2008): 1, 50, 52, 54

Art MoCo. “Art MoCo's Top 10 Picks of 2008.” MoCo (Dec 27, 2008)

Singh, Gary. “The Hidden City.” Silicon Valley Metro News (Aug 13-19, 2008): 11

Gaidica, Chuck. “Local First News at 6.” NBC. WDIV-TV, Detroit, MI (July 17, 2008)

MacMillan, Kyle. “The art of fun at the festival.” The Denver Post (July 4, 2008): D1, D18

Morain, Michael. “Meet the Artist: Xavier Nuez.” The Des Moines Register (June 28, 2008): E1

My Art Series 2008 Set 5” Ovation TV (April 2008)

Richardson, Derk & Simmons, Bonnie. “KPFA Art Festival Special Broadcast.” Pacifica Broadcasting KPFA-FM, Berkeley, CA (Dec 9, 2007)

Alleys & Fire Escapes.” Zeek Magazine (April 2007): cover

Cantu, John Carlos. “Point and Click? Photographers show there’s much more to it.” The Ann Arbor News (July 22, 2006): B1, B2

Oppat, Susan L. “From industrial to artistic.” The Ann Arbor News (April 18, 2006): B1, B3

Charney, Tamar. “Into the alley: Beauty behind and between buildings.” NPR. WUOM-FM, Ann Arbor, MI (Nov 18, 2005)

NPR extended interview part 1NPR extended interview part 2

“The List: Today’s Highlights.” Detroit Free Press (Sept 26, 2005): 2C

Calhoun, Jennifer. “Art scene heats up.” The Buffalo News (June 12, 2005): B1

Brownstein, Daniel. “Artwork wow visitors at Delaware Arts Fest.” The Delaware Gazette (May 16, 2005): 1, 3

Heinrichs, Allison M. “Depot Town Art Studios opening.” The Ann Arbor News (Feb 7, 2005): A1, A8

“Artists Share Their Wares and Secrets.” Detroit Free Press (June 3, 2004)

“Local Matters.” Rogers Television, Toronto, ON (May 6, 2004)

“Fast Forward: guide to the season’s best exhibitions.” Canadian Art Magazine (June 2000): 22

Jordan, Betty Ann. “Toronto galleries explore diverse photo techniques.” WHERE Toronto (May 1999): 26, 27

Belli, Flavio. “Toronto Living.” Rogers Television, Toronto, ON (May 31, 1999)

“Dark, mysterious… and blue.” Eye Toronto (May 20, 1999): 44

Fine, Philip. “The Alley.” The Montreal Gazette (Sept 21, 1997): B4, B5

Hakim, Mona. “L'exposition reexamine.” Ciel Variable Art Photo (CV32, Fall 1995): 61

Lehmann, Henry. “Bugs and Stars.” The Montreal Mirror (June 15-22, 1995): 79

Catchlove, Lucinda. “Degeneration X.” Hour Magazine (June 15-21, 1995): 27

Zhang, Howard. “bugs dying.” The Link (June 13, 1995): 18

Fine, Philip. “Backstage Montreal.” Videotron-TV, Montreal, QC (June 8, 1995)

Wagschal, Harry. “Better to describe photo as shocking.” The Montreal Gazette (Sept 18, 1994): B4

LePage, Jocelyne. “Expositions: Mondo Bizzarro.” La Presse (Sept 8, 1994): C1

Liss, David. “Photos celebrate club’s flamboyant atmosphere.” The Montreal Gazette (Sep 3, 1994): D1

Catchlove, Lucinda. “Drink it up: head to the bar for a good stiff taste of art.” Hour Magazine (Sept 1-7, 1994): 21

“Fax.” MusiquePlus – TV, Montreal, QC (August 13, 1994) Interview.

Lehmann, Henry. “Daybreak Arts Report.” CBC Radio One, Montreal, QC (Aug 11, 1994)

Kutschke, Caroline. “Capturing erotica’s humour in photographs.” The Westmount Examiner (Aug 11, 1994): 18

Lehmann, Henry. “Arts Week: Mondo Squeeze.” The Montreal Mirror (Aug 11-18, 1994): 43

“Viewing the netherworld.” The Westmount Experience (Aug 3, 1994): 34

“Mondo Squeeze.” XCité (Summer 1994): 20

Donnelly, Pat. “Prowling the alleys for art.” The Montreal Gazette (Dec 9, 1993): C3

“Hot this week: Big Bang.” The Montreal Mirror (Dec 2-9, 1993): 24

Nearing, Jeff. “Big Bang Revisited.” The Link (Nov 29, 1993): 12

Nerenberg, Albert. “Secret City.” Hour Magazine (Nov 25-Dec 1, 1993): 39

Gagnon, Louise. “Viewfinder: La Galerie des Foufounes.” The Montreal Mirror (May 3-10, 1990): 35

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