Nick Aguayo

Nick Aguayo paints compellingly layered abstract works that reveal an inventive approach to the materiality and physicality of paint. Emphasizing the performative aspects of dragging, pressing, brushing, and rolling paint onto canvas, Aguayo layers hand-rendered geometric shapes, building his compositions around the tensions between erasure and transparency, accumulation and excavation. Taking cues from collage, Aguayo densely coats his canvases with thick impasto surfaces, textural areas of paint, and materials including marble dust, to create a matte physicality to each composition.

Nick Aguayo was born in 1984, and lives and works in Los Angeles. He received an MFA from the University of California Irvine in 2012 and a BFA from UCLA in 2007. His work has been featured in exhibitions at New Mexico Museum of Art, Santa Fe, NM; Shrine LA, Los Angeles; Over the Influence, Los Angeles; University of La Verne Art Gallery, La Verne, CA; Olong Gallery, Encinitas, CA; The Pit, Los Angeles; Samuel Freeman Gallery, Los Angeles; the Torrance Art Museum, Torrance, CA; Post Gallery, Los Angeles; LAXART, Los Angeles; Autonomie, Los Angeles; and the Armory Center for the Arts, Pasadena, CA.

This image depicts an artwork by Nick Aguayo titled "Gasoline." This artwork was created in 2024 and measures 96" x 86" x 2 ³⁄₄" [HxWxD] (243.84 x 218.44 x 6.99 cm). Its medium is Acrylic and marble dust on canvas. — **Nick Aguayo**
“Gasoline,” 2024
Acrylic and marble dust on canvas
96" x 86" x 2 ³⁄₄" [HxWxD] (243.84 x 218.44 x 6.99 cm)
Inventory #AGU309
Courtesy of the artist and Vielmetter Los Angeles
Photo credit: Jeff McLane

This image depicts an artwork by Nick Aguayo titled "Summer Knowledge." This artwork was created in 2024 and measures 96" x 86" x 2 ³⁄₄" [HxWxD] (243.84 x 218.44 x 6.99 cm). Its medium is Acrylic and marble dust on canvas. — **Nick Aguayo**
“Summer Knowledge,” 2024
Acrylic and marble dust on canvas
96" x 86" x 2 ³⁄₄" [HxWxD] (243.84 x 218.44 x 6.99 cm)
Inventory #AGU310
Courtesy of the artist and Vielmetter Los Angeles
Photo credit: Jeff McLane

This image depicts an artwork by Nick Aguayo titled "Nails." This artwork was created in 2024 and measures 102 ¹⁄₂" x 90" x 2" [HxWxD] (260.35 x 228.6 x 5.08 cm). Its medium is Acrylic and marble dust on muslin. — **Nick Aguayo**
“Nails,” 2024
Acrylic and marble dust on muslin
102 ¹⁄₂" x 90" x 2" [HxWxD] (260.35 x 228.6 x 5.08 cm)
Inventory #AGU294
Courtesy of the artist and Vielmetter Los Angeles
Photo credit: Jeff McLane

This image depicts an artwork by Nick Aguayo titled "New High Street." This artwork was created in 2024 and measures 108" x 86" [HxW] (274.32 x 218.44 cm). Its medium is Acrylic and marble dust on canvas. — **Nick Aguayo**
“New High Street,” 2024
Acrylic and marble dust on canvas
108" x 86" [HxW] (274.32 x 218.44 cm)
Inventory #AGU297
Courtesy of the artist and Vielmetter Los Angeles
Photo credit: Jeff McLane

This image depicts an artwork by Nick Aguayo titled "Elma." This artwork was created in 2024 and measures 36" x 36" x 2" [HxWxD] (91.44 x 91.44 x 5.08 cm). Its medium is Acrylic and marble dust on canvas. — **Nick Aguayo**
“Elma,” 2024
Acrylic and marble dust on canvas
36" x 36" x 2" [HxWxD] (91.44 x 91.44 x 5.08 cm)
Inventory #AGU315
Courtesy of the artist and Vielmetter Los Angeles
Photo credit: Jeff McLane

This image depicts an artwork by Nick Aguayo titled "Head." This artwork was created in 2024 and measures 48" x 36" x 1 ¹⁄₂" [HxWxD] (121.92 x 91.44 x 3.81 cm). Its medium is Acrylic and marble dust on canvas. — **Nick Aguayo**
“Head,” 2024
Acrylic and marble dust on canvas
48" x 36" x 1 ¹⁄₂" [HxWxD] (121.92 x 91.44 x 3.81 cm)
Inventory #AGU300
Signed, dated and titled verso
Courtesy of the artist and Vielmetter Los Angeles
Photo credit: Jeff McLane

This image depicts an artwork by Nick Aguayo titled "Lounge Lizard." This artwork was created in 2024 and measures 40" x 30" x 1 ¹⁄₂" [HxWxD] (101.6 x 76.2 x 3.81 cm). Its medium is Acrylic and marble dust on canvas. — **Nick Aguayo**
“Lounge Lizard,” 2024
Acrylic and marble dust on canvas
40" x 30" x 1 ¹⁄₂" [HxWxD] (101.6 x 76.2 x 3.81 cm)
Inventory #AGU303
Signed, dated and titled verso
Courtesy of the artist and Vielmetter Los Angeles
Photo credit: Jeff McLane

This image depicts an artwork by Nick Aguayo titled "Lexicon Devil." This artwork was created in 2024 and measures 87" x 72" x 2" [HxWxD] (220.98 x 182.88 x 5.08 cm). Its medium is Acrylic and marble dust on muslin. — **Nick Aguayo**
“Lexicon Devil,” 2024
Acrylic and marble dust on muslin
87" x 72" x 2" [HxWxD] (220.98 x 182.88 x 5.08 cm)
Inventory #AGU291
Courtesy of the artist and Vielmetter Los Angeles
Photo credit: Jeff McLane

This image depicts an artwork by Nick Aguayo titled "Crepuscule with Nelly." This artwork was created in 2024 and measures 66" x 66" x 2 ³⁄₄" [HxWxD] (167.64 x 167.64 x 6.99 cm). Its medium is Acrylic and marble dust on canvas. — **Nick Aguayo**
“Crepuscule with Nelly,” 2024
Acrylic and marble dust on canvas
66" x 66" x 2 ³⁄₄" [HxWxD] (167.64 x 167.64 x 6.99 cm)
Inventory #AGU312
Courtesy of the artist and Vielmetter Los Angeles
Photo credit: Jeff McLane

This image depicts an artwork by Nick Aguayo titled "Aberdeen." This artwork was created in 2024 and measures 36" x 36" x 2" [HxWxD] (91.44 x 91.44 x 5.08 cm). Its medium is Acrylic and marble dust on canvas. — **Nick Aguayo**
“Aberdeen,” 2024
Acrylic and marble dust on canvas
36" x 36" x 2" [HxWxD] (91.44 x 91.44 x 5.08 cm)
Inventory #AGU314
Courtesy of the artist and Vielmetter Los Angeles
Photo credit: Jeff McLane

This image depicts an artwork by Nick Aguayo titled "Ord." This artwork was created in 2023 and measures 32 ¹⁄₄" x 32 ¹⁄₄" x 2 ¹⁄₄" [HxWxD] (81.91 x 81.91 x 5.71 cm). Its medium is Acrylic and marble dust on canvas. — **Nick Aguayo**
“Ord,” 2023
Acrylic and marble dust on canvas
32 ¹⁄₄" x 32 ¹⁄₄" x 2 ¹⁄₄" [HxWxD] (81.91 x 81.91 x 5.71 cm)
Inventory #AGU280
Signed, titled and dated verso
Courtesy of the artist and Vielmetter Los Angeles
Photo credit: Brica Wilcox

Nick Aguayo “Moon Dog,” 2022 — **Nick Aguayo**
“Moon Dog,” 2022
Acrylic and marble dust on canvas
86" x 86" [HxW] (218.44 x 218.44 cm)
Inventory #AGU246
Courtesy of the artist and Vielmetter Los Angeles
Photo credit: Brica Wilcox

Nick Aguayo “Zoot Zot Blep,” 2022 — **Nick Aguayo**
“Zoot Zot Blep,” 2022
Acrylic and marble dust on canvas
66" x 66" [HxW] (167.64 x 167.64 cm)
Inventory #AGU245
Courtesy of the artist and Vielmetter Los Angeles
Photo credit: Brica Wilcox

Nick Aguayo “pizzicato,” 2019 — **Nick Aguayo**
“pizzicato,” 2019
Acrylic and marble dust on canvas
86 x 86 x 2" [HxWxD] (218.44 x 218.44 x 5.08 cm)
Courtesy of the artist and Vielmetter Los Angeles
Photo credit: Robert Wedemeyer

Nick Aguayo “placebo shampoo,” 2019 — **Nick Aguayo**
“placebo shampoo,” 2019
Acrylic and marble dust on canvas
24 x 24 x 1.5" [HxWxD] (60.96 x 60.96 x 3.81 cm)
Courtesy of the artist and Vielmetter Los Angeles

Nick Aguayo “waiting for the desert,” 2019 — **Nick Aguayo**
“waiting for the desert,” 2019
Acrylic and marble dust on canvas
60 x 48 x 1.5" [HxWxD] (152.4 x 121.92 x 3.81 cm)
Courtesy of the artist and Vielmetter Los Angeles
Photo credit: Jeff McLane
Signed and date on verso

Nick Aguayo “love buzz,” 2018 — **Nick Aguayo**
“love buzz,” 2018
Acrylic and marble dust on canvas
36 x 36 x 1.5" [HxWxD] (91.44 x 91.44 x 3.81 cm)
Courtesy of the artist and Vielmetter Los Angeles
Photo credit: Jeff McLane
Signed and date on verso

Nick Aguayo “ptooff,” 2019 — **Nick Aguayo**
“ptooff,” 2019
Acrylic and marble dust on canvas
48 x 48" [HxW] (121.92 x 121.92 cm)
Courtesy of the artist and Vielmetter Los Angeles
Photo credit: Robert Wedemeyer
Signed and dated on verso

Nick Aguayo “paper,” 2019 — **Nick Aguayo**
“paper,” 2019
Acrylic and marble dust on canvas
36 x 36 x 1.5" [HxWxD] (91.44 x 91.44 x 3.81 cm)
Courtesy of the artist and Vielmetter Los Angeles
Photo credit: Robert Wedemeyer
Signed and date on verso

Nick Aguayo “Alexandra,” 2019 — **Nick Aguayo**
“Alexandra,” 2019
Acrylic and marble dust on canvas
81 x 82 x 2" [HxWxD] (205.74 x 208.28 x 5.08 cm)
Courtesy of the artist and Vielmetter Los Angeles
Photo credit: Robert Wedemeyer
Signed and dated on verso

Nick Aguayo, "Untitled," 2015, Acrylic, flashe, and marble dust, 86.50" H x 79" W, Photo cred: Robert Wedemeyer — **Nick Aguayo**
Untitled, 2015
Acrylic, flashe, and marble dust
86.50" H x 79" W
Photo cred: Robert Wedemeyer

Nick Aguayo “Untitled,” 2018 — **Nick Aguayo**
“Untitled,” 2018
Acrylic and marble dust on canvas
36" x 36" [HxW] (91.44 x 91.44 cm)
Inventory #AGU168
Courtesy of the artist and Vielmetter Los Angeles
Photo credit: Robert Wedemeyer

Nick Aguayo Untitled, 2017 — **Nick Aguayo**
"Untitled," 2017
Acrylic on canvas
36 x 36" [HxW] (91.44 x 91.44 cm)
signature line
Courtesy of the artist and Vielmetter Los Angeles
Photo credit: Jeff McLane

This image illustrates a link to the exhibition titled Nick Aguayo<br>Bari Ziperstein in<br><i>Step & Repeat</i>

Nick Aguayo
Bari Ziperstein in
Step & Repeat

March 6 — April 18, 2025

Los Angeles Municipal Art Gallery

Nick Aguayo: Erasing A Flower

July 20 — September 7, 2024

Vielmetter Los Angeles, Gallery II

20 Years Anniversary Exhibition Part 2

June 26 — August 7, 2021

Vielmetter Los Angeles, Gallery I & II

Nick Aguayo: Wake the Town and Tell the People

September 7 — October 19, 2019

Vielmetter Los Angeles

Nick Aguayo

May 31 — July 5, 2014

Vielmetter Los Angeles

1984: Born in Palm Springs, California
: Lives and works in Los Angeles, CA

2012: MFA, University of California, Irvine, Irvine, CA
2007: BA, University of California, Los Angeles, Los Angeles, CA

Selected Solo Exhibitions

2024: "Erasing A Flower," Vielmetter Los Angeles, Los Angeles, CA
2023: “Some Trees,” The Floating Gallery, Auto Brake Center, Los Angeles, CA
: "Nick Aguayo," Miles McEnery Gallery, New York, NY
: "The Trial," Good Naked Gallery, Los Angeles, CA
2022: "Art at Tamarisk," Tamarisk Country Club, Rancho Mirage, CA
: Group Show, Blue Door Gallery, Guerneville, CA
2021: "20 Years," Vielmetter Los Angeles, Los Angeles, CA
: "Via Cafe," Tif Sigfrids, Comer, GA
2020: "poem from home," curated by Rema Gholum, online
: "LA In Bloom: Seven Approaches to Abstraction," curated by Maryam Parsi, Werkartz, Los Angeles, CA
: "The Vista: Abstract Painting," Durden and Ray, Los Angeles, CA
: "Glyph," Unpaved Gallery, Yucca Valley, CA, Curated by Ryan Schneider
2019: "Wake the Town and Tell the People," Vielmetter Los Angeles, Los Angeles, CA
: “Synthesis: Some Abstraction in Los Angeles,” Claremont Graduate University, Claremont, CA
: "Works on Paper," The Pit, Los Angeles, CA
2017: “Crystal Flowers,” Index, Los Angeles, CA
: “Wrong II,” PØST, Los Angeles, CA
: “Vantage,” Finishing Concepts, Los Angeles, CA
: “Objective / Non Objective,” Gallery Also, Los Angeles, CA (Link)
2016: "Be With Me, a Small Exhibition of Large Paintings,” New Mexico Museum of Art, Santa Fe, NM
2015: "Black / White," curated by Brian Alfred, Ameringer | McEnery | Yohe, New York, NY
2014: Susanne Vielmetter Los Angeles Projects, Culver City, CA
2013: "Black Rabbit, White Hole," Samuel Freeman Gallery, Los Angeles, CA
: "Paradox Maintenance Technicians," Torrance Art Museum, Torrance, CA
2012: UC Irvine Graduate Exhibition, LAXART, Los Angeles, CA
: "A Romantic Measure," Charlie James Gallery, Los Angeles, CA
: UC Irvine Thesis Exhibition, Irvine, CA
: "Traumatic Materiality," Autonomie, Los Angeles, CA
2011: "My head is falling out, so Im standing on my stomach," Artist Curated Projects, The Armory Center for The Arts, Pasadena, CA
: "Ne Me Quitte Pas," University Art Gallery, UC Irvine, Irvine, CA
2010: "Action (Un)Packed: Abstraction After Action," Commonspace, Los Angeles, CA
: "GLAMFA," California State University Long Beach, Long Beach, CA
: Workspace Selects, House on Genesee, Los Angeles, CA
2007: Undergraduate Scholarship Exhibition, UCLA, Los Angeles, CA
: "No Art Today," INMO Gallery, Los Angeles, CA
: Nick Aguayo Painting Exhibition, UCLA Undergraduate Art Gallery, Los Angeles, CA
: Hillel Juried Exhibition, UCLA, Los Angeles, CA
: Senior Show, UCLA, Los Angeles, CA

Awards, Grants and Fellowships

2014: Emerging Artist Grant, Rema Hort Foundation, New York, NY
2009-2012: Fees Fellowship, University of California, Irvine
2007: Edward J. and Alice Mae Smith Award, UCLA Department of Art

Bibliography

2022: Aguyao, Nick. "Why This Art: ‘Montauk Highway'," Alta, June 29 (Link)
2019: Akers Point-Dexter, Kathryn. "Nick Aguayo at Vielmetter Los Angeles," Contemporary Art Review Los Angeles, October 2 (Link)
: Heitzman, Lorraine. "Vielmetter and Nicodim: 1700 South Santa Fe – Art Gains a Foothold," Art and Cake, September 23 (Link)
: Drambot, Shana Nys. "Art Guide: Saturday, September 7th in Downtown," LA Weekly, September 4 (Link)
2017: Adams, Lisa. "Art Los Angeles Contemporary 2016: Through the Eyes of a Painter," January 29
2016: Jadrnak, Jackie. "Enchanting art," Journal North, October 21
: Jansen, Char. "Artists' Desks," Artslant, January 27
: "The City of Angels in A Starring Role," Art Auction, January
2014: King, Jennifer. "Nick Aguayo at Susanne Vielmetter Los Angeles Projects," Artforum, October (Link)

Public Collections

: The Bronx Museum of the Arts, Bronx, NY
: Palm Springs Art Museum, Palm Springs, CA

Exhibition Catalogues and Publications

2023: Aguayo, Nick. "Quarantine Drawings," La Loma Projects, Los Angeles, CA

Nick Aguayo

About

Selected Works

Exhibitions

Biography