Damien A. Vera is a New York City-born metal and figurative sculptor. He began his career as a toolmaker machinist for NASA and the military. After a year of concurrently sculpting at night, he gave up working the military machine shop to dedicate his life full-time to sculpting and joined the Arts Students League of New York. His current work includes life-sized metal and clay figures incorporating innovative and traditional sculpting techniques that convey reference for nature while embracing the artificial. His fascination with how individuals view themselves and how they tell their stories is exemplified in his artistic approach, “If a picture is worth a thousand words, a sculpture tells an epic tale.”

Exhibitions

2010
“Technical Instructors’ Exhibition”, Phyllis Harriman Mason Gallery, New York, NY
“Sculptors Alliance, Inc. 30th Anniversary Exhibit: Then and Now”, Tompkins Square
Library Gallery, New York, NY
“Art Student Exhibition 2010” ISE Cultural Foundation, New York, NY

2009
“Technical Instructors’ Exhibition”, Phyllis Harriman Mason Gallery, New York, NY
“Launch: A Group Expedition”, Rogue Space, New York, NY
“Wasted”, Don Hills, New York, NY
“Wasted: 2 Year Anniversary”, Don Hills, New York, NY

2008
“Technical Instructors’ Exhibition”, Phyllis Harriman Mason Gallery, New York, NY

Teaching

Art Students League of New York, 2007-present
Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute, 2005-2007

Awards/ Residencies

Gerda Karr Scholarship for Sculptors 2010
Apprenticeship for Barney Hodes 2008
Art Students League of New York, Barney Hodes Studio Assistant 2008
Touchstone Center for Crafts Studio Resident Assistant 2006
RPI PACE Competition 2006 Winner