Javier Téllez

Javier Téllez is a contemporary artist from Venezuela who is known for his interdisciplinary approach, which spans sculpture, film, and performance art. Born in Valencia in 1969, Téllez studied at the Arturo Michelena School of Fine Arts before moving to New York City in the 1990s to pursue his artistic career.

Téllez's work is characterized by his interest in the intersection of art and mental illness. He often collaborates with individuals who have been diagnosed with mental health conditions, incorporating their experiences and perspectives into his art. Téllez's work aims to challenge stigmas around mental illness, and to encourage a greater understanding and empathy towards those who experience mental health conditions.

He received a Guggenheim Fellowship in 1999, and in 2016 the Global Mental Health Award for Innovation in the Arts from Columbia University, New York.