Julius Cavira is an Iraq War veteran, conceptual sculptor, oil painter, and memoirist. Born in Chicago to a single-parent household of Spanish and Filipino immigrants, he is now based on the East Coast. His interdisciplinary practice spans painting, sculpture, performance, design, and writing, transforming lived experience into materially driven works that engage figuration, landscape, and surrealism.
Cavira’s work is rooted in his experience as a BIPOC, middle-class artist navigating domestic xenophobia, the structures of the art world, combat-related PTSD, and neurodivergence. These intersecting conditions inform a research-driven practice that examines identity, mental health, cultural tension, capitalist systems, and institutional critique. His work intentionally rejects “art for art’s sake,” instead prioritizing purpose, accessibility, and broader public engagement beyond traditional art institutions. "The Yellow Life": A recent investigation into the derogatory term for Asian Americans. His intent is to portray Asian Pacific Islander American (APIA) experiences through duotone rose gold and tan portraits.
Cavira holds an MFA from the Rhode Island School of Design and a BFA from the School of the Art Institute of Chicago.
Education
2020 - 2022
MFA in Sculpture, Rhode Island School of Design
1998 - 2002
BFA in Painting & Drawing, School of the Art Institute of Chicago
Exhibitions
2025
Reframing Representation, RISD Architecture Dept., RI
2023
WEDGED TOGETHER, East Manning Projects, RI
Edward Mitchell Bannister Exhibition. Providence Art Club. RI
2022
New Contemporaries, RISD Museum, RI
RISD Graduate Thesis Exhibition, RI
RISD Grad Student Commencement Speaker, RI
St. Boltoph Emerging Artist Award Exhibition, RI
The Stories Objects Tell. Brown University, RI
2021
Vibrant Matter. RISD Collaboration, Providence, RI
Into the Unknown. RISD Grad Sculpture Biennale, RI
2020
Final Projects. Gelman Gallery, RISD Museum, RI
PANDIMONIUM. Pawtucket Artists Collaborative, RI
Generation C. RISD Center for Complexity, RI
HOPE International Mural Project, IA
2019
ART BY THE FOOT. Figge Art Museum, Davenport, IA
Earth, Sand, & Fire: The Bowl. Iowa Ceramics Center, IA
2018
Art@the Airport Quad City Int. Airport Gallery, IL
2017
Live Stand-Up Comedy. Penguin’s Comedy Club, IA
2016
PEEP SHOW. Black Earth Gallery, Cedar Rapids, IA
Memories, Myths & Messages. Quad-City Arts Gallery, IL
2014
Cavira Works, Veterans Memorial Building, IA
2013
Kiss Studies. The Chait Galleries, Iowa City, IA
2012
Dreams of Asia, Alaska Gallery, AK
2011
My Wayward Journey Thus Far. University of Alaska, AK
Works by Julius Cavira, Intl. Gallery of Contemporary Art, AK
2010
Oriental, Alaska Gallery, Palmer, AK
2009
Featured Local Artists. Madd Matters Gallery, AK
Featured Local Artists. Two Spirits Gallery, AK
2008
International Gallery of Contemporary Art, AK
2003
Friends. Camphill Communities California, CA
Portrait” Chicago Public Library, IL
2002
Featured Artist, Lobotomy Gallery, IL
2001
Asian American Artists Collective Art Exhibit. IL
2000
SAIC Lounge Gallery. IL
1997
Museum of Contemporary of Chicago All-City Art Exhibit, IL
1995
US Congressional Art Competition Art Exhibit, US Capitol
Awards
2025
Vermont Studio Center of Fine Arts & Writing residency, VT
2024
Bunker Projects Artist Residency, PA
2023
MASS MoCA Residency Program, MA
Haystack Mountain School of Crafts Artists Residency, ME
Anderson Ranch Artist Residency Presidential Scholarship, OR
Edward Mitchell Bannister Exhibition. Providence Art Club. RI
2022
Master of Fine Arts SCULPTURE, Providence, RI
St. Botolph Emerging Artist Award, Boston, MA
2016
OVERALLS ALL OVER. Grant Wood’s 125th Birthday, IA
2015
Ahlers & Cooney Art Competition, Des Moines, IA
2014
New Bohemia Art Fest Art Competition, Cedar Rapids, IA
28th League for Innovation, National Art Competition
2012
Master Fundamentals. Toastmaster International, AK
2009
Selected Logo Design. Warrior Transition Battalion, AK
2008
Good Conduct Medal. US Army Fort Richardson, AK
2007
Combat Action Badge. 725th Support BN, AK
2006
“Retirement.” 503 Military Police Battalion, US Army, NC
Challenge Coin. 65th MP co ABN, US Army, NC
1997
All-City Art Exhibit. MCA of Chicago, IL
1996
Gallery 37 Citywide Art Fair. Chicago, IL
1995
The U.S. Congressional Art Competition. District 4, IL
Celebrating New Expressions. CPS-H.S. Art Competition
1995
25th Bilingual Education Poster Contest. CPS, IL
1993
Asian American Heritage Month Art Exhibit Contest, IL
1993
Chicago Lakeview Lions Peace Poster Contest, IL
1992
Columbus: 500 years of America Art Contest. Chicago, IL
1991
SAIC Early College Scholarship, IL
1990
SAIC Early College Scholarship, IL
1989
47th Ward Spring Clean-Up Art Competition. Lions Club, IL