Collection: Carlos Rolón/Dzine

Carlos Rolón (b. 1970), also known as Dzine, is a contemporary American visual artist of Puerto Rican descent. His diverse body of work has been exhibited internationally, including at the Bass Museum of Art in Miami, Marta Herford Museum in Germany, Museo de Arte de Ponce in Puerto Rico, and the New Orleans Museum of Art. Notably, Rolón also participated in the 2007 Venice Biennale.

Born and raised in Chicago, Rolón attended Columbia College Chicago in 1989, focusing on painting and drawing. Influenced by the vibrant street, hip hop, disco, and punk cultures of 1980s New York City, he transitioned from street art to abstract painting in his early twenties. His travels to Europe introduced him to Paris's underground music and fashion scene, and later to Japan, where he had a successful solo exhibition in 2003 at Scai the Bathhouse in Tokyo. This exhibition sold out before its opening, marking a significant moment in his career.

In 2005, the Contemporary Art Museum St. Louis hosted a solo exhibition titled "Punk Funk," featuring new works, including a large-scale site-specific installation. Rolón’s early career was marked by his representation by Chicago gallerist Monique Meloche from 2001 to 2010, during which time he exhibited at the Museum of Contemporary Art, Chicago. His career took a major leap forward in 2007 when he caught the attention of Jeffrey Deitch at the Venice Biennale, leading to representation and a solo exhibition at Deitch Projects. Rolón has since exhibited across Asia, Europe, Africa, and Puerto Rico.