Born in the mid 1970's, Mario Schambon emigrated with his family to the U.S. as violence ascended in Escobar era Colombia. Early life in Florida was a heady introduction to new cultures, languages and music. Art became an obsession fueled by the works he would see growing up and traveling around the US, Spain and Canada. In 1998 he was diagnosed with acromegaly caused by a cerebral tumor. It was during his surgery and recovery in Bogotá that music became a dominant force in his life and work. His experiences culminate in an artist whose work explores Latinx familial histories as well as the dualities of navigating language and social customs through music, performance and collaboration.
Mario Schambon has had the honor of working and/or performing with many distinguished artists including Damo Suzuki, Juliana Barwick, Sonia Sanchez, Atlas Sound, Laetita Sadier, Ani Cordero, Mike Khoury, Leyya Tawil (Dance Elixir)and Helado Negro.
His installations have highlighted the injustice of slavery on Jekyll Island, illuminated and activated architectural spaces in New Orleans and Toronto , entertained concertgoers at Bonnaroo, and have become regarded elements in the public parks of Roswell GA.
His artistic mission is to activate abandoned or otherwise mundane spaces using repurposed or recycled materials, sound and media in unexpected ways. In 2008 he was awarded the Wanderer Memorial commission propelled by his interest in social justice. His latest project Campos de Luz (Fields of Light), was inspired by Walter De Maria's symbolic "Lightning Field" and is a vehicle for uniting song ,sound design and magical story telling with social commentary. The self titled album"Campos de Luz" is available on Imaginator Records.
Mario Schambon has had the honor of working and/or performing with many distinguished artists including Damo Suzuki, Juliana Barwick, Sonia Sanchez, Atlas Sound, Laetita Sadier, Ani Cordero, Mike Khoury, Leyya Tawil (Dance Elixir)and Helado Negro.
His installations have highlighted the injustice of slavery on Jekyll Island, illuminated and activated architectural spaces in New Orleans and Toronto , entertained concertgoers at Bonnaroo, and have become regarded elements in the public parks of Roswell GA.
His artistic mission is to activate abandoned or otherwise mundane spaces using repurposed or recycled materials, sound and media in unexpected ways. In 2008 he was awarded the Wanderer Memorial commission propelled by his interest in social justice. His latest project Campos de Luz (Fields of Light), was inspired by Walter De Maria's symbolic "Lightning Field" and is a vehicle for uniting song ,sound design and magical story telling with social commentary. The self titled album"Campos de Luz" is available on Imaginator Records.
