J. Margulis

J. Margulis, full name Jose Margulis, is a kinetic artist born in 1970 in Caracas, Venezuela, who lives and works in Miami. He is known for his three-dimensional geometric constructions, which use light, colour and layering to create works in constant transformation, shifting with the viewer's position and the passage of time.

His practice sits where art, science and philosophy meet. Galerie de Bellefeuille is proud to count J. Margulis among the contemporary kinetic art artists it presents in Montreal and Toronto.

From Caracas to Miami: a photographer's eye

Before turning to volume, Jose Margulis trained in photography. From 1986 to 1990, he took advanced courses and worked in the black and white darkroom at the Instituto Neumann in Caracas.

He went on to complete a degree in management at the Universidad Metropolitana in 1994. That first way of seeing, attentive to light and framing, still runs through his work.

Born in Venezuela, a country tied to some of the great names of kinetic art, he takes up its central question: how can a still object produce movement in the eye of the person looking at it?

Kinetic wall sculptures in plexiglass

J. Margulis's works are kinetic wall sculptures built from successive layers of plexiglass, acrylic and aluminum composite. Lines, grids and fields of colour are spread across several planes within a depth of about three inches. As the viewer moves, the planes shift against one another: patterns vibrate, colours blend, forms appear and dissolve.

His practice rests on precision, whether in exploring new materials, fine-tuning kinetic interactions or integrating technology into his pieces. He believes in the power of structure and discipline, both in making the work and in sustaining a meaningful artistic practice.

Portholes, PH fragments, Counterspace: recent series

His recent series show the range of this research. The Portholes, square 16-inch formats, each open a window onto a moving field of colour. The PH fragments share the same intimate format.

Other pieces, such as Counterspace No. 12, Fourfold No. 5, Periscope and PH20 array beta, apply the same principle at a larger scale, up to a full wall. J. Margulis art then reads as an architecture of light.

Between perception and emotion

Driven by a deep curiosity about how we perceive reality, Margulis explores duality, emotional nuance and the unseen forces that shape our awareness. He thinks of his works as thresholds, spaces where the visible and the felt intertwine.

His art invites quiet attention and offers a meditative experience grounded in movement and presence. Every new angle reveals another dimension of the work.

Collecting J. Margulis

A J. Margulis work is never seen from a single point of view: it changes through the day, with the light in the room and with everyone who walks past it. The small Portholes formats lend themselves to grouped hangs, while the large panels can anchor a wall on their own.

Collectors drawn to the Venezuelan kinetic tradition will continue the journey with Carlos Cruz-Diez's kinetic paintings. For another take on movement in three dimensions, Antoine Dufilho's car sculptures also recompose themselves as you walk around them.

Finally, Patrick Hughes's reverspective works on the same principle: a piece that seems to move with your gaze. To see the J. Margulis art for sale right now, our team welcomes you to our spaces in Montreal and Toronto.

Career Highlights

• Born in Caracas, Venezuela in 1970, J. Margulis lives and works in Miami, Florida.

• He trained in photography at the Instituto Neumann in Caracas from 1986 to 1990, then completed a degree in management at the Universidad Metropolitana in 1994.

• He creates kinetic wall sculptures in plexiglass, acrylic and aluminium composite.

• His recent series include Portholes, PH fragments, Counterspace and Fourfold.

Notable Exhibitions

• 3D Vibrations, solo retrospective, Miami Dade College, Miami, 2017.

• Solo exhibition at Galleria GUM, Wynwood Arts District, Miami, 2016.

• Art Toronto 2026, with Galerie de Bellefeuille, October 29 to November 1, 2026.

FAQ

Who is J. Margulis?

J. Margulis is the artist name of Jose Margulis, a Venezuelan artist born in Caracas in 1970 and based in Miami. He creates kinetic wall sculptures in layered plexiglass whose patterns and colours transform with the viewer's position.

How does a J. Margulis kinetic work function?

Through layering. Lines and colours are spread across several transparent planes separated by a shallow depth. As you move in front of the work, the layers shift, making the patterns vibrate and revealing new forms.

Where can I buy J. Margulis art in Canada?

At Galerie de Bellefeuille, 1367 Greene Avenue in Montreal and 87 Avenue Road in Toronto. Prices are available on request. A kinetic work is best understood in person, so write ahead and we will make sure the pieces you want to see are accessible.