Ivan Toth Depeña

Ivan Toth Depeña (born October 31, 1972) is an American artist, sculptor, and architectural designer. He is currently based in Charlotte, North Carolina. He is known for his fine art and public art works and installations such as Reflect, located in the Stephen P. Clark Government Center, and the augmented reality installation Lapse. His works are known for their combination of glass, light, and interactivity.

Early life and education Depeña was born in Miami, Florida. As a young artist in Miami, he was influenced by New York City graffiti artists.

Depeña attended Pratt Institute the Frost Art Museum, the Museum of Contemporary Art in North Miami, Pérez Art Museum Miami, and the David Castillo Gallery. Outside of Miami, Depeña has also lived and worked in New York. His work has also been displayed in the Praxis Gallery in New York City and the New Britain Museum of American Art in Connecticut.

Depeña completed his first public art installation, Reflect, in 2011.

Depeña relocated to Charlotte in 2014 after being offered an artist-in-residence position at the McColl Center for Art + Innovation.

Depeña also designed an art installation depicting the Solar System that was displayed at Ohio State University in 2019.

In 2023, Depeña's abstract illuminated sculptures depicting photon particles were installed at the entrance of the Duke Energy Plaza in Charlotte.

Depeña has served as an assistant professor of art, music, and design at Queens University.

Selected works and projects

Reflect Reflect is an interactive art piece made from LED light boxes that respond to cameras that record visitors’ movement and gestures. Reflect was awarded a “Year in Review” award from the Public Art Network. It initially displayed UNM school colors before debuting its programmed color sequence on May 10.

Surface Surface is a colored glass installation that is located in the Cornelius Park and Ride comfort station. Depeña was awarded his second “Year in Review” award from the Public Art Network for Surface in 2018.

Air/Traffic/Control Depeña's installation Air/Traffic/Control at the Nashville International Airport went on to win another “Year in Review” award in 2019. alt=Aurum at Vantage South End, Charlotte, NC, created by Ivan Toth Depeña. Aurum at Vantage South End, Charlotte, NC, created by Ivan Toth Depeña.

Aurum Depeña's metallic sculpture Aurum was commissioned by The Spectrum Companies and displayed as the centerpiece of the Vantage South End building in Charlotte in 2022.

Breaking Barriers Depeña also created the concrete-and-bronze sculpture Breaking Barriers, which was made as a tribute to football player Jack Trice and installed in front of Jack Trice Stadium at Iowa State University in 2022.

Selected awards

2012, 2018, 2019 - Year in Review Award - Public Art Network 2013 - Knight Arts Challenge Winner - John S. and James L. Knight Foundation 2017 - Public Spaces Award - CODAWorx Top 100 2017 2017 - Collections Finalist - CIFO