Mario Yrisarry

Mario Yrissary (1933–1997) was a Filipino-American abstract artist known for his shaped canvases and refined geometric compositions. Born in Manila, Philippines, he moved to the United States in the late 1950s and became active in New York’s postwar abstract art scene. Yrissary studied at the University of the Philippines before continuing his artistic development in the United States, where he embraced geometric abstraction as his primary mode of expression.

Yrissary’s work is characterized by crisp edges, flat planes of color, and carefully structured forms that emphasize clarity and balance. He frequently employed shaped canvases, moving beyond the traditional rectangular format to explore the painting as both image and object. His compositions reflect the influence of Hard-Edge painting and Minimalism, focusing on the relationship between color, contour, and spatial perception.

A member of the American Abstract Artists group, Yrissary was part of a generation committed to advancing non-objective art in the United States. His work demonstrates a disciplined formal language, combining precision with subtle visual rhythm and harmony.

Throughout his career, Yrissary exhibited in galleries and institutions across the United States. His paintings remain recognized for their elegant simplicity and intellectual rigor, contributing to the ongoing legacy of geometric abstraction in late 20th-century American art.