Bio

Originally born in Montevideo, Uruguay, I am an artist in Washington, DC. and I specialize in writing, music and photography.

In 2021 obtained a Masters of Fine Arts in Visual and Performing Arts with a concentration in Photography from George Mason University.

As an avid photographer my work has been exhibited in galleries and in print in publications such as DCist and The Washington City Paper.

As a musician I have played at major clubs along the East Coast of the United States and abroad.

My professional experience of over 20 years includes working as journalist, translator, and graphic designer with companies such as United Press International, The Washington Post, the Spanish news agency EFE, Maya Advertising, and the Office of Minority Health Resource Center.

Education 

MFA in Visual and Performing Arts (Photography) at George Mason University
BA English at George Mason University
AAS Interactive Design Major at Northern Virginia Community College
AAS Communications Design at Northern Virginia Community College

Exhibits

Aug. 2024-Nov. 2024, RE(FORM)ER, joint exhibit with Steven Luu, Fenwick Library Gallery, George Mason University, Fairfax, Va. https://www.masonexhibitions.org/exhibitions/reformer

Apr. 24-May 22, 2024, Art of Accumulation, National Juried Show, group exhibit at the John A. Cade Center for Fine Arts Gallery, Anne Arundel Community College, Md.

Jan. 1-Jan. 31, 2024, “Unveiling the Layers,” online group art show, HMVC Gallery, New York: https://www.hmvcgallery.com/exhibitions-group/

Aug. 19, 2021 Online Screening: DC DADA/Verum.non.Verum Presents: ShOrt Film ShOwcase at Rhizome DC

Mar. 26-Apr. 2, 2021 “Inertia of the Real,” solo exhibit at the Gillespie Gallery, George Mason University: http://jorgebanales.com/inertiaofthereal

Oct. 16-Dec.18, 2020 Call & Response: Structure, Fenwick Library Gallery, George Mason University: https://fenwickgallery.gmu.edu/exhibitions/call-response-2020/

Nov. 8-Dec. 14, 2019 SOA Scholarship Exhibition, Atrium Gallery, Buchanan Hall, George Mason University

2019 [Land]scape, Lorton Workhouse Arts Center, Lorton, Va. 

Dec 3-Feb. 1, 2019 [Land]scape, Fenwick Library, George Mason University: https://fenwickgallery.gmu.edu/exhibitions/landscape/

2014 Winner, Washington City Paper’s Inaugural Photography Contest: www.washingtoncitypaper.com/articles/45294/2014-photograp...

2013 InstantDC Soul of the City Exhibition Opening

2012 InstantDC Exhibition

2011 InstantDC Mobile Photography Exhibit

2010 InstantDC mobile photo exhibit

Publications

Feb. 27, 2024 Rakt online magazine article about my Eurorack Modular adventures under the name Unspooled: https://app.mlsend.com/y9o1k5e6f7/

Jan. 31, 2022 Modular World Announces Upcoming Date for its Next Level Synthesizer Live-Stream Event: Modular World Announces Upcoming Date for its Next Level Synthesizer Live-Stream Event

Jul. 27, 2021 How to start an art collection on a budget? It’s as easy as buying a farm share: https://www.washingtonpost.com/goingoutguide/rhizome-dc-community-supported-art/2021/07/26/aeeb0ba2-eb02-11eb-97a0-a09d10181e36_story.html

Dodho Magazine: "Night People": https://www.dodho.com/night-people-by-jorge-banales/

Dec. 15, 2015 Dodho Magazine: "In the City": www.dodho.com/in-the-city-by-jorge-e-banales/

Dec. 20, 2015 Featured Instagrammers: exposeddc.com/2015/12/20/featured-instagrammers-december-...

Nov. 1, 2015 Featured Instagrammers: exposeddc.com/2015/11/01/featured-instagrammers-november-...

Oct. 25, 2015 Featured Instagrammers: exposeddc.com/2015/10/25/featured-instagrammers-october-2...

Jun. 2-Jun. 5, 2014 We Love DC, Week in Review

May 20, 2014 DCist, About Tonight: dcist.com/2014/05/about_tonight_may_20_2014.php

Jul. 8, 2013 DCist: About Tonight: dcist.com/2013/07/about_tonight_july_8_2013.php

Jun. 12, 2013 DCist: About Tonight: dcist.com/2013/06/about_tonight_june_12_2013.php

Jul. 8, 2012 DCist: Photo of the Day: dcist.com/2012/07/photo_of_the_day_july_8_2012.php

Oct. 9, 2012 DCist: Photo of the Day: dcist.com/2012/10/photo_of_the_day_october_9_2012.php

Oct. 4, 2012 DCist: Photo of the Day: dcist.com/2012/10/photo_of_the_day_october_4_2012.php

Discography

Full Length

2016 “It’s Alright” Caz Gardiner
Bandcamp: https://cazgardiner.bandcamp.com/album/its-alright

2012 “The Ambitions” The Ambitions
Bandcamp: https://theambitions.bandcamp.com/

Singles and EPs

2021 “Empalago/Sleepy Hollow” Jorge E. Bañales
Bandcamp: https://jorgebanales.bandcamp.com/album/empalago

2020 “Parque Afelio” Jorge E. Bañales
Bandcamp: https://jorgebanales.bandcamp.com/releases

2018 “In that Moment” Caz Gardiner on “Kingston Factory Presents… The East Coast Sessions”
Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/album/5NWRjjeglRHgkHcYz2ZLug?si=zQoJlrJZRS6idtsc-tniEQ&dl_branch=1

2017 “Stop” Caz Gardiner
Bandcamp: https://cazgardiner.bandcamp.com/track/stop

2017 “Everybody” Caz Gardiner
Bandcamp: https://cazgardiner.bandcamp.com/track/everybody

2013 “Caz in Argentina” Caz Gardiner
Bandcamp: https://cazgardiner.bandcamp.com/album/caz-in-argentina

2013 “Caz and the Day Laborer” Caz and the Day Laborers
Bandcamp: https://cazgardiner.bandcamp.com/album/caz-and-the-day-laborers

1998 “Fight for Your Woman” The Checkered Cabs on “NY Ska Mob & Friends: Various”
https://www.discogs.com/Various-NYC-Ska-Mob-Friends/master/981624