Maria Arvelaiz-Gordon was born in Tucupido, Venezuela and attended the School of Art in Cristobal Rojas – Caracas. In 1975, she moved to England and studied at Chelsea School of Art where she graduated with honors in Art and Design in 1979. In November 1980 she moved to Paris, where she currently lives and works.
She has exhibited since 1982 in major European cities including Paris, London, Rome and Munich. She also was featured in the first and second Havana Biennale, one of the most important art events for contemporary art. Her work has been shown twice in the Venuzuelan Embassy to France.