Treasures of the Night
Gilberto López-Elías
Through cultural cannibalism of art history, popular culture and social media, I perform personal capriccios in dialogue with Christian and Catholic representational hegemonies. Through multiple graphic languages, I appropriate existing profane or sacred images to generate a Sacra Conversazione from the performativity of the graphic image.
The materiality of my practice, extending the reproducible nature of the printed image using ephemeral or utilitarian objects (discarded books, used clothing, fabric, etc.), has been significant in expanding the performative foundation of the graphic event. Lately I’ve been adapting my visual language to digital video and online platforms to expand the experience of physical interaction with the work, allowing me to explore new possibilities of scale and interactivity.
Installation. Screen print on paper, dimension variable. Photo credit: Neighboring States
Installation. Video projection, screen print in paper, dimension variable. Photo credit: Neighboring States
Installation. Video projection. Dimension variable. Photo credit: Neighboring States
Installation. Triptych print on HDPE, 44.5” x 78” each. Photo credit: Neighboring States
Installation. Dimensions variable. Photo credit: Neighboring States
Installation. Dimensions variable. Photo credit: Neighboring States
Installation. Dimension variable. Photo credit: Neighboring States
Installation. Dimension variable. Photo credit: Neighboring States
Installation. Dimension variable. Photo credit: Neighboring States
Gilberto López-Elías
TYL Printmaking MFA, ‘21
IG: @sssangil
Gilberto López-Elías (1980) lives and works in Guanajuato, Mexico. He received his BFA from the University of Guanajuato, Mexico, in 2009; and his MFA from Tyler School of Art, Temple University in 2021.
Solo exhibitions include Jardinero, jardinero. Instituto Cultural de Aguascalientes.
Aguascalientes, Mexico; Entre las azucenas olvidado. Instituto de Arte y Cultura de Celaya. Guanajuato, Mexico; Jubileo. Museo Dieguino. Guanajuato, Mexico. (2019); SHY
PORNOGRAPHER. La Saliva Gallery. Guanajuato, Mexico. (2017); PROVIDENTISSIMUS.
Cultural Institute of Leon. Guanajuato, Mexico.(2011). Group exhibitions include 9 de
Guanajuato. Cervantine International Festival. Museo Casa Diego Rivera, Guanajuato,
Mexico; Campal de cuatro. Galería Jesús Gallardo. León, Gto. Mexico.(2019); Salón ACME
Art Fair. Mexico City. Chapter 2: System failure. International Festival of Contemporary Art.
Leon, Gto. Mexico. (2016); On shoulders of giants. El Eco Experimental Museum. Mexico
City. What's the wave? Sculpture Installation Space Studio Arts. Iowa City, Iowa. US. (2014);
Kunsthaus Miami Presents. Kunsthaus Gallery. Miami, Florida, USA. Nothing to Declare.
Contemporary Art International Festival. Leon, Gto. Kunsthaus Santa Fe Presents. Kunsthaus Santa Fe Gallery. San Miguel de Allende. Gto Mexico. (2009).
Grants, fellowships and residencies include: Temple University Rome (2019-20); Vermont Studio Center. Johnson, Vermont, US. (December 2018); The Fabric Workshop and Museum Summer 2016 Apprentice Training Program Philadelphia, PA. US. (2016); FONCA. Young Creators. Visual Arts / Printmaking. (2014-15); Grant of the State Institute of Culture of Guanajuato. Stimuli to the Artistic creation. Young Creators. (2010); Vermont Studio Center. Johnson, Vermont, US. (December 2018).