Cosmic Debris

11 September - 5 October 2024

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JD Malat Gallery is delighted to announce Cosmic Debris, by acclaimed Mexican artist Horacio Quiroz.
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Horacio Quiroz, Virgin Pregnant with Wisdom, 2024
Artemisia wearing her fertility necklace, 2024, Oil on canvas, 140 x 100 cm

Horacio Quiroz

Horacio Quiroz is a Mexican contemporary artist known for his surreal, figurative compositions. His work blends human anatomy with abstract forms, exploring themes of identity, transformation, and the body. Quiroz's unique visual language challenges conventional notions of beauty and invites viewers to question their perceptions of the self.
Saturn Devouring Their Child, 2024, Oil on canvas, 140 x 100 cm

Artistic Vision

Quiroz's artistic vision delves into the complexities of the human condition. He combines traditional techniques with digital tools to create bold, distorted figures that defy reality. By deconstructing and reimagining the human form, his work reflects on the fluidity of identity and emotions, offering a surreal yet deeply introspective look at the fragility and power of the body.
Apollo and Hyacinthus in an intimate embrace, 2024 Oil on canvas, 140 x 200 cm

Mythological Inspirations

With artwork titles such as Apollo and Hyacinthus in an intimate embrace, this series evokes the celestial beings and divine figures of Greek mythology, where gods and titans embody transformations and fluid states of being. The rocky formations in Quiroz’s paintings similarly echo Greek mythology's tales of creation and metamorphosis. Rocks in Quiroz’s art represent cosmic, geological, and human time, embodying the idea of containing chaos within a volume. This creative flexibility allows him to construct bodies that challenge conventional forms and perceptions of the body, gender and sexuality.
Demeter, Goddess of Fertility, 2024, Oil on canvas, 100 x 70 cm

Human Distortion

Quiroz merges traditional painting methods with digital manipulation, creating a hybrid style that emphasizes anatomical distortion. His vibrant colour palettes and exaggerated forms evoke both discomfort and fascination, reflecting the tension between inner chaos and external appearance. His work invites a deeper exploration of the subconscious and the ever-changing human experience.
Putti Peeing, 2024, Oil on canvas, 100 x 70 cm

Embracing Imperfection

Drawing inspiration from Mexico's vibrant hues and bustling streets, Quiroz’s work delves into humanity's role within the broader ecological narrative. He reflects on the paradox of being star-born entities who have become agents of environmental degradation, inviting viewers to ponder our cosmic origins and our responsibility toward the Earth. The tactile quality of his impasto canvases also invites viewers to reflect on the rugged beauty of chance and circumstance in nature. Working with a palette knife, Quiroz embraces unexpected deviations and imperfections, reflecting the unpredictable nature of life and the cosmos.
Virgin Pregnant with Wisdom, 2024, Oil on canvas, 200 x 140 cm

Words by Horacio Quiroz

“In my paintings, bodies are rendered with rich volumes that defy traditional binaries, presenting themselves as non-binary and intersex. These bodies are fertile, sexual, and exotic, challenging conventional norms and celebrating diversity. Inspired by queer theory, my work seeks to embrace the fluidity of identity. I aim to create a visual dialogue that honours the complexity and multiplicity of human existence, inviting viewers to see beyond the confines of conventional gender and sexuality.”

- Horacio Quiroz
Rich with pictorial and conceptual analogies, Cosmic Debris underlines Quiroz’s place within the age-old art historical dialogue surrounding identity, sexuality, body and earth. Quiroz not only draws inspiration from ancient mythology and the contemporary environment, but also harnesses the complexity of surrealist strategies akin to the renowned Belgian surrealist René Magritte (1898 – 1967), where art strives to balance a rational vision of life with the power of the dreamlike tendencies of the mind. With imagery that displays the familiar in unexpected contexts, Cosmic Debris provokes profound questions about the nature and boundaries of reality and representation.