Artist Mario Oliva is presenting a group exhibition titled “Through the Color Wheel: Seeking Light Through Color in Times of Darkness” at his gallery, located within the Fábrica La Aurora in San Miguel de Allende. The exhibition brings together art, color, and social consciousness.
This initiative emerged in response to various social situations and events that have occurred in Mexico and around the world over the last few years—such as the pandemic, road closures, and episodes of violence. “We have lived through very difficult times. From the global shutdown caused by the pandemic to roadblocks and violent acts that disrupt daily life—as artists, we asked ourselves what we could do about it,” Oliva explained in an interview.
The project is based on the use of complementary colors to construct a visual and symbolic narrative regarding the search for light amidst contexts of uncertainty. The first stage began in April with blue and orange; the current stage features the combination of red and green; it will subsequently continue with violet and yellow, concluding with a general retrospective and a final exhibition in black and white.
“Complementary colors appear to be opposites, but in reality, they complement one another. That is where the semiotics of the project begin,” the artist remarked.
Each participant creates work based on their personal interpretation of color and the specific social moment they are currently experiencing. The intention is to foster reflection through art without aligning with any specific political or ideological movements.
“We are neither politicians nor guerrillas; we are artists. We may not be able to change everything, but we can certainly generate a proposal—a conversation, an attempt to foster social consciousness,” he noted.
The exhibition brings together between seven and ten artists per stage, including both national and international creators of various ages and backgrounds. Participants include the artist Nurcuri from Mexico City; Compadlo Zamora; and Marcela Sotelo from Argentina, as well as guest artists who rotate with each new installment.
Oliva highlighted the participation of artist Lucía Maya and the inclusion of young creator Omar Benjamín García de Alva—a 12-year-old artist—in a project that seeks to unite different generations within a single exhibition space. “I was telling Lucía Maya that the purpose of the project was to foster awareness and unity. I mentioned that I would be exhibiting alongside Omar Benjamín García de Alva—a 12-year-old artist who already has an established track record. That encounter between established artists and those of us just starting out felt important to me,” he remarked.
Currently, Fábrica La Aurora houses around 70 galleries and a community of over 200 artists working in various disciplines. Oliva has been based within the complex for nearly 19 years—first in Area C, and later in the space known as “the studio,” where he creates his work and coordinates group exhibitions.
“We all have the opportunity to make a difference. If art can spark a conversation or sow the seeds of reflection, then it is worth the effort,” he affirmed.
The exhibition will remain open to the public at Mario Oliva’s gallery within Fábrica La Aurora, as part of a series of thematic exhibitions scheduled to continue over the coming months.
Source: oem
