Artist: Naufus Ramírez-Figueroa
Curated by: Eva Wittocx
Venue: M – Museum Leuven, Leuven, Belgium
Date: March 11 – August 28, 2022
Photography: all images copyright and courtesy of the artist and M – Museum Leuven
M Leuven is presenting a solo exhibition by Naufus Ramirez-Figueroa (1978,
Guatemala) from 6 May onwards. He creates dreamlike sculptures, installations and performances with elements from literature, folklore, magic and childhood memories.
Playful art, serious themes
“M is committed to offering a platform to emerging major international artists. M is also developing as a place where the public can discover and rediscover artists. Naufus Ramirez-Figueroa’s work has already been shown on numerous international stages, including at the Venice Biennale in 2017. His work is present in prestigious private and public collections at the Guggenheim, Tate and many more,” says Denise Vandevoort, alderman for culture and chair of the board of M.
Naufus Ramirez-Figueroa’s work explores and touches upon various themes in his visual installations, often around elements from the history of his native Guatemala. Ranging from cultural identity, trauma and colonisation to the connection between man and nature.
The exhibition at M shows a selective overview of his diverse artistic practice with spatial installations, sculptures, woodcuts and films. A new group of sculptures developed by the artist last year will also be presented. This new work tells the complex story of silk in Guatemala, touching on Mayan culture and with links to China, Mexico and Spain and other countries.
Eva Wittocx, curator of this exhibition, adds: ”In 2017, M showed a selection of films by Naufus Ramirez-Figueroa. As an M resident in 2018, he brought the new performance ‘Cacaxte’, which can now be seen as a film in this expo.”
Naufus Ramírez-Figueroa, “The House at Kawinal”, 2018, Courtesy of Mendes Wood DM, Sies + Höke, Proyectos Ultravioleta © M Leuven (Photo: Miles Fischler).
Naufus Ramírez-Figueroa, “Cacaxte #1”, sculptural installation, and “Cacaxte #1”, film, both 2018, Collection Catherine Petitgas for the sculptural installation, Courtesy of Mendes Wood DM, Sies + Höke, Proyectos Ultravioleta for the film © M Leuven (Photo: Miles Fischler)
Naufus Ramírez-Figueroa, “Liquid Coral”, 2017, Collection Frac Grand Large – Hauts-de-France © M Leuven (Photo: Miles Fischler)
Naufus Ramírez-Figueroa, “Liquid Coral”, 2017, Collection Frac Grand Large – Hauts-de-France © M Leuven (Photo: Miles Fischler)
Naufus Ramírez-Figueroa, “History of silk in Guatemala #1”, 2022, Courtesy of the artist © M Leuven (Photo: Miles Fischler)
Naufus Ramírez-Figueroa, “Chiperrec”, 2021, detail, Courtesy of Sies + Höke © M Leuven (Photo: Miles Fischler)
Naufus Ramírez-Figueroa, “Dea Ex Machina”, 2021, detail, Courtesy of Sies + Höke © M Leuven (Photo: Miles Fischler)
Naufus Ramírez-Figueroa, “Variación sobre hoja de anturio #5”, 2021, “Chiperrec”, 2021, “Deus Ex Machina”, 2021, “Dea Ex Machina”, 2021, Courtesy of Sies + Höke © M Leuven (Photo: Miles Fischler)
Naufus Ramírez-Figueroa, “Lugar de Consuelo”, 2020, 35 min 26 sec, Courtesy of the artist, Proyectos Ultravioleta © M Leuven (Photo: Miles Fischler)
Naufus Ramírez-Figueroa, “Abstracción Azul”, 2012, 6 min 38 sec, “Three Ghosts”, 2014, 14 min 34 sec, “Illusion of Matter”, 2015, 4 min 57 sec, Courtesy of the artist, Sies + Höke, Proyectos Ultravioleta © M Leuven (Photo: Miles Fischler)