José Luis Ramírez — Contemporary Art Curator Magazine

May 5

May 5 José Luis Ramírez

Biography

Born in July 1981, he originated in the city of Durango, Durango, Mexico. He graduated from The School of Painting, Sculpture and Crafts of the Juárez University in Durango state (EPEA-UJED).
Throughout his career he has participated in artistic projects of the National Fund for Culture and the Arts and made four murals in the native land: “Mexican Historic Landscape” in the Public Central Library “José Ignacio Caballero”, “New Earth” in the Public Central Library, “The time, the shadow and the shelter” in the Central Building of the UJED, “The Pending Rights” which stands on the walls of the local State Congress.
His artwork has been shown internationally in countries such as China, Austria, United Kingdom, Spain, Egypt, Qatar, Canada, USA and Colombia. It currently has more than 60 individual and collective exhibitions.

Artist Statement

My art lies in a constant play of composition. I seek to represent my reality in a satirical way, I constantly use realistic characters that coexist with others more childish with simpler lines and so creating a mocking speech of society. My work does not seek to recreate the old school of Mexican muralists but to play with dreamlike and dazzling elements inside a classic composition.

What first prompted you to think of becoming an artist?

I was always painting as a child, I started playing soccer when I was a teen but I kept drawing and when I won a national award for one of my paintings I knew I had a responsibility to this trade that I couldn't give up on.

What kind of an artist do you ultimately see yourself?

Concerned about the environment that surrounds me and with firm intentions that my work contributes and serves to modify the environment in which I develop.

What are you hoping to communicate to the viewer through your work?

Rather than hope, I try that what I do currently induces in some way or is the protagonist of something bigger and that it is not a banal work, that is not ornament instead that it criticizes, contradicts and questions but never loses aesthetics.

Can you explain the process of creating your work?

Deconstructive process of images where they're rebuilt, the composition is not necessary.

What is your favourite part of the creative process?

When characters or figures appear that coexist in the same space, in this case, painting, when the surprise factor arises, which in my work is very necessary. Where there were a thousand characters, today there is one, it's necessary and it is what I enjoy the most, is daring to change that.

Can you give us an insight into current projects and inspiration, or what we can look forward to from you in the near future?

My ongoing projects are ever-changing. I wouldn't be able to tell you a specific one. I take inspiration from everything around me, the streets I walk, the towns I visit, the people I meet and at least in the near future I have a couple of interesting invitations for events outside my country, those will be part of my inspiration.

Website https://www.joseluisrmz.com/

Instagram https://www.instagram.com/joseluisramirezmx/

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