The days are approaching for the grand inauguration and award ceremony of the II Edition of the CROMA Biennial of Art, taking place on Thursday, October 3rd at 6:30 pm (CST) in the Salon El Candil of the Costa Rica Country Club, Escazu.

This much-anticipated event promises to showcase the breadth of contemporary artistic talent in Costa Rica. Among the many remarkable artists participating, we are spotlighting five outstanding creators represented by MÍRAME Fine Art: Jesús Mejía, Aimée Joaristi, Osvaldo Sequeira, Sofía Ruiz, and Daniela Marten Rothe.

In the following sections, we’ll take a closer look at their stories, their creative processes, and what makes their work stand out at the CROMA Biennial of Art 2024.

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Jesus Mejia: Latin American Neo-Academic Painting

Jesus Mejia in his studio, 2024 (Photography by Julio Sequeira)

Jesus Mejia, one of Costa Rica’s most promising young artists, has gained recognition for his use of light and shadow, drawing on Baroque techniques to explore contemporary social issues. Mejia’s distinctive approach, which he terms "contemporary neo-academicism," blends tenebrism with symbolic realism, producing emotionally resonant works that delve into themes of family, faith, and memory.

His participation in the CROMA Biennial represents a significant moment in his career, as his work increasingly draws attention. In addition to CROMA, later this month he will enjoy a major solo show titled “Vitacor al Soño Eterno” (Diary of the Eternal Dream), at Casa Jiménez Sancho, Galería de la UNED, Cartago. This new series offers a reflection on aging, caregiving, and the fragile nature of memory, stemming from his personal experience with his grandmother’s Alzheimer’s disease.

Mejia's paintings, steeped in personal history and the broader Latin American experience, are redefining the boundaries of intimate portraiture and figurative art.

Aimée Joaristi: A Political and Poetic Vision

Aimée Joaristi in her studio, 2024 (Photography by Julio Sequeira)

Aimée Joaristi, born in Havana and raised in Spain, uses her art to navigate deeply personal and political landscapes. Her Cuban heritage, combined with her connection to Costa Rica’s natural environment, drives her exploration of themes such as female empowerment, Cuban migration, and the pandemic.

Characterised by expressionist strokes, Joaristi’s canvases feature dramatic contrasts and pulsating colours, creating depth and visual narratives that reveal intricate details of faces, figures, objects, and architectural outlines. Her work often reflects echoes of nostalgia and wistful memories.

Having enjoyed a large solo exhibition in April 2024 at the Calderón Guardia Museum in San José, Joaristi’s international presence continues to grow, with her participation in the “Blind Date” exhibition in Madrid next year, curated by Vicente Todolí.

Osvaldo Sequeira: The Human Figure Reimagined

Osvaldo Sequeira in his studio, 2023 (Photography by Julio Sequeira)

Through his figurative paintings, Osvaldo Sequeira presents Costa Rican life, focusing on intimate moments and personal narratives. His background in animation and design informs his precise and evocative technique, often portraying Costa Rica’s beaches or bustling city scenes with a deep emotional resonance.

Influenced by impressionist masters like Joaquín Sorolla and Gustave Caillebotte, Sequeira practices en plein air painting, recording scenes directly from nature. This method not only enhances his observational skills but also infuses his works with a brilliant light and an authentic sense of place. Sequeira’s works are observational and deeply introspective.

Sequeira’s recent exhibition at the IDB Staff Association Art Gallery in Washington DC has helped him gain recognition in international circles, further elevating his status as a leading Costa Rican artist.

Sofía Ruiz: Memory, Identity, and Fragmented Childhood

Sofía Ruiz in her studio

It's also been a great month for Ruiz who this month won The Best Overseas Artist Award at the Women in Art Prize 2024, an award that reinforces her growing reputation on the global stage.

Ruiz' haunting works speak to the complexities of memory and family. Raised by a mother with amnesia and a grandmother suffering from Alzheimer’s, Ruiz’s art reflects the surreal and often disorienting experience of memory loss. Her portraits frequently depict children in surreal, dreamlike scenarios, often accompanied by abstract, animal-like figures that hint at deeper emotional undercurrents. These works evoke a strong sense of nostalgia and yearning, drawing the viewer into an exploration of their own hidden emotions and fragmented memories.

Ruiz views her art as a reflection of the unseen flaws of childhood, where disjointed memories and distorted experiences intersect. Though she tackles profound themes, her work retains an element of beauty and hope. It invites the audience into a space of introspection, encouraging contemplation while celebrating the resilience and strength of the human spirit.

Daniela Marten Rothe: Eroticism and Feminine Energy

Daniela Marten Rothe in her studio, 2023 (Photography by Julio Sequeira)

Daniela Marten Rothe’s work explores themes of eroticism, tropicalism, and feminine energy, drawing inspiration from figures like Anaïs Nin and artists such as Georgia O’Keeffe. Her subjects often include flora, petals, and leaves, creating a sensual dialogue between nature and the human experience.

Her painting, “La Diosa Lenguona”, won first prize at the inaugural CROMA Biennial of art, cementing her place as a leading voice in Costa Rican contemporary art.

In her Hatching Goddesses series, Marten Rothe explores life cycles and creation through layered, textured compositions. Each work symbolises birth, renewal, and feminine strength, with the use of raw materials like clay and cut canvases adding a dynamic, tactile feel. In Sensual Tropical Limbic, her vibrant palette depicts erotic floral forms mixed with religious iconography, addressing female sexual oppression.

As a founding member of Quiero Pintar, an initiative advocating for the recognition of living female artists, she has become a powerful advocate for women's representation in the art world.

Looking Ahead to the II Edition of the CROMA Biennial of Art

This year’s edition of the CROMA Biennial of Art promises to be another milestone in Costa Rica’s contemporary art landscape, offering a platform for these remarkable voices to gain broader recognition.

Mark your calendars and join us at the Costa Rica Country Club to witness the creativity and impact of these artists, as well as to discover the next generation of award-winning talent.

II Edition | CROMA Biennial of Art | Costa Rica Country Club, Escazu