A Celebration of Costa Rican Contemporary Art at Galería Talentum

Opening Tuesday, October 8, Galería Talentum in San José presents a much-anticipated exhibition featuring five artists, four of whom are represented by MÍRAME Fine Art: Sofía Ruiz, Emilia Cantor, Milo Gonzalez, and Pablo Mejías, alongside Jorge Crespo.

Each artist will unveil a new series of works, occupying their own rooms in a unique curation that provides visitors with an intimate insight into their individual practices.

This exhibition promises to be an unmissable event for anyone interested in the evolving landscape of contemporary Costa Rican art.

Read on as we introduce each artist and explore the themes that define their practice.

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Emilia Cantor – Mystical Worlds in "Mundos Ocultos"

Emilia Cantor, Melancolía III, Oil on canvas

Emilia Cantor brings her latest collection, Mundos Ocultos ("Hidden Worlds"), a continuation of her exploration of mystical figures and the fantastical. Known for her blend of classical and contemporary techniques, Cantor invites viewers into a world of mysticism and mystery, populated by otherworldly female figures.

The nine paintings in this series extend the conceptual investigation she began in 2021, offering an enigmatic vision of mystical women whose presence suggests hidden dimensions of reality. Cantor’s use of colour plays a central role here. Vivid hues stand in stark contrast to flat areas of black, creating a balance between light and dark that mirrors the internal tension of the characters themselves. Her figures seem to dwell in dreamscapes, where shadowy faces evoke a sense of the unknowable and the mystical.

Cantor’s training at the Florence Academy of Art, coupled with her role as founder of Costa Rica's first classical art school, the Atelier del Sol, has solidified her reputation as an artist and an educator. This exhibition is a powerful reminder of her technical prowess and her continued ability to create works that feel both classical and contemporary.

Milo Gonzalez – Geometry and Color in "Imágenes Cosmagónicas"

Milo Gonzalez, El Castillo y el Arpa, Oil on canvas

Milo Gonzalez presents Imágenes Cosmagónicas ("Cosmogonical Images"), a collection of six large-format paintings influenced by astrology, a long-standing tool humans have used to understand their place in the universe. Gonzalez uses the symbols and imagery associated with astrology as a loose thematic framework, drawing inspiration from its visual and symbolic richness.

The works, however, are less about the philosophy behind astrology and more concerned with the visual possibilities it offers. Bold, abstract forms dominate his canvases, with Gonzalez focusing on the interaction of colour, shape, and composition. He emphasises that he allows the imagery to guide his creative process. “For me, it’s all about the images and their plasticity. My work focuses on colour, shape, form, and composition. That’s where the real magic happens,” says Gonzalez.

This focus on form and colour results in visually striking works where cosmic imagery is distilled into abstract shapes. Visitors to Gonzalez’s room will experience a sense of vibrant energy and movement as his large-scale canvases unfold before them.

Pablo Mejias – A Journey Through Darkness

Pablo Mejías takes a darker turn in his exhibition, La Naturaleza Erógena de la Monstruosidad ("The Erogenous Nature of Monstrosity"). Known for his dramatic exploration of themes like death, eroticism, and the metaphysical, this exhibition marks a significant moment in Mejías's career as it is his first dedicated solely to drawing.

Mejías typically works with oil, ink, and pencil on paper, employing the grisaille technique—a method emphasising shades of grey to build depth and form. His process includes the use of candles in the studio, which enhances the interplay of light and shadow, creating a haunting atmosphere. Figures often appear submerged in water, symbolising drowning and rebirth, while birds and fish in various states of decay reflect life's impermanence.

The fourteen works on display at Galería Talentum will continue to evoke Mejías's signature themes, inviting viewers to engage with the complexities of existence through the medium of drawing. Each piece is a compelling exploration of the grotesque and the fantastic, offering a reflective experience that resonates with the intricacies of the human condition.

Sofía Ruiz: Exploring Memory and Connection in Rastros

Sofía Ruiz, Un Punto Débil (A soft spot ), Oil and acrylic on canvas

Rastros ("Traces") examines the emotional and psychological marks that shape our lives, transforming personal experiences into compelling visual accounts. This series combines elements of realism and abstraction to evoke a sense of complexity in human experience.

Each piece features layered textures and evocative forms, reflecting the fragmented nature of existence. The intricate surfaces symbolise our internal scars, with the artist allowing the works to develop organically as she reacts to what emerges on the canvas.

Ruiz’s upbringing, marked by her mother’s amnesia and her grandmother’s Alzheimer’s, informs her exploration of disconnection and alienation. Her haunting portraits of children, often accompanied by abstract, animalesque forms, evoke nostalgia and unease, illuminating the complexities of familial bonds.

Despite the weighty themes, Ruiz’s art conveys a sense of hope and resilience. Viewers are prompted to reflect on their own fragmented memories and find comfort in the shared experience of navigating an imperfect world. Ultimately, Rastros serves as a profound exploration of memory, identity, and the delicate connections that shape our existence, making it a significant contribution to the exhibition at Galería Talentum.

Jorge Crespo – Migration and Self-Discovery in "Migrantes"

Jorge Crespo, the founder of Taller Bastidor Solitario, presents Migrantes ("Migrants"), a deeply philosophical exploration of migration, both literal and metaphorical. Crespo’s intaglio works, incorporating mezzotint and etching, reflect on migration as more than just the movement from one physical space to another. Instead, he views it as a journey of self-discovery that can lead to feelings of dislocation, loss, and denaturalization.

Crespo’s work has been widely exhibited across Latin America and the United States, and his contributions to the Costa Rican art scene have been significant. His presentation at Galería Talentum promises to be both thought-provoking and emotionally resonant.

Galería Talentum: A Space for Artistic Exploration

Galería Talentum, which opened its doors in September 2022, has quickly become a vital space for artists in San José. The gallery, shared with Orvieto Restaurant, is a place where emerging and established artists coexist, offering visitors the chance to engage with art in a relaxed and intimate setting. The current exhibition reflects the gallery’s mission: to support emerging artists while providing a platform for more experienced practitioners to share their work.

With its focus on distinct artistic voices and its carefully considered curation, this exhibition is a must-see for anyone in San José. Whether you’re drawn to the mystical worlds of Emilia Cantor, the formal rigor of Milo Gonzalez, the dark visions of Pablo Mejías, or the deeply personal explorations of Sofía Ruiz, or Jorge Crespo's reflection on migration, there is something here to engage every viewer.

Exhibition details

Inauguration: Tuesday 8 October, 6.30pm (CST)

Exhibition on until 30 November 2024

Venue: Galería Talentum