Novicio, Novel, Novato

The creative process of Héctor Jiménez Castillo (Veracruz, MX – 1992; lives and works in Guadalajara, MX) begins intuitively. The paintings and sculptures found in the space are born from that unconscious nature.

It’s a process that relies on coincidences and the randomness of gestures through material experimentation, giving rise to a particular universe: Worlds and characters with unique laws that rely on the canon to overflow, using pictorial stains as potency. Over the past few months, the artist has compiled images related to funeral rites from different cultures, specifically those images made for those who had closed their eyes, representations for the dead: the older audience.

Novicio, novel, novato (Novice, novel, newcomer) establishes a dialogue between a brand-new series of small acrylic paintings on linen and a set of sculptures made with moldable foam, resembling altarpieces, mosaics, or friezes. Images of a crowd that could well be the same subject, or the passage of time and the body accompanying it. Sometimes they fight, other times they hold each other frenetically, and on other occasions, they simply look over the landscape. Above all, they are beings who observe.

Novice, novel, newcomer.

Verve, impetus, and nerve.

Load, task, or spark.

Trance, transition, passing.

Dazed, drowsy.

Lineage, emblem, or cradle.

Obstacle,

Quirk

And refrain.

CONDO is a large-scale collaborative exhibition of international galleries founded by Vanessa Carlos in 2016. The initiative encourages the evaluation of existing models, pooling resources and acting communally to propose an environment that is more conducive for experimental gallery exhibitions to take place internationally. For its 2024 edition, 40 galleries will collaboratively exhibit across 20 Mexico City Spaces.