M Leuven presents Naufus Ramírez-Figueroa’s solo exhibition
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M Leuven is presenting a solo exhibition by Naufus Ramírez-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 Ramírez-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 Ramírez-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 Ramírez-Figueroa. As an M resident in 2018, he brought the new performance 'Cacaxte', which can now be seen as a film in this expo."
Time and Again
At the same time, M opens an exhibition of regional talent. International curator Melanie Bühler (Frans Hals Museum, the Netherlands) selected 13 candidates out of 370 entries for Open M. M shows the selected artists in the group exhibition 'Open M: Time and Again' from 6 May onwards.
Practical Information
‘Open M: Time and Again' and the exhibition by Naufus Ramírez-Figueroa will be opened on Thursday 5 May at 20:00. Admission is free and there is no need to register.
‘Open M: Time and Again' runs from 6 May 2022 to 28 August 2022. For info and tickets, go to mleuven.be/openM. Naufus Ramírez-Figueroa’s exhibition runs from 6 May 2022 to 30 October 2022. For more information and tickets, go to mleuven.be/en/naufus.
The press preview takes place on Wednesday 4 May in the presence of curator Eva Wittocx and Naufus Ramírez-Figueroa.
Start: 10.45 AM
Guided tour of the room: 11:00 AM, with the possibility of an interview
Interviews with Naufus Ramírez-Figueroa are available on request
%20Courtesy%20of%20the%20artist%2C%20Sies%20%2B%20H%C3%B6ke%20D%C3%BCsseldorf%2C%20foto%20Simon%20Vogel_5.jpg "Naufus Ramírez-Figueroa, Deus Ex Machina, 2021, Variación sobre hoja de anturio #4 & #5, 2021 (c) Courtesy of the artist, Sies + Höke Düsseldorf, foto Simon Vogel_5")
%20Times%20Art%20Center%20Berlin%2C%20courtesy%20of%20the%20artist%2C%20foto%20Jens%20Ziehe_2.tif "Naufus Ramírez-Figueroa, Chiperrec, 2021 (c) Times Art Center Berlin, courtesy of the artist, foto Jens Ziehe_2")
%20Courtesy%20of%20the%20artist%2C%20Sies%20%2B%20H%C3%B6ke%20D%C3%BCsseldorf%2C%20foto%20Maris%20Hutchinson%2C%20EPW%20Studio_2.jpg "Naufus Ramírez-Figueroa, The House at Kawinal, 2018 (c) Courtesy of the artist, Sies + Höke Düsseldorf, foto Maris Hutchinson, EPW Studio_2")
%20Courtesy%20of%20the%20artist%2C%20foto%20Robert%20Beske_2.tif "Naufus Ramírez-Figueroa, Lugar de Consuelo, 2021 (c) Courtesy of the artist, foto Robert Beske_2")
