Aleandro Rivera Leal
Alexandro Rivera Leal
B. Mexico City, 1974.
Through my work, I seek to capture the essence of man made objects that transcend their original purpose and become vessels of cultural and spiritual meaning. I am inspired by the rich history of classical painting, where objects often held symbolic and allegorical significance. I strive to revive this tradition in a contemporary context, mixing classical and contemporary techniques to depict objects and spaces rich with detail and beauty.
By placing these objects in surreal and dreamlike settings, I aim to evoke a sense of wonder and contemplation. The juxtaposition of the familiar and the fantastic invites viewers to question the nature of reality and the boundaries between the physical and the metaphysical. I believe that art has the power to transcend the limitations of the mundane and transport us into realms of imagination and transcendence.
My paintings are an exploration of the profound interconnectedness between humans and the objects we create. They depict the ability of humankind to make and enrich objects with cultural and spiritual value, transforming basic mater into symbols of our shared history, beliefs, and aspirations. I hope that through my work, viewers will gain a deeper appreciation for the beauty and significance of the things that we build aurround us, and recognize the profound role they play in describing our capacity to imprint our present day cutlure for future generations to witness.
Ultimately, my intention is to create paintings that ask of the viewer to transcend observing mere representation and enter portals into a deeper realm of consciousness. I strive to engage viewers on an emotional and intellectual level, inviting them to contemplate the nature of reality, the value of beauty, and the enduring power of the human spirit.
Studies
1992-1993 Painting and drawing in the workshops of the El Nigromante Cultural Center (INBA), San Miguel de Allende. Gto.
1994 Engraving, El Nigromante Cultural Center. SMA, Gto,
Select solo exhibitions:
2024 "Mind and Mater" Caldwellsnyder Gallery, Napa Valley Ca.
2023 "The Edification of Dreamscapes" Museo Virreinal of Zinacantepec. Estado de México.
2018 "Fragments " Caldwellsnyder Gallery, San Francisco, California.
"The architecture of Virtue" Bellas Artes Cultural Center (INBA), San Miguel de Allende, Gto.
2017 "Materias" Imagine Studio, San Miguel de Allende, Gto.
2012 “Flora Awaken” Campton Gallery, New York, NY.
2011 "Recent Work" Atelier Gallery, San Miguel de Allende.
2008 "Imaginary Natures" Atelier Gallery, San Miguel de Allende.
2007 "Recent Works" Caldwellsnyder Gallery, San Francisco, Ca.
2006 ''Origins and destination'' Campton Gallery, New York, NY.
2004 “Myths Mirrored”, Trajan Gallery, Carmel Ca.
“Paintings and drawings”, Museum of the city of Queretaro, Qro Mx.
2003 “Five Authors”, Engravings, drawings and plates, Museum of the City of Querétaro, Qro Mx.
2002 “Metaphors of surface”, Campton Gallery. New York, NY.
2001 “Sacred and Profane”, CaldwellSnyder Gallery, San Francisco, Ca.
2000 “Vestiges of the city of the immortals, drawings” Gallery of Contemporary Art. San Miguel de Allende, Gto.
1999 “The Divine Tragedy”, Kunsthaus Santa Fé. San Miguel de Allende, Gto.
1998 “Dreams and Enclosures”, Museum of the City of León, León, Gto.
“Selected paintings”, Casa de Sierra Nevada, San Miguel de Allende, Gto.
1997 “Rivera Leal, Paintings”, Instituto Allende, San Miguel de Allende, Gto.
Select groups:
2018 "300 Years of European Landscapes", Casa Europa, San Miguel de Allende.
2016 "JA Monroy Biennial. CUCSUR. Autlán, Jalisco.
La Calaca, collective exhibition, Obraje forum, San Miguel de A.
2014 "The girl death" National Museum of Mexican Art. Chicago. Il
2013 "La Calaca Festival", Hotel Nena and Casa Europa (Traveling installation). San Miguel de Allende
2005 "Collections, Mexican art in Chicago private collections"
Mexican Fine Arts Center Museum Chicago, Il.
2003 “20th Anniversary exhibit” Caldwellsnyder Gallery San Francisco Ca. / New York.
2001 “Introductions South”, San José Institute of Contemporary Art, San José, Ca.
“The Found Paradise (landscapes)” Museum of the City of Querétaro. Qro.
2000 “The New Mannerism” Museum of the City of Querétaro, Qro.
“Contemporary Figurative”, Casa Lam, México DF
“En Construcción, colección Kunsthaus Sta.Fé” (intinerante) University of Guanajuato, Gto and northern Mexico states.
1997 “Reflections on water” Instituto Allende, San Miguel de Allende, Gto
“The art of drawing” Instituto Allende, San Miguel de Allende, Gto
1995 “Colosio” Palacio de Minas, México DF.
1992 “San Miguel para San Miguel”, El Nigromante Cultural Center, San Miguel de Allende, Gto.
Special projects
2016 "The Black Death" Hotel Matilda, San Miguel de Allende.
Wall installation.
Collections
Museum of the City of León, León Gto.
Museum of Santiago de Queretaro, Queretaro.
National Museum of Mexican Art, Chicago.
