MAREO

(b. 1981, MX)

Born in 1981 in Mexico City, Mexico, raised in Medellín, Colombia, and currently working and residing in Barcelona, Spain, Mario Rodríguez is a contemporary artist best known under the name MAREO. The internationally acclaimed artist is best known for his foundation in both art and architecture, reflecting a deep reverence for the natural world and its ability to evoke spiritual transformation.

MAREO’s artistic approach spans diverse mediums, including sculpture, painting, installation, and digital art. He draws inspiration from nature’s dynamic processes, transforming motifs such as fissures, undulations, and voids into symbols of resilience and renewal. These motifs resonate on both a physical and spiritual level, reflecting his belief in the interconnectedness of humanity and the natural world. Among his influences, Mareo acknowledges artists like Lucio Fontana, whose spatial experiments broke new ground in art, and Anish Kapoor, whose exploration of voids mirrors Mareo’s own fascination with absence and transformation.

Using his architectural background to form his sculptural and artistic endeavors, his works are renowned for their minimalist aesthetic and geometric precision, which evoke the raw elegance of natural landscapes. Through his art, Mareo explores concepts such as rupture, healing, and interconnectedness, employing nature’s forms as metaphors for the human condition. MAREO’s artistic practice is rooted in a profound respect for the natural world, which he sees as both a source of inspiration and a mirror to the soul. His artworks aim to create a realm where physical landscapes transform into metaphors for inner emotional journeys. At the heart of his philosophy is the belief that art can serve as a portal to deeper understanding, healing, and connection. “Through my work,” Mareo explains, “I explore the dialogue between matter and light, between the tangible and the sacred, inviting viewers to embrace both their vulnerabilities and their potential for growth.”

MAREO, Black Mantle (Portal 3), 2024. Courtesy of the Artist and Load gallery

MAREO, White Frequencies (Portal 1), 2024. Courtesy of the artist and Load Gallery.

MAREO, Cave (Portal 4), 2024. Courtesy of the artist and Load Gallery.

Installation view of "MAREO: Portals" (2024) at Load Gallery in Barcelona, Spain.

His most recent series, Portals, captures these themes with particular poignancy. Lightning, rocky surfaces, and the sea function as natural elements, creating portals of light, as if the otherworldly is on the other side of the portal. By doing so, through the interplay of light, shadow, and materiality, MAREO constructs immersive spaces for introspection and personal discovery. MAREO’s Portals series found an ideal home at Load Gallery, located in Barcelona’s vibrant Poblenou district, renowned for its cutting-edge approach to exhibiting digital and multimedia art.

Using the gallery’s bespoke next-generation screens and immersive sound systems, Mareo has been able to reimagine his works in a digital format without losing their tactile essence. Load Gallery’s innovative setup enhances the ethereal quality of his art while maintaining a tangible connection through additional physical installations, such as Mareo’s striking LED sculptures. “Load Gallery offers the perfect setting for my exploration of the dialogue between matter and light,” Mareo notes. “Their commitment to pushing artistic boundaries aligns seamlessly with my own vision.” A match made in heaven—and perhaps that is exactly what lies beyond those portals.

Mario Rodríguez holds an MFA from the Universidad Nacional de las Artes in Buenos Aires, Argentina, a BA in architecture from the Universidad Pontificia Bolivariana in Medellín, Colombia, and an MA in Desing from ELISAVA in Barcelona, Spain. His works have been showcased in leading art events and venues worldwide, including solo exhibitions such as at Valletta Contemporary in Valletta, Malta and group showcases alongside renowned artists like Christo and Jeanne-Claude at Hexton Gallery in Aspen, the United States of America. His participation in the Istanbul Triennial with a site-specific installation and the Sharjah Islamic Arts Festival in the UAE exemplify his global appeal. As a result, private collectors and institutions, from Italy’s Palazzo Ferrero to the Black Gold Museum in Saudi Arabia, have acquired MAREO’s works, underscoring his stature in the contemporary art world.

For more information, please consult MAREO’s exhibition profile at Load Gallery here.

Last Updated on November 25, 2024